Declaring beach as surplus is madness says reader

To the Editor:

Below is a letter that I sent to Town staff, Mayor and Councillors and also spoke at the Open Forum portion of September 25th meeting of Council:

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To the CAO, Chief Building Official, Supervisor of Development Services, Mayor and all elected Councillors.

I want to address the declaring of part of our waterfront “surplus”, in order to execute (or confirm) the 50 year lease with the CCV.

You are, in essence, giving away, for 50 years, a large part of our valuable waterfront to a commercial developer.

What kind of madness compels a body entrusted with the well-being of Port Elgin to declare “surplus”, its most valuable asset?!?!?

To declare part of Port Elgin’s famous beach “surplus” is giving away an asset that is envied by every surrounding community, and has been enjoyed by countless people for years. As well as being valued by Port Elgin residents, our beach has been drawing visitors from near and far for over a century. They come here to escape! The waterfront has been the largest attraction to this town since it was settled. Economically, the beach has contributed to the financial growth of Port Elgin through accommodation rentals, food services, and miscellaneous shopping for groceries, fuel, clothing etc.

People have been walking, fishing, playing, relaxing on this sand for over 100 years! Despite any other economic condition that stumbled, tourism always succeeded! Testament to that is the fact that many of the dwellings on the west side of Green, Mill, and Elgin were seasonal, until Ontario Hydro started building the Bruce several years ago; those cottages were upgraded and converted to year round residences, for all season accommodations!

Replacing sand and open spaces with buildings, and pavement is going to reduce available sunbathing space and parking. This doesn’t make any sense when we are already struggling to accommodate people on our overcrowded beach.  A large development of this nature belongs uptown, along the main corridor somewhere, where people expect to find dining, and entertainment.

In this increasingly crazy world, people, more than ever, count on being able to visit the tranquillity of our famous, unspoiled beach. Everyone can enjoy the water, a hotdog, beach fries and an ice cream! It is a place where everyone can escape commercial activity, and bright lights, pavement, and give in to the sights and sounds of sand, water, sunsets, seagulls, and children playing.

A major development does not belong on our waterfront. For several years, we had many benign activities and entertainment on the waterfront – tennis, weekly carnivals, and markets, gift shops and a miniature steam train, weekly, and special event band shell concerts, and swimming lessons. What happened to all of that?!?

An organic development with dining and sale of beach amenities would probably be welcome. It should be no larger than the former train station. It should be in keeping with the uniqueness of the beach. Because of congestion, and other issues, like the embarrassing general disrepair of the beach, people are already finding other beaches to visit. A large development on the beach, will not attract more visitors to our town; it will drive them away

You have been entrusted with the welfare of the community. Please do the right thing, and protect our precious waterfront.

Peter Little,
(Longstanding businessman, resident, and lover of Port Elgin, and all that it offers.)