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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1971-04-08, Page 200 ERICH 8IGNIa STAR, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 197I • Continued from Page 1. - •404 of crushed. salt. It is tirtArsrtood .. that d rVeerst alterations, operating by early Il1971,'have Increased ,these flgu Y The grain storage elevators are Operated by two companies 'Which are The Goderich Elevator and Tra4it.cfAuPPY, and The p 'gip r Lak Shipping Company. reported, that they handle .approximately, twenty iMillion *whets . annually, The storage refs ip the harbour have a cct .. y ofabcyut 600,000 bualieisa• The, elevator buildings .. . aas.. -4, 4•41"." 777 !JT0P er's, The escarpment urrounding the harbour area ranges to, -about. 100'. •s Most of the property in this `area is .owned by the Federal Gm/err-anent: The Department of Transport leases portions to the Municipality: for recreational purposes • and to various companies , for commercial/ industrial use. The ,navigational aids and equipment are maintained by the Department of Transport and the perrnanent installations are . maintained by the Department of Public Works. INTRODUCTION In assessing ' the needs and priorities of development in the •waterfront areas abutting the Town' of Goderich, it soon becomes. clear that •.a definitive plan for action is required. As one considers the varying potentialities of the several land areas and water lots concerned, tha question of financial capability arises. Is it possible for the Town of Goderich to achieve the aims :established in this proposal without causing a series of annual expenditures that tend to set the general direction'of the rnunic.,ipal budget askew, in the direction of favoring the waterfront area? If 'it were 'to become.' the responsibility 'of the municipality, Uhe`Council would find great difficulty in justifying ' the amount to he disbursed on this prograrrime. • In order to allow us to move in the direction of optimum land use, it is clear, to the, first place, that :,the,, benefits _of the;, development "program, " would range far beyond the immediate satisfaction of `local' ne.4 It is _evident', that the benefits,w•ould T 'd well i•ntoh.... _. _ _ - , - Midwestern Ontario and range .North and. Sotr'th�' along the shores of,the lake, affecting both Canadians and our American visitors. Prom even the cursory glance then, the recorrarriendattor TmpTy i -degree Orinvoivement of 'the Federal Government, the' Provincial Government, their agencies, the Municipality, and, • of course, private enterprise. Thee specific involvement, in dollars and cents,- could only be determined by the extent and the ,quality of the .suggested improvements as their inception time arrived. ' developi'srlg our •wtterl«'r%nt area. The most 'prominent. piece of legislation, The Pa>yka Assistaece ° Act, hast not belen. us d` by the Municipality. The Act allows, the Provincial Minister to make grants. of 50% or up- to $100,000.01) With respect o the acquisition of land and the development of an, approved park. a L ... �. "Whereas a large portion of the Waterfront either is, or could be 'park area, the Municipality must examine' this ,source of financial assist ice in its overall p�t rogra,xt.�`n,,.•�rne.. y In addition, : it is A.Aaf rias a�ia « atsEiji ' y ' a Act could be of significant importance in'the reclamation of existing waste areas. The Federal Government has played .a significant . role with their continued interest in the Goderich Harbour. Without their co-operation, and their financial this THE ROLE OF , p s c time a5 is recreational outlets for. the with the Federal ' Government should not be construed, however, that lease arrangements would be considered advisable in all cases. THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS The development programme covers and includes the following land and •water area&. a.' The Maitland River -flats, ' ieVees;,• and embankments from the . former ;refuse site to the bridge,-cros fng at Highway 21. "b. The Maitlan.d River -the land area under control of the Maitland Qotf & . Country Cl,tlb_; c.The, Maitland River -river golf course. d. The Maitland River --river: wall •water lot and Indian Island e,.7 Snug Harbour, • f The Commercial Harbour -south side industrial complex g. arhour.:..BeachLthe ' maires involvement it would have been impossible to ' develop the existing small boat facilities -which are operated by the 'J' iwn Of (,oderich.' • - • In the.Snug Harbour complex, capital improvements - of $20.0,000.00 have . been `supplemented by wharf repairs. The amount , of the annual operating' budget 'for • the commercial harbbur must be, substantial. In 197:1, it is once again necessary to solicit their. support in assisting the Municipality with �a • justifiiable,expansion of the existing facilities. beach area. h. St. Christopher's Reach -the developing area and ern bah kmen ts. i. Lake • Huron Shoreline from the OWRC 'plant South Co the South Corporate limits including embankments and bluff-top'parkettes. J. Waterfront Access Roads The ten • areas , outlined also include navigable' water, lots where applicable. Areas not as "a., b., and c."