Why does the Town want to take over the Beach?

4 of ???- prompted by the Town Hall Thursday night!!

Probably the last issue from Thursday evening that had multiple people ask questions was the recent letter to the Province asking for the Provincial parks to be turned over to a different ministry OR the Town of Wasaga Beach.

The common theme seemed to be people’s desire to ask specifically WHAT the Town would take over?

Would they sell off lands, ask for housing on specific lots, etc…

There was no fulsome answer to this. They continued to point out what bad shape the amenities at the park were in.

I noted a few things as I watched. First, this is not the first time I have heard the CAO complain about the Province expropriating his Grandfathers property back in the 70’s. There seems to be a bitterness that has not faded with time regarding the expropriation. I would love to see a good collection of memorabilia donated to the archives regarding this, but it really needs to stop being a driving force in our decisions.

Yes… properties were taken away. Yes, our park requires modernization, but I for one am glad it exists. If the Province had not done what they did in the 70’s, there is no telling how restricted the beach access would be today.

Does the Nancy need protection? Yes. Does Nancy Island offer enhanced tourism if it were modernized? No doubt about it.

Do we need new picnic tables, waste receptacles and shelters? Yes. How about larger, modern bathrooms? Yes Please!

But the question is, what is the best way to get this stuff moving? How do we get money budgeted to OUR park?

Well, Our Council has taken the approach of attack, insult and demand. Nothing new there. Please don’t refer only to their letter. Sure it may have a touch of diplomacy. But when presentation after presentation has Wasaga Beach spokespersons berating the Ontario Government … they notice that as well.

I say it needs to be a two step process. First, treat the Parks staff as our partners. Offer as much assistance as we can to help better manage issues that overlap jurisdictions (garbage is an example).

Next… lead by example! Have you seen the un-groomed, poor condition of our Beach Two? Why not make EVERY park in Wasaga Beach SPECTACULAR?

The Mayor is continuously criticizing the last Council for removing the old Splash Pad at Beach One. (Of course he is demolishing so much more this fall). Instead… why not build FOUR SPECTACULAR splash pads in existing parks or new parks. One in the far East, one west, one central and one south/central.

The Town is looking at selling off properties to raise funds. Instead, turn those properties into attractive, well designed parks with splash pads.

A couple weeks ago I spent a few days in Niagara Falls. I think the Mayor has used Niagara Falls as an example of what he hopes for a Wasaga Beach management model. I don’t think we are in the same realm as Niagara Falls. Not even close. Instead, we should simply focus on being the best we can be.

Does our Council not think that the Ontario Government watches how we spend our money? We will get millions of dollars in the next few years from the Casino. We could spend it on new or enhanced parks!

Instead, we fund a walk in clinic that the Province should pay for and we fund rock concerts.

Andrew McNeill mentioned the amphitheater in Beach Two. Find a way to work together. Maybe it would be a great project to get our youth, or our seniors, or all of the above to volunteer and spruce it up next spring. Maybe then, our local theatre groups could put on a couple of plays. Our Mayor could even put on lectures about the war of 1812.