Pier Donnini's vision for the Port Elgin Main Beach revitalization includes a coastal themed village square, The Cedar Crescent Village, and would include a restaurant, a conference hall, a children's activity zone and a sunset tower.

Hub Staff

Pier Donnini, owner of Queen’s Bar and Grill in Port Elgin, gave a presentation to Saugeen Shores Council in the July 22 Committee of Whole meeting, delivering a passionate proposal of the concept he and his team have devised for the Port Elgin Harbour Revitalization.

Before delving into his slideshow, Donnini stressed the importance of the community’s involvement in this development. “This is a community property owned by all of us. Therefore what goes on on this property and what activities that carry on on this property have to benefit the majority of all of us," he declared.

“We will encourage every community group to come and talk to us about what that community space means to them," Donnini said.

Donnini described how the Port Elgin beach now sees less activity than it historically has and recalled the Cedar Crescent Casino, the Sunset Lodge, the train, performances and his personal favourite, the Cake Wheel, all as successful businesses that drew in crowds both locally and from outside Saugeen Shores. “It was a gathering place," said Donnini, adding "but we lost our way.”

Donnini referred to the public feedback implemented on both the 2013 Waterfront Master Plan and the Corporate Strategic Plan and said that two points that stood out to him were that "we want to create a destination and we want a destination where people can have experiences," and said that through discussions he's had with community members Donnini identified a lack of things to do as a reason why people don't go to the Port Elgin beach.

Donnini introduced the concept of a village square that would provide a gathering space his team has envisioned. The square would consist of a restaurant, a banquet hall, a children's activity zone, a Sunset Tower as well as some beach appropriate retail.

Donnini painted a detailed picture of what their village square would look like while reminding council that nothing is set in stone and he fully expects this vision to evolve through staff and public consultation as well as consultation with "every community group."

The proposed name, Cedar Crescent Village, pays homage to the historical casino that once stood on the Port Elgin waterfront. The restaurant that Donnini described as the anchor to this village would be called The Whitefish Grille to honour the natural resources available from the Great Lakes. The structural design will also draw on historic elements with a retail building mimicking the shape and look of the old casino.

The conference centre, to be named The Hall at the Cedar Crescent Village, would exist above the restaurant and seat up to 300 guests. This space would be available for corporate events or weddings but could also be segregated to accommodate smaller groups.

Also on the horizon was the prominent Sunset Tower. Donnini identified this feature as a popular photo opportunity for tourists, weddings and the like as well as a reception area for the Hall. He noted the success of a bold structure like this in other waterfront communities.

Donnini brought the audience’s attention to the centre of the square and described the potential for summer programs for children such as sports, arts and science camps. Donnini made it clear that the goal was for all aspects of the Cedar Crescent Village to be functional 12 months of the year including the restaurant, retail outlets as well as an outdoor skating rink in the winter that would transform into volleyball courts in the summer. The children's zone could encourage active play and remain open year round.

He went on to anticipate outdoor theatre, art shows, community fundraisers, markets, movie nights and opportunities for busker performances.

When it came to the train, Donnini was sentimental and agreed that there should be a train, but one that lends itself to the overall design. “We want a train that fits, one that fits in 2019. We want a train that is viable and sustainable," he said, proposing an electric train that can run on any terrain.

“My dream is to use it as flexible transportation," said Donnini. "When the Whitefish Grille closes at 11pm, I would like to take all those people downtown, because we have lots of viable businesses downtown,” he said, adding that he would like to find ways to connect the beach to downtown more often.

Donnini acknowledged that the lands in question encompassed the existing beach flea market area and expressed his interest in improving the market. “The type of market that sits on the most valuable piece of property should match it and I think there’s a lot we can do," he said and spoke of a design for semi-permanent vendor stalls in more of an artisanal space and the hope of it being open more than one day a week.

The cost of the project is estimated between $5 and $7 million. When Donnini discussed investing, he stressed the value of a private public partnership to achieve their vision for the harbour revitalization. “As funding becomes more and more of an issue,” explained Donnini, “finding private money to help create public things is the way," he said, adding that such a partnership would minimize the financial impact for taxpayers.

Donnini has planned for a formalized review process with the municipality to make sure the public is aware of how things are progressing throughout the process. He also expressed his belief that the Port Elgin Harbour should be viewed as an asset and stressed the importance of maintaining that asset with a worthy investment.

This is owned by the residents of Saugeen Shores, declared Donnini, adding that we owe it to those residents to make sure this investment is sound and reaps a return.

“Public assets don’t necessarily return with money,” admitted Donnini, “but they return with services, they return with experiences, they return by adding to the inventory of what we have in the community,” he said.

Donnini made one more recommendation to council in regards to the timing of this investment. "It is really important to invest when times are good because when times are bad you don’t get that opportunity," he said, "and usually, when times are bad, the constrictions prevent you from doing it.”

Donnini's team estimated an economic growth of 72,000 visitors with a direct GDP impact of $4.6 million and a total GDP impact of $8 million in the first full year of operation. Over 90 jobs are estimated to be generated as well as taxes totalling $1.3 million federally, $1.7 million provincially and $364,000 municipally.

A public feedback poll was launched July 23. Links to the plan as well as Donnini's presentation and feedback questions are available at: forms.saugeenshores.ca/Community-Services/Port-Elgin-Main-Beach-Area-Enhancement-Survey

Overall Council members were very positive and appreciative of Donnini's presentation and the details of the proposal. Councillor John Rich raised the question of timing for the project. Donnini said he was unwilling to see the land sit another year not being used before delivering an aggressive goal of opening next summer.

Councillor Jami Smith questioned whether a timeline for a summer 2020 opening would allow for appropriate public consultation.

“A community consultation process, I can only assume will take some time. Similarly you’ve expressed a timeline that we can both agree is very aggressive” said Smith. “My question to you and the challenge you’ll be left with is how to balance those needs of understanding the community’s wishes in a very aggressive span of time," she said.

Smith also brought up concerns about construction quality. “Based on the investment you and your partners will be making and as well as what the community will be offering up in terms of what is our greatest asset, I need to be assured that we won’t be sacrificing quality in terms of the rush to get to next summer," she said.

Donnini agreed. “With this type of investment we’d be insane to do it with half measures," he said, adding that with the public consultation starting immediately and the next council meeting scheduled in one month he is confident that the team will be able to assess quickly as to whether they're on the right track.

Saugeen Shores CAO David Smith also commented on Councillor Smith’s questions, pointing out that their recent online tourism poll collected over 700 responses in one weekend. “In our community, length is not usually a barrier because when we do online polling people jump on really quick," he said.

The proposed site plan.

Elevation views of the proposed square.

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