Innisfil’s mayor and the police chief agree on one thing — Sunnybrae Public School desperately needs a sidewalk.
So what’s the problem? Why are students still forced to walk along the street?
Unfortunately, this mayor and chief don’t have much clout. That’s because they’re only students themselves.
Douglas Ferguson was the second Sunnybrae student to publicly make a plea for a sidewalk in less than a year. Ferguson who was sworn in as Student Mayor Wednesday told council it’s time students at the school had a sidewalk.
“A student was hit by a car,” he said in his speech. “Luckily it wasn’t too serious.”
Last April, Grade 5 student Christopher Rayner had a similar message for the town’s politicians when he was named Chief for a Day.
“I walk to school everyday so the Town needs to build a sidewalk here,” he said. “It’s not safe.”
Stroud-area councillor, Peter Kmet, has been lobbying for a sidewalk that would run along Sunnybrae Avenue to Yonge Street for the past three years.
He has seen some success, with the project finally being placed on the town’s five-year capital plan.
It is slated as project number 79 and the town plans to buy land and design the sidewalk in 2013. However, it’s not known when actual construction will take place.
Part of the problem is the cost, which is much higher than most sidewalk projects.
Buying the land and designing the sidewalk is expected to cost $70,000 alone. Actual construction will add much more to the final tab.
The town has attempted to have the school board pay for some of the project, but the public board considers the sidewalk a municipal responsibility.
Parents have complained about the lack of a sidewalk for Sunnybrae students, calling the situation “ridiculous”.
A Grade 4 class in the school even sent a letter to Mayor Brian Jackson earlier this year asking for a sidewalk on Sunnybrae.
Developer often foot the bill for sidewalks near schools in new subdivisions. But Sunnybrae Public School is more than 50 years old.
Today's Weather 
Clear and 6°C
Clear and 6°C
