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Campers rally to save Pointe Des Chenes campground (6 photos)

Money needed to fix property’s water problems small in the grand scheme, city councillor says

"We’re here to show city council our dislike of the decision they came up with on February 8th to close Pointe Des Chenes campground.”

That from Guylaine Poitras, who along with Karen White, acts as a spokesperson for Save Pointe Des Chenes Campground, at a rally consisting of approximately 100 people who enjoyed that campground annually, gathered at the corner of Great Northern Road and McNabb Street Saturday.

“They did not want to spend $275,000 to fix the water problem in the park. There is benzene in the water...but we’ve always had our own water which we brought in.”

“There are people here who are willing to fundraise to keep this park open. We can come up with better solutions than to just close it down,” Poitras said, speaking to SooToday.

To annual Sault and Algoma park visitors, the location is a place for family and friends to enjoy summer camping, form extended families, an attraction for out of town tourists and a long standing cultural site.

“We received an email from city council...that we have two weeks to get our stuff out of that campground...I don’t know what the hurry is if they have no plans for this property,” Poitras said.

“We just want them (council) to hear us and come back to the table and talk to the citizens that want this campground open.”

“I’m here to support the people who are rallying...their voices are definitely heard by me,” said Ward 5 city councillor Matt Scott, who voted, along with two other councillors, to keep the camp ground open (but who were outvoted 7-3 at the Feb. 8 council meeting).”

“I was in favour of keeping it open because it’s an absolute staple of the city...it was a little slice of heaven,” Scott said.

“I think we should have spent the money to replace any pumping and water systems...it’s a balance (between financial prudence and quality of life).”

“If it’s $275,000 over the span of 40 years (to fix the site’s water problems), what is that in the grand scheme of things?” Scott said.

For earlier SooToday coverage of this story, click here.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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