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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-03-31, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, March 31,1993 But how many millions would it cost? Grand Bra/'s anVNtlous vision By Adrian Harte T-4 Editor GRAND BEND - Some might have thought k a script from a Star Trek episode of a trip to a paradise resort planet; but what Grand Bend deputy - mayor Cam Ivey was reading from Saturday afternoon was a mission statement on what some believe the village should look like by the year 2012. Ivey was reading the statement for the more than 200 people who attend- ed at a public meeting at the Legion to hear Grand Bend's long-range stra- tegic plan, with the idea that to achieve its goals, the planning process must start now. Predicting a permanent population of 15,000, the village by 2012 will be a year-round community with "numerous recreational, entertainment and educational activities available". "To the west of the river, protruding into Lake Huron is a marina accom- odating up to 300 yachts...the quay is picturesque with antique lights, ga- zebos and amenities...," read Ivey. "The Ring Road, along with out strategic area plan, directs incoming ve- hicular traffic close to particular areas of interest with ,ample parking facil- ities. This leaves local streets for pedestrians, bicycles, open trollies and mini buses...," he said. "We work in harmony with our neighbours to avoid duplication of facili- ties, programs and services and to ensure that all sports and cultural activi- ties are planned and implemented on an area basis." In conclusion, Ivey described the future Grand Bend as having an "over- all atmosphere...of an active and wholesome year round vacationland for all age groups. There is the impression of .fun and a healthy quality of life." Missing from this mission statement was any mention of a casino, but Ivey said after the meeting that any casino proposal would have to fit in with the overall plan, should the residents wish it. New Tourism Centre: Backing up this overall vision of a rosy future were several short presentations from each of the village's focus commit- tees. First was Randi Ivey, president of the village Chamber of Com- merce. "Grand Bend operates in the tourism business and must compete with other centres 'offering leisure and recreation," she said, insisting that the village •fight -the impression the community is closed after Labour Day. She said_the Chamber thinks a Promotional Development Officer should be hired tofold- what businesses and services are missing -.from Grand Bend and how.to attract them. Ivey:aiso'described the present Tourism Info Booth as "totally inade- quate", given the thousands of people who use it. New harbour needed: Larry Broadley,:chairntan:of:the1bour Com- mittee, said its goals were to improve the village's viability..as a destination for boaters, each of whom can be expected to spend 588 per day, per per- son when stopping over at any Lakeshore pon. He said the harbour needs to keep its rates reasonable. "Grand Bend developed a reputation of being quite expensive, and frankly, gouging," said Broadley, adding some harbour rates have been frozen -or lowered for 1993. But for .the .future, Broadley said the village needs to significantly ex- pand its docking facilities. To•cnsate another 300 slips, a new harbour, likely extended innq:thelake, would be needed. He showed photographs of similar.facilities on the ;Michigan side of the lake. He admitted such a .plan would be "in.the longterm",but said for the present the village could hope to revive thein -water boat -shows of past years to attract the boating crowd. Parking for 3,000: Marlin Siren, speaking for the parking committee, pointed out the streets in the Plan 24 core cottage area are too narrow to al- low parking. "Sometimes I feel sorry for parkers because they can't tell where the road allowance ends or if they're parking in someone's front yard," said Si- ren, who said the parking problems have given the village much bad pub- licity. With widening those streets an impossibility, she said Grand Bend really. needs 3,000 new municipal parking spaces by the year 2000, with the first 400 in place at least by 1995. "We've got to figure out how we can afford it," insisted Siren. Seniors Centre: Barry Richmond said the parks and recreation commit- tee also has lofty goals. He said a Community Centre for Seniors is needed to recognize the fast- est growing segment of Grand Bend's population, but he also called for an outdoor sports complex, custody of all village beaches, and the construc- tion of a beach boardwalk to make the shoreline more accessible to seniors and the handicapped. Richmond said similar boardwalks in Goderith and Kincardine are good examples to follow. Street upgrades: Phil Maguire, a village councillor representing the waste management and public services committee, said the public has come to expect more and more services from their municipalities, but he predicted that user -pay programs would play an important role in those services. He said the beg -tag garbage collection program may soon be followed by metered water. Grand Bend will need beuer sewer systems to reduce beach pollution, and a "vigorous street upgrade program" would be need- ed, including proper storm sewers for the whole village. After being given nearly an hour to mingle with the presenters and view the displays, the public was given a chance to respond to the presentations. Most comments were favourable, praising the various committees for their visions. Others wondered aloud how such projects could possibly be f ded by a village of Grand Bend's sire, even with anticipated future growth. d "You don't start off with a flower," commented businessman Martin Shakespeare, calling for immediate plans to help businesses. "You start with a bud." He said he didn't expect many business owners really believed in plans of distant parking areas with mini -bus shuttles, but he said allowing street cafes might.improve pedestrian traffic on Main Street and boost business. "I believe if we have another bad summer we will lose 50 percent of the businesses on Main Street," said Shakespeare, who also called the overall condition of core buildings "a disaster area". "Let's get some bylaws. Let's get a theme going. Let's get this place back on the map," he said, drawing applause from the audience. Bob Mann called the "whole concept...a very encouraging one", but wondered about the lack of intermediate steps to reach its goals. He also cautioned the idea to create a ring road bypass might fail as it has in Atlan- ta. Anne Skinner, a Lakeshore cottage owner, wondered if the whole plan sounded a little too antiseptic and sterile. "I'm hig a lot about people and the need to make them happy," she said, adding the plan depicted a Grand Bend "so cleaned up, so pro- grammed, so organized" there may not be any room left for its untouched natural assets. Richmond assured her protection of natural habitats was still part of the \overall plan. He agreed the village would have some new "manicured" ark areas, but does want to improve on natural assets.and is even talking to the conservation authority about creating a "mini wildlife conservation area". Siren added her parking committee .also has "no Mans to pave paradise and put up a parking lot". Laurie Mennell of Southcott Pines also expressed doubt the village could afford all the projects envisioned. He estimated a cost of up to one billion dollars and were impossible "unless you're going to strike oil in the park over here". Ivey agreed perhaps not everything would be possible, but noted the strategic plan would be open to continual change to meet the village's changing circumstances over the years. 4 Barbara Nhrealdon (right) hands out leaflets for the Grand Bend Parks and Recreation Committee, which envisions a vil- lage with a seniors centre, an arts centre, and a network of bi- cycle and fitness trails. AVO G.S.T. Nut) P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. ][l0 G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. N N NO NO NO NO NO NO NO I NOG, NO P., NO G., NO P.S N P.S NO G.S NO P.S. NO G.S. NO P.S. NO G.S.1 NO P.S.T NO G.S.T NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. iV O G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.O.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. NO P.S.T. NO G.S.T. •An outer harbour to add 300 new docking slips. •The hiring of a Promotional Development Officer to help meet objectives. •A 'ring road' to bypass the village and its main intersection. •A new Tourism Information Booth. •3,000 new municipal parking spaces to eliminate most street parking. • A community centre for seniors. •An outdoor sports complex. • A beachfront boardwalk. •A Centre for the Arts. •A renovated tore area with small lots , consolidated for year-round residences. •A network of bicycle paths and fitness treitt. •A Junior Chamber of Commerce for young entrepreneurs. •Custody of all Grand Bend beaches. •Services expanded to meet growth, including storm sewers for greets. NO G.S NO G.S.T. 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