An important community improvement project in Timmins received strong support today as Union Gas announced it is providing $3,000 to help fund the construction of a boardwalk on the south shore of Gillies Lake.
The Gillies Lake South Shore Promenade project will not only provide better, safer access to the water for conservation area users but will also protect the shoreline from further erosion and provide improved habitat for fish.
“At Union Gas, we believe in investing to safeguard the environment so we can all share in its many benefits,” said Michel Goulet, Union Gas utility services construction manager. “We’re proud to support the important work that the Wintergreen Fund for Conservation, Timmins Chamber of Commerce and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority are doing on environmental conservation in this community, a goal we as a company share.”
Fundraising and planning for the 50-metre-long boardwalk has been overseen by the latter three community partners, which kicked off the project in September 2012.
The Chamber helped launch the related Buy-a-Board fundraising campaign through its Business Takes the Lead program, an initiative designed to rally Timmins’ business community around a single community improvement project. Based on feedback from its business members, the Chamber selected the Gillies Lake south shore boardwalk as its focus for 2012-2014.
“Our local businesses have been tremendous supporters of this particular initiative, and it’s very encouraging to see Union Gas step up to help us with this great project,” said 2013-2014 Chamber President Phil Barton. “They’re a terrific supporter of our community, and today’s donation to this project is another sign of how important Gillies Lake is to the people of Timmins. It really is one of the jewels of our community, and the Buy-a-Board campaign is all about making it even better.”
Individual boards can be purchased as a gift or in memoriam at $50 each through the Buy-a-Board campaign. For more information on supporting the project, please contact the Wintergreen Fund at (705) 360-2660, send an email to [email protected], or visit the MRCA website.
