Wasaga Beach what the heck is happening?

For anyone new to Wasaga Beach in recent years, we almost need a definitions section at the beginning of most discussions that defines what some of these often heard phrases mean. For most people, they drive to the Beach, pay to park, walk to where they want and enjoy the day.

For anyone wanting to preserve what we have, enhance future experiences and generally have a say in our future… some of these words/ phrases are very important to understand.

Why? Well, for instance, some like to play with words when people complain and say they don’t want “Condos on the Beach”. Proponents of Condos will respond by saying that the Beach is a Provincial Park so stop worrying. But NOBODY ever thought that Condos were going to be built in the Sandy areas people use to lay around in. But few people have actually envisioned what it would actually look like or feel like to sell the municipal land to a developer to put up a townhouse enclave.

Why have we only seen artists concept drawings for most of Brian’s Plans? Well, it’s easy in a conceptual drawing to have things presented to make them look grander than they actually will be.

When the goal of the developer is to downplay the loss of “tourism use” property and sell the idea of still having a bustling, busy tourism area… well THAT is what the pictures will show.

People concerned about preserving our “Beach Culture” need to focus on what will be taken away and that will give a more accurate picture of what will remain.

As we remove pieces of what remained of tourism at “the main end” and replace it with town houses, we reduce the draw for local citizens or visitors to desire spending time in that area. The last time FRAM presented what they would build, people were enraged. Why? Because every inch of what we have always known as park space was going to be converted to Townhouses and the private roads that serve the needs of the new owners. The same thing is now happening 100 meters east, but the loss won’t be a park area. Instead, we lose hundreds of parking spaces and a strip of land along the beach that had always had businesses and services that served the wants and needs of those visiting.

In fact the road that stretches to the beach after you pass the Beer Store and liquor store had been eliminated in the recent drawings. Replaced with what? … Town Houses.

Now they try to make this all look good by selling us a hotel on part of the remaining property. They try to sell the hotel by saying it will be a beautiful wedding venue. However… there is a reason no hotel has not already built a five star wedding venue facing Georgian Bay. There is no real appeal for most tourists to flock to the snow covered, wind blasted shores of Georgian Bay in the winter. Take away the concept of a wedding venue and what is left? A hotel. But where would a hotel be more successful? Beach One or Main Street? Which hotel location would enhance our community by offering a needed service WITHOUT taking away an important destination?

Oh, they want to give “beach life” to a select few hundred families that can afford the gated access. But show me where in their plans they actually live up to their claim that “tourism is our only industry”.

Yes…. I have all kinds of ideas on what should happen at the Main End, but when our present Mayor and friends are presenting the WRONG vision. THAT is what we have to focus on.

Say NO to privatizing our public spaces. It’s not just our Beach. Land surrounding our old arena is being sold off to fund this mad vision of a private beach club. So Wasaga Beach Pickle Ball enthusiasts, Wasaga Beach woodworking club members, Kinnettes and others who use that space… they can all just go look for other space. The Town needs the money from selling our public space to fund their private beach club.

It doesn’t end there. Even popular parking lots like the one on Dunkeron are planned to be sold. Why? Well the Party Council needs money to keep the party going.

There are very few opportunities these days to ask your questions in a public forum, so show up on September 19 and get in line. If you are intimidated by the Brian supporters shooting you dirty looks or boo’s, reach out by PM and I will help you with an alternate strategy. More tomorrow.