°include the, river course•and bed. THEMAITLAND RIVER The. 'very . nature -of- the' river An additional role, of the valley precludes any thought of ' Federal Government is exercised industrial use. However, the through the Department of,. recreational potential of ' .,port-arid--its-,sonlr.,ol over pn.rtianc _ Lir rh river�_._ualley.-..• Federal land areas and nave ahle should be explored. With water ..lots. The Town of development, the existing waste Goderich presently operates areas could not only- be s, approximately 15 acres under conserved but put to good use. A. ,The former refuse site 'and - downstream flats: This, portion of the riverside has been used as the Municipar dumpsite: At the present time, the adjacent area to the Northwest is serving the disposal needs of the Sifto `Salt lease • from the Crown. Without the continued co-operation of the Department of .YPral'isport, it would he impossible for the Municipality to assume ' a controlling role in the waterfront area. - THE ROLE OF PRIVATE s ,ENTERPRISE: 7 Even though itis clear. that, through ownership or lease, the Town of . Goderich exercises control over the major land areas, it is evident that significant 'amounts` of the property includedin thisDplan are presently under, private., control or ownership. The land areas cap,._be divided into three basic 'types:+ industrial, recreational, and waste. The commercial harbour is surrounded by industrial, development. The elevators systems and the minting complex are the ' major industrial backbone of the waterfront area. In assuring their continued operation and, their potential for development, it is obvious that a cb-operative'effort is required to reach an equitable division of land use. " Over the total land area, the. potential for industrial ,expansion must he coupled with recreational land use in a: manner that will'restrict rseith It is esseri.tial that the Municipality establish land use priorities in a way that serves the industrial_ needs of the • ;edmmercial harbour. In addition, it becomes clear that industry must consider the economic merits of "choice of location'; and work closely with Council to ensure an-intlelligent integration of the available land areas. Several areas under private control are distributed over the waterfront area. Some are developed; others are not. Private enterprise must ' be encouraged to maximize the potential of these land areas and ultimately develop facilities to supplement the public recreational areas. In some cases it may be necessary to venture jointly in development programs with the Municipality, and in others, it may become necessary for' the Town of Goderich to _acquire. ownership or control. It 'Should. not be overlooked could be 'maintained and.used as a sunimertirne hiking and nature trail, thus providing seasonal access to one more portion of the rivet.. The costs of this part of the development scheme would be borne entirely by the Municipality. The major expense is obviously the earth -moving required over the former refuse site, but as this is required to complete the closure', the matter should be seen as the `opening' of EV, new and useful area rather than .the ,`clpsin.g' of an old and useless. over : _ *nem • '.. a manor 'expenditure, to add a bavariitn or rope VOW to the skiing area. 'rhe ultimate use Of this portion -of the river valley could only be derived with the co-operation pf the commercial land , holders concerned. The denying of industrial waste Would have ,to be curtailed or pfohibited. THE MAITLAND GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Under the direction of the 'shareholders'•and the Board of Directors, this • area has been developed as a nine -hole golf course. The buildings on the grounds provide facilities for: a clubhouse, dining, and 'a winter time curling program. The company . should .be encouraged to expand their' winter use of the grounds by providing . a. major snowmobile area. Protection .would- have to he 'provided for the nine greens and the putting. practice 'area. Snow fencing could the erected at nominal cost and access could be controlled and •supervised. by • means of a