Residents of Wolseley say the city should leave well enough alone and scrap plans for a proposed new bridge in Omand Park.

That was the sentiment shared by the majority of area residents who attended a March 18 public meeting at Portage Avenue Church.

Approximately 500 individuals attended the meeting, which was organized by city officials to discuss options for replacing or rehabilitating the bridge.

The city originally proposed a 75-metre replacement for the bridge, which is flooded every spring. Opposition to the plan prompted the city to reconsider its plans and propose five alternate options.

Alison Norberg, who has lived in Wolseley for close to 50 years, said she opposes any changes that might harm the park’s natural beauty.

"I’m concerned that whatever happens that it not only address the issue of year-round accessibility, but that it retain the natural features of Omand Creek Park," she said.

Long-time resident Helena Stelsovsky agreed and said she opposes the city’s original design for a new bridge because it would reduce the amount of green space in the park.

Stelsovsky added that the yearly flooding of the footbridge south of Portage Avenue isn’t a concern to her because she can walk up and cross at Portage.

The bridge project is to be funded through the Active Transportation-Infrastructure Stimulus Program that was approved by city council last December.

About $1-million has been earmarked for the project as part of the city’s $20.4-million in capital funding to improve 35 active transportation routes around the city.

Kevin Nixon, the city’s active transportation co-ordinator, said he was pleased by the turnout for last week’s meeting. He added said that the strong interest by the community will ensure the best option is chosen.

"Some of the issues that were brought up we weren’t aware of, like the importance of tobogganing, and we weren’t aware of the unsavoury activity that goes on at night," he said.

"Now that we know about these things we can use them to make the design."

The five designs presented included three options with a new bridge, one that provides upgrades to the park only and one that upgrades the existing bridge.

The latter two options are not eligible for AT-ISP funding. However, Nixon said the city will find a way to fund them if that’s what the majority of residents want.

City officials are currently assessing feedback and exit surveys from the meeting and hope to determine a final design soon. Nixon said a final design will likely have to be chosen in the next couple of months in order for the project to quality for active transportation funding.

trevor.suffield@canstarnews.com