South Bruce youth visit Borehole Drilling sites, learn about work underway

Pictured: Several residents speak with an employee at one of the borehole sites outside of Teeswater.

For Immediate Release
March 7, 2022

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – Nearly 20 young people from South Bruce had the opportunity to visit the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) borehole sites to see the work being done and ask questions of the geoscience team that are leading the drilling and analysis of the borehole core rock samples.

The work being done at the two borehole sites just outside of Teeswater form part of the numerous studies and assessments underway to confirm if the local geology is safe to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel underground in a deep geological repository.

The tour was held as the monthly #NextGenNetwork event, which is an initiative spearheaded by the Municipality that seeks to connect, engage, build community and inspire ideas among South Bruce residents under the age of 30.

“This was one of the most well attended #NextGenNetwork events to date,” said Alli Meyer, who helps organize the monthly activities. “The next generation of community members have a curiosity and interest in understanding what is going on with different aspects of the Project, and this hands-on experience was a great way to learn and have many of their questions answered.”

“It was very encouraging to have this group see all of the science taking place at the borehole sites,” said Michael Pahor, NWMO Relationship Manager. “The event also gave us the opportunity to listen and learn and it is clear the next generation in South Bruce is engaged and wants to have their voices heard.”

Since April 2021, #NextGenNetwork events have engaged dozens of community members and been diverse in theme – including a community cleanup, trivia nights, career development panel, and a couple of youth-focused workshops that have provided critical input to municipally led studies.

The #NextGenNetwork concept was developed as a result of the 2021 South Bruce Youth Engagement Strategy Report, which aims “to see youth fully engage, informed and thriving in their community of South Bruce.”

Any South Bruce resident under 30 that would like to receive updates about the monthly events can do so by completing the Stay Connected form on the municipal website.

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