Residents concerned about beach condition in Port Elgin

Town Council

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John Kyles, President of the Port Elgin and Saugeen Township Beachers' Association, presented several concerns at the recent Town Council meeting, regarding the condition of the Port Elgin Beach and waterfront.

He pointed out that tourism is the second largest industry in Bruce County, next to agriculture, and for Saugeen Shores it is number one.  "Tourism is responsible for 30 per cent of the total retail sales in Bruce County," added Kyles.

"The waterfront is Port Elgin's most important tourism attraction and resource," he said.  "Yet, there is no clearly defined vision of the role that it should play in the community.  There are unattractive buildings, poorly designed elements such as, lighting,  walkways, parking lots and a lack of adequate landscape planning. I am telling council that neighbouring communities are competing for tourism dollars."

Kyles said that Beachers' Association is recommending that a short-term plan be developed around a maintenance program and necessary changes that could be implemented in early 2010.  He referred to the demolition and removal of the water treatment plant on Port Elgin Beach without a plan in place for the space could be used for.

"There was a Waterfront Master Plan in 1993," he pointed out.  "Perhaps, it's time to engage a consultant to update the plan and take into account the entire shoreline from Southampton to McGregor Park."

The Association would also like to see the town encourage private sector investment in direct and related tourist commercial projects in  addition to improving pedestrian and vehicle access and traffic flow.  "There is no defined attractive area for parking and there is nothing attractive about the promenade that is covered in sand from an eroding beach."

"We need to develop, fund and implement short and long-term plans," Kyles continued. "Our beaches used to be gorgeous and now they are not.  We must look at the waterfront and beaches as a product.  If we advertise that it is to be a certain something to attract the tourists and it is not, then tourists will not return."

Councilor Diane Huber agreed saying it is an important resource.  "We cannot ignore it," she said.

"I hope that Community Services will come to us with some issues for this year's budget," said Councilor Luke Charbonneau.

"This has been on going for a long time," said Kyles,  "and 1993 the Master Plan still applies today.  We have been against grading and grooming of the beach and it is still being done four times in a season with nothing being done to prevent sand erosion or migration."

Deputy Mayor Doug Frieburger agreed.  "I have never supported grading or scraping the beach.  It might make it smooth for today but it absolutely ruins it for the future."

"The residents of Gobles Grove are going to submit and application to sponsor the financing and maintain appropriate landscaping around the change-house that is there," said Kyles.

Mayor Mike Smith  said that Council shared the concerned of the Association.  "We have talked with Lake Huron Conservation and we appreciate the offer to help with the beautification fo the beach.

In 2008, the Southampton Rate Payers Association also raised many of the same issues with Council. See SRA

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010