A new park, restoration of Portage Landing and an observation deck could be in Bala’s future.
These are some of the design plans announced by Swift River Energy Ltd. in conjunction with the construction of the hydroelectric dam in Bala.
Company Vice-President Frank Belerique says the dam project will be a restoration of an old power plant at the Bala Falls that was in use in the early 1900’s. Belerique says Swift River has been working with a design committee made up of locals to create a Muskoka esthetic that will keep the dam from being an eyesore in the community. There are also plans in place for an observation deck that will give residents and tourists an unobstructed view of the Bala Falls and Moon River.
The company wants to restore Portage Landing as well to allow for more public use by canoers. Jane Burgess, an architect specializing in heritage preservation, has been hired to make sure many of the natural rocky shoreline features at Portage Landing won’t be touched.
The project has been publicly contested by local protestors and tourists who believe the dam will destroy the natural beauty of Bala Falls.
Construction at the falls is expected to last about two years.