ticket or pass. It would not he impossible to, provide a • simple connecting runway -that would join this area with the ,river flats East of the Highway bridge. As 'a ."means to additional' revenue, the'cluh could provide a canoe and small boat rental - service with access to the river in • the fairway areas West of 'the 40, for a campground of. limited size. hile landscaping and the ins ation Of services is required, it,appears quite evident that a developmental approach to the insttion of facilities would not overburden arc ambitious' developer. It is the . kind of area that could expand " its services as the demand' ori rile falcility, increases. Along with electrical installations, washroom facilities,, and landscaping, the, ,aiea could , become 'the site of a marine installation, for: the servicing find storage of small' • "" later`"alraft':r-etytrpied•°s th Mugicipal idevelopment known M as Fisherman's Cove, the area couldadeq'u'ately provide space for onshore marine facilities to service the proposed Indian ' Island complex:. Indian , Island - can be developed in a manner similar to portions of the Toronto Island Marina facilities. .With the inclusion of a network of floating docks, provision could be made for serving both transient and seasogal boaters: It is clear from recent D.P.W. soundings that Che area can be modified to'' accomni-p'""date"'tsost vessels from 10'- to 40 feet in length. It is clear of course, as stated above; that installations on this island would have to be portahle, enabling easy removal to the upper, plateau each- F all. The North River Wall could be equipped with a catwalk dock - running its entire length. Access to 'the •� Municipal facilities at Snug Harbour could, be provided by means of a stairway and'"ramp .directly North ` of the existing Snug harbour facility. This would provide a reasonable approach -to connecting and co-ordinating the two small boat facilities and would be undertaken by the municipality when Snug Harbour use reaches . its ultimate limits. .. The degree of development, and its quality, over this river Evaporator, Plant with a bulk . SNUG HARBOUR - "60% Increase" refuse dumping area covering the clubhouse., m oath area, would be face of the riverbank bluff which The Municipality , should determined' by the ingenuity and .drains into a settling lagoon on encourage an increased the aggressive nature of a private the upper . floodplain: The programme, organized ' and developer. Private Enterprise by coo an should b J p y ou e encouraged conducted by the Country Club. itself or in partnership with the to find . an alternate means' of As well- as providing additional Municipality, could co=operate disposal. Until such t' GOVERNMENTS' O ERNMENTS.• rt t r • The Town of Goderich, over the- last ' three years, has expended a total of ,$30,000.00 for the maintainance and the. operation of the wate'rf'ront;: •' areas. In addition to this figure, an amount of $23,000.00 has been devoted to capital improvements • with the' addition of functional public washroom.facilities, and the ai�gnifis�ant improvement ;of .-Snug Harbour • by . the construction, of the' Goderich Municipal Marina. The latter -••expenditure was the municipality's supplement to the massive $200,000.00 investment made by. the Federal Government to renovate the_ entire Snug.Harbour area. The Municipality must continue to spend and invest in the waterfront • area. A substantial figure must continue to be included in the annual ,,budget, not only to maintain the existing level of services and the related facilities, but also to allow . the developmental progression of new improvements and additions. The Province of /Ontario, to this date, liars not been involved in maintaining, operating,. ...• or ' improving the waterfront area. It does however, have • a bearing on the physical direction of development With respect to two points. geographical location of the O.W.R.C. filtration plant on St.' Christopher's Beach. The second: is indirect and; as yet, we are not aware of any plan for development concerning the 1Vlaltland River estuary under the guidance of the Maittaorl Valley Conservation Authority, an agent of the Provincial Government,„ sa sbl�''JeVYMss, .,u,. a a„/ W ay+.iGx'1Lu4U •'rY,...1Vi s w•'%'bnY'+nwy%.L.WY•y' The first involves 'only the, ? 