Hub Staff

A one-year lease deal was recommended by the Town of Saugeen Shores for The Station, the municipal Port Elgin Main Beach property that in the past has been leased in five year increments. An information report prepared by Town CAO David Smith explained the reasoning for a one year lease, instead of the former five year deal.

“This time frame has limited any interest in capital investments to improve the building and property. As a result, despite some efforts by the service partner, the building and property have aged in appearance and no longer meet current aesthetics appropriate for the Town’s most significant tourist attraction.”

The Station has been run by Andy Hess and family for decades. The family also mans the mini-putt course and the replica 1836 American Steam Engine tourist train that runs through North Shore Park in the summer months.

Staff recommended a Request for Proposal to be undertaken, with an initial goal to select a service partner “able to enhance the appearance of the building, provide desired services, reasonably accommodate the train business and extends activity on the beach beyond the traditional summer months.”

Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski said the Town is starting to move forward and become progressive with the waterfront. “The existing agreement expired last year for The Station and before moving forward to another agreement I think it provides us, by extending it a year, an opportunity to have a good sense of what should be there. And if status quo is what should continue to be there, then this at least gives us that year to determine that.”

Councillor Dave Myette had questions and concerns about the exact conditions and deficiencies that were cause for the property to be in less than a desirable state.

Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau, who sat in the Mayor's seat during the January 9 Committee of a Whole meeting, said that “every now and again, just like every property owner, the municipality has the opportunity to review a lease that is expiring and decide whether or not that lease is serving the needs that it has.”

Charbonneau said that changes are coming to the waterfront. “When your needs are changing as a property owner, to decide whether your leases holders and the leases that you have in place are suiting your needs.”

Vice Deputy Mayor Diane Huber said that she didn't see this as anything other than moving forward and that the Town has been moving forward with Waterfront planning for years, adding that it makes sense to “set things up so that we consider opportunities.”

Councillor Mike Myatt said the tourist train is a Port Elgin icon and “a piece of our history” and hoped that when a proposal comes forth that the tourist train is maintained... and doesn't disappear. He added that he didn’t think that reviewing the current agreements was a bad thing.

“I want to make that statement clear that I think the importance of maintaining that train station down by the Port Elgin waterfront is really important,” said Myatt but added that he thinks it’s time to “have a chat” about the mini-golf.

Owner of The Station, Andy Hess wasn't able to speak during the Open Forum due to a vehicle breakdown en route, but had former councillor, business owner and real estate agent Doug Frieburger and John Mann fighting in his corner.

Freiburger said he supported a five-year lease renewal and that Hess was looking to make a permanent move to the area with the intention of bringing a wholesale chocolate business, currently located in three locations across Ontario, and centralizing it in Saugeen Shores. “I think it is well worth your investment in him because he wants to fully invest in Saugeen Shores”, said Freiburger.

John Mann said he was huge fan of The Station and Andy Hess, and called him the ambassador of the beach. Mann said, “We’re lucky to have [the train], it brings tourism, brings families, makes everybody happy. The mini-golf same thing, iconic I think.” Mann said he didn't know why there should be competition for the property and made mention of alcohol being potentially served at the location.

“In my view, alcohol doesn't belong on the beach, shouldn't be sold there, but that’s another story,” said Mann.

Town CAO David Smith would not comment on speculations regarding what else would go into the property if there was a new lease holder.