ELORA – Centre Wellington Council has decided to pause the Victoria Park Elora Stairs project.
In July, a design was completed and a tender was issued for new stairs that were designed to be built over top of the existing stairs, to provide access to the water, while improving accessibility and safety.
At yesterday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, a report presented by staff explained the project cost is higher than previously anticipated, coming in at $625,000, almost $250,000 more than budgeted.
It was recommended to council to hold off on the project while staff look at more opportunities for funding, which could take months or even years to secure.
That had Councillor Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy concerned.
Mayor Shawn Watters recognized the stairs into the Gorge as an important gateway to that part of the community.
The committee approved pausing the project and directed staff to report back before the 2025 budget.
Council will need to ratify this at a future meeting.
In the meantime the current stairs will remain as is and staff say they will advise Council if conditions warrant closing the stairs due to risk concerns.
Currently, the stairs are closed in winter as they are not maintained for winter conditions.
You can read the full report here.