7itrW4k ieit:w .. ' rw�koaPs'jrttr .W i1cS�ttbilfaft* Caobvernmeutr have- establistred i+Ciittea - of access to financial *stance that could. -•be -tied in par is lar area is closed, •a community, the increased traffic under .the terms of the Marina ,physidaj division separates the at the club facilities would Policy of' the Department of usable areas._ • - become an additional source of Transport. The "downstream flats are 'needed revenue. If Private Enterprise does not covered with scrub. brush and Barring the future .success of, see fit .to invest in 'this type 'of grass. The growth of cedar trees the Country Club operation, the •development, over a reasonable on 'the bankside has hidden a Municipality might find it " period of time, the Municipality former roadway which' once desirable to acquire this resource should take steps to acquire the served as an extension of Nelson as a public facility. land and create a public park Street. • , area to be developed under the Some areas could' serve the MVCA "' Parks Assistance Act. community as an outdoor winter- The Maitland Valley' Conservation Authority should SNUG HARBOUR be • asked to examine the. river course between the CPR, bridge •From' the time of its recent and the highway bridge. With, re -development, Snug Harbour .. has -made an impressive impact the addition of a dam and levees it might be _possible to raise the on the community. Not only summer water level to flood the have the needs of the local plains to the North of the boating ' p u brl i c ,, been accommodated, t the tourist existing water course, This !coating public hav Vso found a warm reception ithin the recreation area. With moderate improvement, accommodation could be provided for` the needs of snowmobile enthusiasts, tobogganists, and, junior skiers. The . Municipality should proceed with the final closureiof the open dump. In doing so, the face must be bulldozed to, an acceptable angle of descent to g y g through prev'e`nt;' ufl in erosion, and there, must be provision for the extension of storm .sewer outlets which terminate at the top of the bank from Maitland Road. The entire surface should be covered with clean fill and grassed. Rather than alter the shape of the precipice by moving earth in a simple fan shape, it would be desirable to extend the northern slope in a manner that would serve the needs of amateur skiing enthusiasts. An area of the upper surface could be preserved as a parking area with access by means of the existing roadway. would, in effect provide a small inland lake. If•Such a pro1ect were feasible Municipally operated facilities. .without affecting the' golf ft would be' very easy to point course, an area useful for fishingto a series of statistical tables to justify the need for major comprehensive 'feasibility' study and boating could be created. As 'changes at Sntig Harbour after be conducted at an early date by well as - creating a useful area only three years of operation as the'Federal Government. from existing inaccessible 'It would' be advantageous to,. wasteland, the natural beauty of a modern, up-to-date facility. g In ' the last year, 'revenues the entire Midwestern Ontario the,valley would be enhanced. reflect a 60 per cent increase Region if the port facilitya,could. • If a , feasible project is with a proportionate increase in be utilized as a break -of -bulk possible, it should be financed as casts. Dockage payments to the point for the manufacturing of part of the 'continuing "Department of Transport have agricultural and other products, , conservation programme of the increased '40 per cent in one using the raw materials involved Maitland Valley Conservation yeah. The number of daytime in ihternational and coastwise Authority. stops ,by vessels travelling North trade. The feasibility -of bulk and South has increased to freight shipping (other than INDIAN ISLAND approximately 600.•grains and salt) should be • The area commonly known asconsidered. Container and A perimeter of trees could be ""Indian island has the greatest In one year.stopover traffic package freight facilities may be could be included to the East of recreational area. It is in this • Double and triple -moorings have At this time there are certain the proposed ski slope. ' portion' of otir waterfront, area been., 'common. The facility has known ,"manufacturers who . A. trail could be provided for; that' Private Enterprise has its ` literally, been ;',lammed'; the import/export by water bdrne 'snowmobil'es. beginning at the greatest:role to fulfil, accompanying phoiographs� can traffic at some point in their former Nelson Street extension. The island is accessible from attest to this fact. Many visitors collection/distribution process, This would lead along the an elevated plateau which is free are simply entering the main in the irrimediate area. It is ,riverbank through the treed area, - from the peril's bf winter ice and harbour area and turning to evident that many proceeding to the flats below. springtime flooding. Although., carry on their