KATIMAVIK

By Ed Litle, KATIMAVIK Coordinator

Early in the spring of 1997 I took on a project for the Harbour Authority of Hall's Harbour to develop projects that would benefit the community under the auspices of KATIMAVIK (a Federal youth program). Around the same time, FISHH was formed to solicit funds for wharf repairs and the HAHH decided it could no longer support the KATIMAVIK project due to lack of finances.

Through the efforts of our Councillor, Madonna Spinazola, the Executive Director of Kings CED Agency, Robin marshall, and the creation of the Hall's Harbour Community Development Association we were able to secure provincial funding from the Communitiy Opportunities Fund in the amount of $66,000 and by the end of june 1997, KATIMAVIK approved our proposal!

Fred Houghton agreed to 'modify' a Residence adjacent to joyce mosher to accomodate the youths for their september arrival, and Jim Houghton 'loaned' his cottage for the summer for their supervisor, Sylvie Saucy.

The initial group of eleven arrived to great welcome in the harbour with all levels of government on hand as well as a large community response.

The first projects undertaken included the east side trail at Cove Road and a set of stairs at the neville property. With the arrival of timbers and supplies, the Lighthouse Wharf construction commenced with Nim Watson, Dick killam, and Les Hutchinson proviidng invaluable leadership and hard labour. Eventually Nim and i worked through the winter and spring to get this project completed with other groups.

During Phase 2, some group members worked with john Neville to construct a dory which later went to the Firehall, a set of stairs to the creek bed was built, the west side trail commenced, and work inside the old schoolhouse got underway as well as the Fred parker boardwalk connecting the wharves.

Because our projects were quite large and our third group comprised three people only, we needed the assistance of KATIMAVIK groups from Charlottetown, madawaska, tatamagouche, and Sydney to complete the wharf, the west-side trail, and the walkways.

From time to time KATIMAVIK youth were billeted with local families for a week of respite. They also had time off to visit/tour the Maritime Provinces and other KATIMAVIK projects. A highlight with the first rotation was Halloween face painting and 'haunting' the naighbourhood. Some of the girls thought John Petrie was the greatest because he allowed them to use/drive his brand new truck! At the end of each rotation, a party was held at the Fire Hall or Fundy View Community Centre to allow the residents to provide well wishes to the group, the latest group leaving mid-May 1998.

According to government sources, our project was one of the best projects ever completed under the KATIMAVIK programme. This was due to the strong participation and support of the community residents as well as the contractors and suppliers who provided substantial financial assistance. Concurrently, badly needed modern public washrooms were constructed at the harbour.

KATIMAVIK

Login to your account

Live Harbour Cam