Spokesperson for the concerned beach group, Ron Kelly, addressed council during the Committee of a Whole, May 24.

Hub Staff

Supporters of Social Athletics of Saugeen Shores (S.A.S.S.) showed up in full force at the Committee of a Whole meeting, May 24, as Ron Kelly a “spokesman for taxpayers”, presented a delegation to council over the concern of too many volleyball courts taking up viable beach space, as water levels have risen at Port Elgin Main Beach.

Executive member of S.A.S.S. Ryan Smith, BIA President Jeff Carver, Connie Barker and Susan Kelly used the Open Forum time to express their positive opinions of S.A.S.S.

Connie Barker and Jeff Carver referenced the economical impact the summer volleyball league, (which operates Monday to Wednesday nights and holds two weekend tournaments), creates for local establishments with its 350 plus members.

Susan Kelly focused on how locals bare the long winters in Saugeen Shores to deserve to play evening volleyball on the beach, and applauded the organizers of S.A.S.S. for their winter leagues of indoor volleyball and dodgeball.

S.A.S.S. executive member Ryan Smith said with the rising water levels it's understandable that there would be issues, and said they have cut down on the number of courts which two years ago were three wide. “At our peak we had 12 nets on the beach. We've negotiated it back down to eight on the beach, unfortunately, which is limiting our numbers that can participate in events,” Smith said. He later added,”we're trying to give everyone room and everybody space.”

After meeting with S.A.S.S. and town representatives May 19, the group of concerned beach users felt that their wishes were not met, resulting in Kelly going through with his deposition to council. The deposition was signed by 16 concerned beach users, with a request of the termination of the agreement between S.A.S.S. and the Town of Saugeen Shores.

“By allowing nine (S.A.S.S. will use eight courts through the summer) courts, the town is giving a large portion of the beach to a small group. The plan is to attract more people into the town, and by having nine courts, the “towel space” will be hard to find and people will go elsewhere,” said Kelly.

In his written deposition to council Kelly suggested the town create courts in areas other than the beach: two by the Port Elgin Harbour, three beside the public washrooms on the former water works building site, and an additional four courts in Southampton.

“The volleyball club does not attract tourists to the beach because it’s closed membership for season members,” said Kelly, who added that S.A.S.S. had presented their group with adjustments to planned court placements, but they did not meet the group’s approval.

Kelly also raised issue with the two-weekend tournaments that attracts over 30 teams to Saugeen Shores, the “Welcome to Summer” tournament June 18 and 19; and the “Year-End” tournament August 27. Both feature a fenced-off section between the volleyball courts and promenade with music, food roasting and a beer gardens.

Kelly said the “beer garden promotes drinking and driving,” which resulted in scoffs from S.A.S.S. supporters, and requested the music be played in the Pavilion and the beer gardens be moved to the Flea Market area. Kelly later said that “maybe they should move the tournament at the end of August to the weekend after Labour Day.”

Councillor Neil Menage did agree that the water level has been the highest its ever been and hoped that town staff can make the best of the situation until the Waterfront Committee can have a look at it. He added that different sports and their clubs throughout Saugeen Shores have all found multiple sites throughout the community.

Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau reminded Kelly that council won’t be making a decision on the subject as the agreement is done and said that there is an “openness” and “general desire” to make this work between the parties involved. “I don’t think there’s great cause for a lot of animosity between the parties. I really hope that you guys can keep working together and I'm confident that there will be a solution that’s going to work well for everybody,” Charbonneau said.

Mayor Mike Smith agreed with the Deputy Mayor and Councillor Menage. “I think you really need to continue to work this dialogue out with staff and see if we get a compromise. Ultimately I guess if you can’t get a compromise it will come back to this table and we’ll have to make this decision and when we do that somebody’s not going to be happy.”

On the left, BIA President Jeff Carver, spoke in favour of S.A.S.S. and its volleyball league during the Open Forum, May 24. On the right, Social Athletics of Saugeen Shores executive member Ryan Smith addressed council during the Open Forum, May 24.