journey due to The open area is a good 'running the plateau is the only area lack of space, manufacturers throughout- the MODA region require' the area' for snow machines and suitable for permanent facilities, * With regard to seasonal , services of . the -water borne Thii:ty-two feet of rack; apace was provided for ligh> weight - sailing graft of 16' and under. An adwdanal 150' 4ofnrnairi dock area, formerly --.allots i to the tourist traffic *as given to seasonal. users. With these improvements, the inner harbour area was taxed to its limit. The Harbour • Conunittee was required to refuse, applications for approximately 700' of seasonal dock space that could not be„provided. The 1971 demand is higher solution to those transportation development since the early needs. (Referen a might be 19607s. It functions today as a made here to the Manchester large waterfront park/play- Liners freight; containers in ground and beach area. St. circulation from Huron County Christopher's Beach and the area to Montreal as one example.) to its South are among the most Upon completion of the valuable assets on the Lake proposed stud►, the, Huron shoreline. Municipality must give The area requires Consideration ”" to; financialdevelopment under the Parks participation in any changes Assistance -Act to ensure the deemed "requisite in' dockside future availability of this land facilities and equipirnent. and' 'water area for future • * * * ' ' citizens seeking public Changes will be requir&d in waterfront recreational facilities. again: Applications outside . both the structure and location • Hurd'ri County must be refused of, dockside ..buildings ori South �. LAKE H'URON'SH\ OREl,.1111".E ._ a r 4:•.ti.t4.19K4^.x•.:r ,+. R,e�ul�.:..tn...",�>< 1',�:1��:x4olrre"�'�F^1'a�l�t�-'-�'1�'..w%'-si3'irplYs�t�•ra• . from inland•points as far away as present a nlpre modern and This section of waterfront is Barrie, Orangeville, Kitchener, , pleasing appearance, certain, undeveloped wasteland: For a and London. buildings require . demolition„ ; number of, years the The Snug Harbour facility and/or replacement: must be modifed. More probably, however, In- order 'to maintain an • changes in the commercial adequate system of stopping network on the South side of points on the Canadian side of the harbour will necessitate the Lake Huron,. the ". Goderich reloca.ti'ora of existing -buildings. facility for small boats must be As land becomes available, the expanded. At this time, it is Municipality should .; acquire becoming more clearthat ownership or control. existing congestion is beginning It is evident, with the growing tb drive patrons away: The handle of -the salt commodity; seasonal demand is increasinr;; that the DOMTAR complex will the 'tourist traffic will reduce if require more "dockside- loading more "accommodation is not facilities. It is doubtful that provided. , these can be proaided'' on 'ithe The very ' nature • of the North side -of the harbour area: required changes, makes it More probably, additional impossible for the Municipality . surface storage and -an additional to finance the work. We must shaft will be required on the ,depend on the graces of the ',South side of the Harbour. If Federal Government for their this expansion,, materializes, it continued co-operation and should be encouraged. There is support.'. The Town of; Goderich -adequate- space 4n the .existing must be prepared, to examine its commercial zone to provide the role With the Federal officials to necessary area for the make these needed additions a cdnjectured facilities. reality. .,_ * Interim measures, such as the The water area of the harbour provision of mooring buoys and and channel has its! own special use of the North Harbour wall problem. It would appear that are inadequate. • the installation of sheet piling .along the docks has -THE COMMERCIALHARBOUR compounded , the .problem of The "commodity changes on a harbour "swell". It is cargo table are a reflection^ of understood that the Federal both the increased production of Government has examined a this salt and the'decreased°imports of ,problem but results of these. western grains as farmers in .the studies have hot been reported.' region beganto raise more of The ell" t serious their own animal ,feeds, (•1970-' 'problems with the mooring of saw 98 salt boats and 55, grain vessels large and small, As well as boats in Goderich'harbgur.) 'the inconvenience factor, it has The traditional relation of been a source of damage' to both foreign and coastwise shipping vessels and --the docks. Corrective : has.also I een_disru.pted-.