'A 20-YEAR BUILD-OUT PLAN IS NOT ACCEPTABLE'

May 9, during the hybrid regular meeting council. The players looking to score changes — specifically on reducing the construction timeline from the current 20 years to two or three — included former two-term mayor David Reid, fellow developer and local businessperson Peter Anas, paramedic and the town's largest software company owner Dean DiMonte, landscape architect David Huycke and group spokesperson Ron Warburton — an engineer and managing partner of a $300million investment fund.

"There are a few things overall we'd like to potentially tweak, but overall it is an excellent plan," Warburton said.

His presentation showed areas where the town could save money and time by following the priorities of most respondents to a recent survey and forming partnerships with private developers. When he finished, Mayor Walter Stack agreed with the overall goal.

"A 20-year build-out plan is not acceptable to the community," said Stack, who joined council in 2005. "It has to be a condensed time frame from 20 years. We've been working for 20 years on it."

He also sided with the presentation that Robert Simpson Park "needs to be a priority" to allow families to access the waterfront and swim safely. That would mean, according to Warburton, cutting swaths of land from the hill behind the beach to widen the parking lot (allowing vehicles to turn around) to make room for a wheelchair-friendly ramp and resurrecting the breakwater in its original location just west of the beach to prevent sand erosion.

Coun. Lynn Grinstead indicated that much of the presentation should have been in the plan presented to council months ago.

"A lot of these ideas have been bouncing around for as long as I can remember," Grinstead said. "Some of them — I didn't understand why they weren't in the proposal when it came to us."

Coun. Tom Burnette agreed with the section of the presentation guarding against a four-storey lookout tower at Bell Park. The retired fire chief sees it as a danger that could result in a lawsuit for liability.

Coun. Ted Strike didn't object to the ideas presented but reminded all present that it isn't clear who owns some of the lands involved and which authorities are in charge — for instance, the federal department of fisheries and oceans will likely have a role to play in work on the Ottawa River and marina.

Coun. Chris Toner said the town's long-term forecast budget is already facing a shortfall. With the presentation suggesting the town take out a $5.1-million loan for the Madawaska River west projects alone, it would add $84,000 annually for five years to that existing shortfall. (That is, provided government grants, town reserves, fundraising and more is able to offset additional costs totalling $3 million.) Warburton noted that a debt costing $1 million annually will be paid off this year.

"It's something we believe the town can manage," Warburton said.

Projects on the east side would take place a few years later and cost $326,000 annually over five years.

The presentation's central means to save time and money has to do with the creation a harbourmaster building, an upscale restaurant on the now-wooded area between the existing boat ramp and marina. Also on the ground level would be a patio with access to the public boardwalk, public washrooms, ice cream shop, a convenience store and an outdoor equipment rental shop. Above could be condominiums overlooking a new marina. All could be built by 2026, according to the presentation.

Provided water and sewer lines can reach the area and the land elevated (all requiring studies), a private developer could contribute financially to the project that would create a new revenue stream for town coffers.

"To create a fun atmosphere to draw people in," Warburton said in his description. "People walking by could join someone for a beer or coffee overlooking the water."

Staff will included aspects to the existing plan and present to council at a future meeting.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: A group of prominent residents recently suggested changes to the town's official waterfront redevelopment document. Reporter Derek Dunn takes a closer look at what's being proposed.