Power issue partly buried

Brad Rowter, Director of Engineering & Works for the Region, presented three options for bringing electricity to the Queens Place recreation complex development area.

The first option involved the standard street pole and lighting that is typical for most of Queens County.

The second option involved running power lines along the edge of the property beside Highway 103, and then burying the lines for commercial lots fronting Queens Place. This would also allow for decorative lighting similar to lighting at Privateer Park, with no visible power lines.

Rowter added that with this different type of lighting, it would give better illumination to Queens Place Drive and in turn increase the safety factor.

The third option involved burying all of the lines throughout the development area, with the same type of lighting as option two.

The costs of the projects would be $40,000, $272,000 and $475,000 respectively.

Council voted unanimously to proceed with option 2 after a lengthy discussion.

“It would be a crime to spend $20-million (on Queens Place) and then buy five cent lights,” said Counc. Brian MacDougall.

The project costs will fall outside of the Region’s original budget for the Queens Place Development, but councillors felt it was a worthwhile investment.

“If you come in as a developer, and see (we) don’t care, then they’ll do the same. If you make it look good, the developer will be more likely to do the same,” said Counc. Gene Wong.