For several days now, residents of Frelighsburg have been unable to swim in the waters of the Brochets River or play ball games on the municipal field. The Municipality learned in the spring that it was not complying with insurers’ standards.
These bans were put in place following a visit by an insurance inspector. The Municipality indicates that insurers tightened the screws because several installations do not meet standards.
For example, river water quality tests should be conducted regularly, which is not currently the case. A lifeguard should also be present at all times to monitor swimmers due to the current. A sign has also been placed on the banks of the Brochets River to warn potential swimmers of the danger it represents.
The municipal field is also in the insurers’ sights and deemed non-compliant. Ball sports, such as softball and baseball, have been banned there. This is because other sports facilities are too close to the ball field, and fences will have to be built.
Frelighsburg Mayor Lucie Dagenais says the municipality is in a period of reflection on what will happen to these recreational sites. She assures that citizens will be consulted on what will happen next. Based on that, we will decide how to move forward.
Open in full screen mode
Lucie Dagenais is the mayor of Frelighsburg.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Zoé Bellehumeur
Bans that spark discontent
These bans are poorly received by some citizens who have been used to playing baseball on the municipal field for years, or who use the Brochets River to cool off.
According to Sylvie Poirier, a citizen, it is one of the only bodies of water in the region where you can swim.
In Bedford, Stanbridge, Frelighsburg, there is no public swimming pool, water point, water games for children, she explains.
I understand that people are angry and find it ridiculous that we are doing this, but we are not doing it because we wanted to do it one morning. We did not wake up and wonder what we could do today to cause controversy in the municipality. […] If we do it, it’s because we consider it to be the best thing to do, emphasizes Lucie Dagenais.
The mayor estimates that the labor required to meet the standards as well as the work could cost more than $100,000, a heavy financial burden to bear for a municipality of only 600 doors.
2024-08-01 19:42:07
#swimming #Pike #River #ball #games #Frelighsburg
