City rolls out charging stations for wheelchairs, mobility scooters

They'll be on the boardwalk and at city-owned venues including Bondar tent pavilion

Blue electrical outlets marked with blue-and-white 'charge station' signs will soon be appearing on the boardwalk and city-owned venues across the city

To help users of mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs go the distance, Sault Ste. Marie is introducing a citywide network of designated charging stations.

The roll-out was disclosed this past week to citizens attending a city-organized public session on removing accessibility barriers.

Participants at the well-attended Friday session were told the new stations will consist of blue electrical outlets marked with blue-and-white 'charge station' signs.

Ten of the new stations will be indoors at city-owned venues.

Nancie Scott, the city's accessibility coordinator, told SooToday other stations will be installed on the boardwalk and at Roberta Bondar tent pavilion.

The City of Sarnia and County of Lambton introduced a similar program three years ago.

Within a year, the initiative was expanded with the City of Sarnia offering $500 grants to private businesses to create their owm publicly accessible stations.

All that's needed is a standard electrical outlet and a city-supplied sign.

A city official told the Sarnia Observer there's virtually no cost to a charging station – a typical charge cost just 17 to 25 cents.

Barrier removal projects planned for this year include:

$32,000 to install an accessible viewing area at John Rhodes Community Centre – Arena 2
$20,000 commitment to maintain the vulnerable persons registry
$10,000 to maintain the TextNet TTY telephone service
$10,000 for improving curb cuts
$10,000 for accessible pedestrian signals
$2,000 for the John Rhodes pool
$1,000 to maintain the John Rhodes arena sledge

Next year, an additional $34,000 will be spent to complete the accessible viewing area at the Rhodes.

The Downtown Association and the local accessibility advisory committee are working to improve access to about 50 businesses with single-step barriers.

Portable barrier-free ramps are being provided through the StopGap program.

One was delivered last week to Camera Craft at 716 Queen St. East.

Sault Transit advised last week's meeting that bus shelters on Mary Avenue, 819 Trunk Rd. and Great Northern Nursing Centre are scheduled for replacement this year.

A new transit shelter has been installed at Heritage Home Hardware Building Centre at 594 Second Line East.