After being in the works for over a decade, the rebuilding of a Thunder Bay landmark is nearing completion.

The Boulevard Lake Dam construction is now just weeks from wrapping up and reopening to the public.

Current River Councillor Andrew Foulds has been instrumental to the project, and says this has been a lengthy and significant undertaking.

“This is a project that I’ve probably been working on for 13 years,” explains Foulds. “I live very close to here, and the last two years I’ve witnessed, almost on a daily basis, the changes and improvements. I think it’s so amazing and I can’t wait for citizens to get across it because a lot of the features that citizens wanted in this facility are there. I can’t wait for people to get out here. It’s been a long time and I’m really hopeful people will enjoy this as much as I already have.”

Some of the new additions to the Boulevard Lake Dam includes a wider top deck, to the point where snow plows can go over the facility making for a safer walk for students who are on their way or coming home from school. Along with this there will be more lighting across the dam making it easier for all pedestrians to navigate during darker hours.

More lighting will be present on the front of the dam as well that will be visible from Cumberland Street. The colour of the lights can be changed, allowing for Boulevard Lake Dam to light up orange on Truth and Reconciliation Day, or green on St. Patrick’s Day. The lights on the front of the dam will not be up and running when it reopens to the public.

While Boulevard Lake Dam falls in the Current River Ward, people from across Thunder Bay are excited for the completion of the project.

“This isn’t just a Current River project,” says Foulds. “People come from all over the city to walk this five kilometer loop, to do this little two kilometer loop. Go swimming, to use the new pickleball court, tennis courts, the new play structure, the new frisbee disc golf. This is one more piece to a fantastic puzzle which is Boulevard Lake Park.”

Foulds concluded by saying it should reopen to the public in a couple weeks, with just a few “finishing touches” remaining.

The project did run over-budget, but still fell well below the initial tender.

There were also discussions recently held at city council, in which it was considered whether Boulevard Lake Dam could again be used to produce green energy.