The RM of La Broquerie has asked the province to consider grandfathering the Marchand Wilderness Park in Marchand.
According to the municipality, the swimming pool or dug out does not conform to the public health act and has been shut down until further notice. Because it is located within Crown Lands and not on municipal property, the municipality hopes that the Minister of Conservation will accept responsibility, for liability reasons, of the park.
The municipality closed down the Wilderness Park last year following the municipality’s request for the Marchand Wilderness Park to be included on the municipal insurance policy. However, the issue is not so cut and dry.
The RM discovered it depends on who owns the land the park encompasses, which in this case makes it not possible because a majority of the land is owned by the province. The municipality’s insurer informed council the park is on crown land, not municipally owned, and subsequently cannot be added to the policy.
The Marchand Wilderness Park was officially opened three summers ago.
At the time the municipality purchased 180 acres for the park and leased an additional 180 from the province. Snowmobile trails, ATVs, ski trails, bird watching, walking, and biking were established on the land. The previous council also dug a swimming hole and erected spots for camping.
