CJRO News - July 28, 2025

Hello, this is Rose Grzela and this is this week's news on CJRO Radio.

Russell Township’s largest infrastructure project to date, a $104 million recreational complex with three ice rinks, is facing criticism. Two of the main groups expected to benefit from it, the minor hockey association and the Embrun Junior B hockey team, say the current version of the project no longer aligns with what was originally presented to them. Mayor Mike Tarnowski says a major increase in construction costs forced the municipality to revise its plans.

Christian Gauthier, Vice-President of Competitive Hockey for District 3 of Eastern Ontario Minor Hockey, is concerned about the addition of neutral rooms inside the dressing rooms. According to him, these spaces take up too much room, reducing the number of benches available for players. He also questions their usefulness, believing few people will use them. Mayor Tarnowski dismisses these concerns, saying the dressing rooms provide ample space for players. He also says he is proud to include inclusive facilities in every changing room.

Mayor Tarnowski adds that the municipal council’s main goal is to meet the needs of the majority of the community. Since most users of the complex are recreational participants, the council is prioritizing leisure activities over creating a competitive development centre. The new recreational complex is scheduled to open in fall 2026. 

A wastewater treatment system modernization project is still under review in Casselman. As part of the process, the municipality held a public meeting on July 10 to inform residents and gather feedback on its preferred option: the continuous discharge of treated wastewater into the South Nation River.

Chief Administrative Officer Yves Morrissette explained that this option is considered the most advantageous for several reasons. In addition to reducing overall costs, the continuous discharge approach would eliminate the need to expropriate surrounding farmland. 

If the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approves the continuous discharge option, Morrissette says the municipality will still need to carry out maintenance on the existing wastewater treatment system. That work is expected to cost approximately $2.5 million. The municipality expects a response from the Ministry within a few months.

The Township of Russell has completed an environmental assessment for expanding the internal road network in the 417 Industrial Park, north of Robot Street and west of Emard Street. The goal is to improve traffic flow, support future development, and provide better access to undeveloped land. The study followed the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process for Schedule ‘B’ projects.

If concerns can’t be resolved with the Township, residents can request a higher-level review from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. If no requests are made by August 24, 2025, the project will be considered approved. The Township will have 10 years to move forward with the plan, as long as it remains consistent with this assessment.

Photographers are invited to take part in the 2025 Photo Expo in the Township of Russell. This year’s theme is “Up Close and Personal”, encouraging artists to capture intimate, emotional, or detailed images of people, wildlife, or landscapes within the Township’s boundaries.

An independent jury will select four winning photos to be printed and displayed along the recreational trail near 901 Notre-Dame Street in Embrun. Each winner will receive $400 in CARFAC fees and a subscription to PhotoEd Magazine. Honourable mentions will also receive a magazine subscription.

It’s free to participate, and photographers can submit up to five photos. The deadline is Monday, August 25 at 11:59 p.m., and the outdoor exhibition opens on Saturday, September 13.

The Union culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes Cercle d’Embrun is inviting the public to an evening of bingo on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Camille Piché Community Centre in Embrun. The cost is $25 for 12 bingo cards. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, please contact Sylvie Gravelle at 613-620-0527.

That wraps up this week’s news. If you’d like to contact us or share a news story, feel free to send us an email at nouvellescjroradio@gmail.com. I also invite you to visit our website at www.cjroradio.com for the latest news.