Wollaston Lake residents still stranded as ice road remains closed

The small community of Wollaston Lake is facing some discouraging news.

The community’s only access road to the rest of the province remains closed as the ice is still not thick enough to travel on.

“Right now the minimum (thickness) is 17 inches and some sections there is only 20 inches,” said Anne Robillard with the Hatchet Lake Development Limited Partnership.

A crew from the Department of Highway assessed the conditions Thursday afternoon. The ice road requires at least 20 inches before it can be opened.

Robillard said it’s very tough being at the mercy of Mother Nature.

“Groceries are still being flown in and the only option we have for fuel is to haul it in by half ton truck,” she said.

Last weekend, the community ran out of fuel forcing people to drive back and forth across the road bringing in as much fuel as they could safely transport.

“Some of the school and major buildings depend on propane for heating fuel and I’m not sure if they are going to bring it in,” she said.

Robillard said only local traffic is being allowed to use the road but even they are doing so at their own risk.

“When we say at their own risk, they are taking it on their own time; it’s not monitored whatsoever,” Robillard said.