Wilmot council discuss cost of reinstalling Prime Ministers Path
Posted Aug 26, 2025 07:11:37 AM.
Last Updated Aug 26, 2025 11:17:28 AM.
Wilmot council considered the cost of reinstalling the statues to the Prime Ministers Path in Baden at a council meeting on Monday.
The cost of installing the nine statues is $78,000, according to township staff, which includes the price of creating six bases and repairing the statues.
Council approved a number of recommendations surrounding the future of the Prime Ministers Path back in July, but has yet to give the plans the green light.
“This is going against what the majority of township residents want,” said a Wilmot resident who delegated at Monday’s meeting.
According to staff, after council approves the cost of reinstallation, there will be no more public dollars spent on this project aside from the cost of regular maintenance, which is already baked into the township’s budget.
Councillor Lillianne Dunstall floated the idea of letting generous community members help fund the project.
“I know I have had some people actually ask if there was someplace they could contribute, this was something that they’re very passionate about and they want to see them up,” said Dunstall.
Since 2020, the project has cost the township more than $220,000 between legal fees, community engagement, and the cost of keeping the statues in storage.
“I don’t think township funds should be spent on a one-time capital cost,” said Councillor Steven Martin. “Conservatively, saying $78,000, but we all know this is the rough estimate. Prices typically don’t go down; they only go up from there.”
If council approve this project at a future meeting, a volunteer group will be formed to create a new name and education strategy for the path.
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