City councillors are about to face a deluge of input on the future of Springbank Dam.
A public participation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening at city hall. More than 40 submissions will be made, both in writing and in person, as councillors gather public opinion regarding whether to fix the dam or not.
The meeting comes as city staff seek approval to move forward with the development of terms of reference and a budget for a consultant to complete a master plan environmental assessment study, called "One River", for an area between the Forks of the Thames and Springbank Dam. That study would examine the dam as well as the Back to the River plan.
The project spearheaded by the London Community Foundation calls for a ribbon-like walkway that extends out over the river at the forks. It has been argued that, without a functional Springbank Dam, the Back to the River project would not have the same positive impact because of lower water levels.
And while some rowers, kayakers, and dragonboat racers support fixing the dam in order to allow them to use the river in the Springbank Park area, many environmentalists say the river's health has improved dramatically in the time that the dam has been inoperable.
The meeting begins at 6:30pm.
