Many were in attendance at a public information session regarding the approved-in-principle North Shore Park Splash Pad location at the Plex November 30.
Hub Staff
Following months of community protest, an online petition and misinformation spread through social media, Saugeen Shores Council asked that town staff prepare a public information session regarding the North Shore Park Splash Pad location, which took place November 30 at the Plex.
Town staff, Monteith Brown Planning Consultants and members of the Port Elgin Splashpad Committee were on hand to help educate and explain why they felt the North Shore Park location was the best place for the upcoming splash pad project.
Friends of North Shore Park representative Paul Knechtel, who is against the North Shore Park location but not the idea of a splash pad in Port Elgin, was also on hand with information with which he said he was provided through a Freedom of Information request.
In his findings, he was given a scoring sheet of potential locations for the splash pad in Port Elgin. The highest score given was an 8, and that was for a splash pad location on Port Elgin’s Main Beach. North Shore Park received a 6, and a splash pad between the harbour and train tracks, east of the fish cleaning station, scored a 5. Locations such as Cameron Park, Biener Park, and the Plex all received a score of 3.
“The beach scored the highest,” said Knechtel, adding that he believed that idea was thrown out due to a maintenance concern. “But it had the most points so does that mean North Shore Park, which came in second with a couple other parks close by, should be chosen?”
In the document, it was explained that the beach wasn’t chosen due to the issue of sand migration and the potential added expense for removing sand on a regular basis.
If the beach was not chosen due to maintenance concerns, then, Knechtel wondered, why is North Shore Park any different? He went on to say that Cameron Park, which is located near Saugeen District Secondary School, was not chosen because of its proximity to baseball diamonds, but thought a net could be hoisted to catch any balls that might come the way of the splash pad. A reason cited in the document was a possible expansion or relocation of baseball diamonds.
Todd Brown of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, who was facilitating the information session, said they’ve completed their own evaluation of alternative sites, “ended up in the same place as town staff”, and are supportive of the North Shore Park location.
“A lot of communities are looking at waterfront location for splash pads because when the water quality is down and the kids can’t swim, it gives them an opportunity to still cool down,” said Brown. “The location already has a washroom there, there’s an opportunity to create access with the trolley, biking, walking and some parking.”
Brown said he understands that people are upset that around four trees will be taken down but attested that more would be planted in different locations around the park. He went on to say that part of the concern they’ve heard was to do with leaves. “The reality is that the splash pad is only operational during the summer time, and so you’re not going to get a lot of leaves coming down during that period.”
Port Elgin Splashpad Committee member Rachel Shute was happy that the public had the opportunity to offer feedback and get correct information and said she stood behind the North Shore Park decision. “It’s easy to get to, especially now that we have the trolly for a dollar a ride. It’s an amazing place for people who want the beach atmosphere, who have disabilities and can’t get to the beach easily. When it’s not safe to be at the beach, they can go to the splash pad which is completely accessible for all children, of all ages,” said Shute.
She went on to say there is a higher percentage of children in Port Elgin and that kids need free activities in which to take part.
Todd Brown said they will present the findings and suggestions to Saugeen Shores Council December 12 then it will be up to council to make a decision.
Members of Saugeen Shores Council were in attendance at the information session. Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau hoped that people were getting their questions answered and said there appeared to be many good conversations happening. He said that the night’s event will be a big part of the decision making process.
The Port Elgin Splashpad Committee is asking for $75,000 from the town to help complete the project and Charbonneau had stated in earlier budget talks that he hopes they receive the contribution. “My personal view is I want to see a splash pad built. Because of the work of this fundraising group that raised 80 percent of the money, I want them to succeed, I've never been that dogmatic about the location,” said Charbonneau.
“My primary concern is that they get a splash pad constructed, then I think the Town of Saugeen Shoes should support it financially,” he said.
Funding regarding both Port Elgin and Southampton splash pad projects will be on the table during capital budget talks December 6.
Friends of North Shore Park representative Paul Knechtel said this information night should have happened long ago and felt it was one sided. “It’s kind of the last minute before midnight because they're going to vote on it soon,” he said, adding that a lot of people weren’t able to attend. “They should have done this initially but it’s great that they did do it."
