By Tyler Marr

Anxiety high as deadline looms for North Bay residents

Jun 28, 2017 | 8:00 AM

It has been just over two months since residents at North Bay Mobile Home Park received letters saying they may have to vacate their properties come Sept. 30.

On April 20, a letter was distributed to residents from their landlord James Wankel saying owners may have to vacate their properties this fall as the park has lost its permit to operate sewage works at the nearby lagoon. The lagoon was built in 1969 and is not operating within modern standards according to the Water Security Agency.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Wankel said he is exploring many options at the moment but was frustrated he was not getting anywhere with the option to hook up to the city’s septic line.

“This is the simplest and best option and the most cost effective,” he said.

Wankel was also examining the idea of purchasing the plot of land around the lagoon. There is one roadblock though, as a home sits on the property. He was also looking at what the price tag on an upgrade and expansion of the lagoon could be. 

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However, he said the property owner may not be interested in selling, making this a “hypothetical right now.”

He said talks with those inside the ministry had been going slow but well. He acknowledged the anxiety residents are facing and said, “this is bureaucracy at its best.”

“This is the head banging I have been doing for the last couple years. No one wants to step up to provide a viable option,” Wankel added.

But with each passing day, the looming deadline is starting to take its toll on the residents in the park.

“My door does not stop. People are always coming and asking, ‘what is going on?’ and I don’t have any solid answers,” park manager Kathy Brandoline said. “Some of the residents can’t sleep at night and it is really hard for the older people.”

These comments came after a committee that was formed at an initial gathering in May came together last week to discuss updates and spitball ideas on how to save themselves from eviction. Though some residents were optimistic a solution would be found, others are not holding up as well.

According to Brandoline, some have looked at the idea of leaving and a few have even stopped paying rent.

“We are all lost,” she said.

Committee members also tossed around the possibility of seeking an extension on the closure of their lagoon from the Water Security Agency. But, as the issue has been ongoing for decades, many fear the agency may not be willing to allow the lagoon to operate for much longer.

Executive Director of Environmental and Municipal Management Services Sam Ferris said the agency is willing to work with the various parties to find an alternative solution, but reasonable timelines and defined commitments would need to be in place before an extension could even be considered.

“We need a well defined solution with timelines and written commitments to do it and some indication of the financial ability or plan to get there,” Ferris said.

Despite the many concerns with the lagoon, Ferris said there is the opportunity to refurbish the lagoon or develop an aerated lagoon system. This could help reduce the buffer zone needed between the lagoon and residence.

“When air is pumped into the cell the odour concern isn’t there as much,” he said. “But we still need to look into all the factors involved. There is more cost to an aerated lagoon, so some of those things he (Wankel) needs to consider.”

More recently, the committee had a private meeting with the City of Prince Albert. Brandoline said Mayor Greg Dionne was going to “look into it personally.”

But Brandoline said the consideration comes as little comfort. She said everyone is “really concerned for our well being” yet no one “wants to do anything.”

Dionne confirmed he would step up to assist where he could. He said he had encouraged the residents to meet the Minister of Environment and offered to extend the olive branch to help get the needed people to the table.

“I certainly feel for them,” Dionne said. 

He did, however, quickly slap down any suggestion of North Bay hooking up to the city septic line. Rather, he suggested they look to install septic tanks or attempt to repair or improve the lagoon.

Ultimately, Dionne said somebody has to “hold the owners accountable.”

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr