Canine campaigners pressure city for potable water at Kilcona Park

A group of dog lovers are hoping the city will earmark some funding for their local dog park.

Members of the Kilcona Park Dog Club turned up to a public meeting at Henderson Library Saturday morning to speak Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt.

The group would like to see some improvements to Kilcona Park to protect their pooches when it comes to potable water.

"Dogs have been getting really sick from drinking the water in the retention ponds," said Donna Henry of the Kilcona Park Dog Club.

She said dogs have been suffering from skin and eye diseases from unhealthy water in the park.

The group has raised almost $40,000 for the cost of bringing water from a local well for a drinking fountain and dog rinse station. Henry said they still need the city to test and treat the water so it can be deemed potable.

"I can't say that I'm confident [it will happen], but I can say that I'm hopeful," Henry said.

Counc. Wyatt said he thinks it is a project that is "doable" but it's hard to get support from the mayor and the executive policy committee.

"It's time to start investing back in Kilcona Park, including the dog park," he said.

Five public meetings were held to bring ideas from Winnipeg citizens to city council ahead of the 2017 budget. The findings will be presented to city council and will be made public in a few weeks.