April 20, 2010

Council first seeks feedback on Transport Canada’s proposal
 
CENTRAL ELGIN, ON — Central Elgin Council wants to inform ratepayers about Transport Canada’s offer to transfer ownership of Port Stanley Harbour prior to Central Elgin’s decision to accept or reject the offer. Details of the offer include:

• 11.7 hectares (29 acres) of waterfront land;
• 52.8 hectares(130 acres) waterlot;
• Enough money to cover dredging and anticipated maintenance costs;
• Soil and groundwater remedial action to (MOE) parkland standards on the East Berm area;
• Landscaping of the waterfront area;
• A public walkway and lookout on the western breakwater; and 
• Removal of the oil tanks on the East Berm so land is free for other uses.

For its part, Central Elgin must keep the Port open to the public for a minimum of two years and must utilize all the Transport Canada money, not including interest, within the Contribution Period. “We did not get everything we wanted but we did get the key elements needed for Central Elgin to take over the harbour without risk to taxpayers,” said Mayor Tom Marks. He said Transport Canada was firm that projects such as a marina, boat launch, Stork Club and splash pad fall outside of its mandate.  If we accept Transport Canada’s offer and finalize an agreement, the municipality will be in a position to seek funding for these additional features through other government programs, partnerships with the private sector and/or user fees he added.

“This is a turning point for Central Elgin. We have an opportunity to move forward or keep the status quo and hope for the best. I, for one, would like the people of Central Elgin to be in control of our own future,” Marks said.