- By 19&1 measures should -be,undertaken. foreign cargo represents 43.7 per . • . cent of total volume whereas 10 HARBOUR BEACH years earlier coastwise .shipping • With the recent addition of a was about 71/2 times new public washroom and -f reign sh ppin , This, is ahresult comfort station the ^min g of increased salt exports,to the' 'harbour'beaCh provies adequate United States. service for the needs of The stability of trade -flow, recreational patrons. Picnic patterns requires further facilities and playground examination: equipment are placed in strategic locations: • The water area' is patrolled by a staff of four summer employees and public safety is thus protected. The teach Patrol operation has beenr�. improved annually with more firmly established routines and additional equipment. • Supplementary to the public facilities, • there. are - two concessionaires located . on , the beach to . provide --- light refreshments. There seems' to be a potential for an updated dining, facility in this area overlooking a the waterfront. r • "swell" creates, *,f * In " �' December , 1968, the Midwestern Ontario Regional . Development Council published ' the following comment as part of its development shceme: ".The port facilities _ of Goderich could be enlarged and modernized to accommodate ,water -borne bulk • 'freight movements on the Seaway route and - to generate additional freight movement to.and'from .. the' western section of ' the (MODA) region i.e. the development of a regional -is proposed that 9,0 v 1 - port. established. A tohoganning area, potential for development as a Jassasaineretsed by ipe boats desirable.' J,�tr���€t:��a ��et���•�f?�@ •'wpuiJ� � v�d AD -.;».easily i ec>,u ov de the recess dot a e a lications an JYa, . .i• , YL`' „/ /\j • 1lryKyy 1 -0.. w.y�..,.�y.„'w�r »..r • �►p,Ir ' ,P 1�5..,}..9y.�. ,h.... ... 1A..'./.•// ". ��:�.�y��y�� /7 ci ^! • {- arho .fW"'M•CMC�G'.V r.A^ w.WM�'« .. V.M1.Y.W.wM/i'vn•.•1Y'Y }a'V-YwT.M-.+a. a� 11 '1` I•.F+W.»i.`itV1, K'F•^Yn+,, .1 . yi��`1 'S' VV.�7r.'��•.%s.ib1"A.�•�.�M1V11 VA. �y d'M'^►.^d�56�"I'A"Y�J�•�'27iL:J17%] y'+ ,}., t!: n, p, t�... °P , } ���• y .,.�..d-.. "�i �i ,�,r'�,Ws!I,a�y+"�►+P�'+�.!'�k�',i ���� '""�C, `1vi� p,,�!�i:�'�;'3''ii��' y��7i�b !"�ltttt�:+a1 ".+..i,►^•'•+w'ii+A"Yi'v,Y��' as ew�w +k�1. � 'kh. x�� � � "C'- "C" il�''� Y�i�r�w ' i� i., � '� '�0 '►s'd 'tCY •ye�ba+.•�n '% i' ►7I W �til� fS tee {/iota C• Continued under the successful Y,nachines away from the town of portable installations -required for sevetrextrarveobls (16' -each) " is e gprivate streets. It is entirely feasible that for the Iow,er level, byaddingsli dock s ace South the heed' not only the extent ty management of Yof enterprise on a lease basis. 11 the propoed snowmobile area The plateau • has a otential p p the heed' but alsH''the suitability p of 'the westerly, catwalk. of Goderich Harbour .as a • ST. CHR.ISTOPHER'S•BEACH . This area has been under Municipality has been dumping clean rubble on the shoreline to convert swale to usable land. * * * • In considering a development programme for St. Christopher's Beach and, the Lake Huron shoreline south, it is necessary to deal with both together, First: The Municipality must proceed to acquire control under lease or ownership of certain areas. • Second: Erosion control measures must be studied with the assistance of the Provincial Department of Energy and Resources to prevent --further wasting of affected areas. 'The feasibility of installing "funnel groins" or similar sIu xe building apparatus 'should be examined with a 'view to the. long-term conservation of both°beach and bluff areas. - Third: '• A comprehensive, detailed plan of development should be prepared to maximize recreational use of this . waterfront area.' , The following' items should be ,- considered: bathing area, picnic facilities, parkland, landscaping and erosion control, hiking trail (Hibernia Terra a area), camping (teht and trailer), small boat. refuge, accessory buildings. - Fourth:'' the plan should be - executed under the Parks Assistance Act. „1. WELCOME •SERVICE would=like to calf on you with "housewarming' •. gifts" • and information about your new location. • The '" Hostess.. .will be glad to arrange your subscription' to the SIGNAL -STAR. Call her at 524-9525• mlhlllllllllllllll'lilt^1111111111111111W1IUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII �° SPH/l0, fOPflfRsa rs: • • i .sr • 0 Yy, JOE'S BP Service Station and Coffee Shop •' 411 Huron Rd., Goderich 524-6871 ti BLIC OTICE Regardless of rumours you may have. heard or read, we are still carrying on our backhoe, 'bulldozing and topsoil business as usual"at our same location, RR 2, Go rich, • across from Com' Shaeffer Pen. " N RR .2, .GODERICH 524-7123 4 i'a+,' t4arw'