Crews from the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority (MRCA) yesterday repaired a broken board and two missing fence slats along Timmins' Gillies Lake boardwalk.
“The damage to the Gillies Lake Boardwalk has been repaired,” an update to the MRCA Facebook page noted late this afternoon.
Earlier in the day the Facebook page advised walkers, joggers and cyclists that a section of the boardwalk was going to be repaired due several reports of damage along the popular walk way along the western side of Gillies Lake.
“We have had minor vandalism in the past such as lights knocked out and some spray painted graffiti but never someone damaging the boardwalk itself,” said Crystal Spekking–Percival the communications specialist for MRCA.
“This current vandalism likely resulted because someone noticed a rotting board and decided to kick it in,” said Spekking-Percival trying to figure out why anyone would cause damage to such a popular city attraction.
The two fence slats leading to the adjoining property were kicked, but there was also a section of boardwalk itself that was kicked in resulting in a gaping hole that was a potential hazard to walkers and cyclists alike.
According to Spekking-Percival, it cost about $100 to repair the damage.
While the crews were doing the repairs to the vandalized boards, they also did a bit of preventative maintenance and replaced a few other aging boards that showed signs of excessive rot.
“Might as well be proactive,” Spekking-Percival said.
If you see anyone vandalizing the board walk or other parts of the Gillies Lake Trail please call Mattagami Conservation Area at (705) 360-2660.
