Hub Staff

On January 23 Saugeen Shores resident John Mann addressed Saugeen Shores Council regarding the proposed one-year lease agreement for the municipally owned Port Elgin Main Beach property, The Station.

Mann shared his opinion with councillors that the iconic “Station” along with its train service and minigolf are “unparalleled” and that owner Andy Hess is the ambassador to the beach.

During the January 9 Committee of a Whole meeting, a Town of Saugeen Shores staff recommendation sought a one-year lease deal over the traditional five-year deal for the establishment, home to a mini-putt course and the popular replica 1836 American Steam Engine tourist train. One reason for the consideration of a one-year deal was stated in the recommendation and is as follows:

“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.”

Staff also recommended a Request for Proposals (RFP) be undertaken with the initial goal being to select a service partner who is able to "enhance the appearance of the building, provide desired services, reasonably accommodate the train business" as well as extend beach activity beyond the traditional summer months. The report also stated that an unsolicited proposal for a repurpose of the building and surrounding land had been presented to staff in 2016.

See: Town recommends one year lease instead of five for The Station

During his delegation to Council, Mann strongly disagreed with the assessment regarindg the building’s aesthetic and said that The Station is perfect. Mann told councillors that the Town recommendation is unfair and unbalanced, considering he had sent a letter to staff about his opinions and they were not included in the staff recommendation report.

“I’m a citizen and my opinion counts,” said Mann. “You work for us. When I have something to say, I expect Council to not agree but to discuss it, review it, consider it and tell me why, yes or no, you agree with me. It’s a cornerstone of our democracy.”

Mann went on to question the merit of the staff recommendation, calling it “confirmation bias,” and said there is “no debate.”

“We run the show and it never happens,” said Mann.

He continued to say that public consultation and meaningful conversations do not exist in Saugeen Shores, that staff had already made their decision and that it was shameful the way Andy Hess was being treated.

Following his delegation, Saugeen Shores councillors began to discuss what Mann had presented to them.

Councillor Neil Menage agreed with Mann about Hess and his wife Debbie having become ambassadors to Port Elgin Main Beach and that he didn't think anyone would ever say that they wouldn't want the tourist train. “We certainly want the train,” Menage said, but added that the mini-golf needs “a lot of work and help,” and that it is a “prime piece of real estate that needs to be repurposed.”

Menage then defended the public process in regards to the waterfront, as he was on the Waterfront Master Plan Committee for over two years and currently sits on the Waterfront Adhoc Committee. Menage said that people came by the hundreds to discuss Port Elgin Main Beach and they said The Station “didn't serve its purpose anymore, not the way it looked and not the way it was framed.” Menage went on to say that they wanted a change and that “that’s all documented” through public meetings and surveys. “We’re trying to effect some change based on feedback,” said Menage.

Councillor Mike Myatt took offence to Mann’s accusations that Town staff and councillors have not been open and transparent on the subject. He made mention of the “wonderful” public meetings regarding the Waterfront Master Plan, also highlighting recent meetings such as the Fairy Lake - Emerald Ash Borer public meeting that was held on January 12. “We open our doors and try to be open and have meaningful discussion with people at public meetings and open forums,” said Myatt.

Mann countered Myatt’s statement by saying that if a citizen comes to a Council meeting, that “they would like Council to discuss what he or she just said and say what they think about it.”

Councillor John Rich requested the amount of the lease paid by Hess. Town CAO David Smith calculated off-hand approximately $3,500 a year. John Rich then asked Mann if he was aware that Hess had once put The Station up for sale (2014). “Are you aware that the business had been for sale, that the person that is the ambassador was trying to sell it to somebody else,” said Rich. Mann agreed that it has once been for sale. Rich went on to say that it indicates to him that Hess is interested in a change. 

“When the end of a lease comes, we have the opportunity to see what the vision of that property is and I don’t think that there is any problem debating it,” said Rich.

Hess was in attendance but declined to comment.