BY KELLY ROCHE

South Mississauga’s ‘green oasis’ is one step closer to completion as clean rubble is making its way into Lake Ontario for the Lakeview Waterfront Connection project.

“The most important work we can accomplish is to leave our community a better place for our children,” said Ward 1 Coun. Jim Tovey, adding the LWC is “a testament to the power of a positive community.”

A first load of rubble was placed last week via a recently completed construction access route running through the old Lakeview generating station lands.

The $60 million conservation area is being built by Credit Valley Conservation, the Region of Peel, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

The project, estimated to take seven to 10 years, features 64 acres of new natural habitat including 1.5 kilometres of beach, new meadows, forests, wetlands and rocky islands, stretching from the old Lakeview generating station to the Toronto border at Marie Curtis Park.

This area currently has some of the lowest numbers and species of fish along the Mississauga waterfront, according to the CVC, with little food, shelter or connected corridors to support the life requirements of plants and animals.

The LWC is expected to enhance fish habitat via new wetlands, resuscitated creeks, and in-lake habitat features, which promote spawning.

Boasting 29 acres of meadow and 11 acres of forest, it will also help support migrating birds, insects, and bats.

The project also connects the Waterfront Trail between Mississauga and Etobicoke.