Revised plan May 7, 2013

There is an exciting concept for the redevelopment of Port Stanley harbour which has so far never been shown at any of the public meetings the Municipality of Central Elgin has had on harbour visioning, yet it has been presented to Central Elgin.

When Port Stanley's harbour master, Scott Payne, started discussing ideas and showing some of his concept sketches for redevelopment of Port Stanley harbour with Verne Furber, owner of The Roxy Diner, it started the ball rolling for a harbour vision that would truly turn Port Stanley into a destination of choice.

Discussions with business people with lifetimes of experience at turning a profit and an urban planner (Ted Halwa) started the ideas flowing like water. Bert Dennis, an architectural draftsman, took Payne's rough scotch-taped-together sketches and turned them into a professionally drafted scale drawing.

"This is something that has to be done by a professional developer," Furber says. "It's not a thing that can be done piece meal by Central Elgin. It requires a professional developer with the expertise in harbour development. There's no point in having Don Leitch do it; what does he know about harbour development?"

Now at this point you might want to open a second window on your computer screen so you can flip back and forth between this article and the large size drawing of this vision. Full Size View You might want to click your second window open to the 1920 screen size (click at the top of the screen) and scroll a bit so you can see all of the details.

The plan focuses on the harbour being a recreational harbour that can still accommodate the commercial fishing fleet and greatly expands on retail commercial opportunities. It also narrows the width of Kettle Creek which speeds up the water flow. Faster flowing water cuts a deeper channel and drops its suspended silt load farther out into the lake, reducing dredging needs and costs.

East Side of Harbour

On the east side near Inn on the Harbour, the plan calls for the creation of two fishermen's alcoves. This accommodated commercial fishing boats as well as up to eight deep draft recreational boats that can't get under the bridge because of the water - or larger sport fishing boats.

Condos are to be built backing onto the hill, currently owned by Dr. Busteed, between Main Street and Little Beach. None of the access to the water is lost but the condos will have terrific lake views. They may require the roadway being moved a bit to the south to allow some rear yard space for the condos.

"You can't control consumers by having only five options and telling them to pick one of the five," Furber said. "We don't have enough retail now. Have you ever been to Niagara-on-the-Lake? The concept of having those direct-to-you stores; we need to add 10 to 15 more retail stores here. These condos are to be built identical to the one next to Mickey's, where you have retail stores on the ground floor. We need another 25 retailers with imagination."

The existing berm becomes primarily a gated and fenced shipping compound for the ferry. It shows lots of public parking, a boat ramp with dry dock and repair shop; and volley ball, tennis courts and a food arcade on the Little Beach side.

There is also a road that leads to the new bridge which leads to the whole new area created from dredged silt and constructed along the east breakwater. It is a land reclamation project just like the one that created the existing berm. This one has a new east marina with a 40-60 room hotel. It is bordered by an amusement park which has a band shell facing out towards the lake, a splash pad and a winding water way for inner tube rafting.

There is an entertainment park, and where the drawing shows a casino and a restaurant, because that is prime waterfront, Ted Halwa suggests covered pavilions (like the ones at Pinafore Park in St. Thomas) that can be used by the public and even booked for family reunions and corporate events.

On the far west side of this new area is a ferry terminal and customs office, in the event a ferry proposal is accepted. The new area also incorporates a lot of public parking and the ferry terminal is the reason for the shipping terminal compound on the existing berm.

West Side of the Harbour

The group suggests a small casino for the Olmstead building and adding a second floor for administrative offices. New casino licences are generally granted only to First Nations. We have no First Nations community in Central Elgin, but Furber says there's no good reason why we can't invite a First Nations group to partner with us in such a venture, as it would also be a good opportunity for them. "There's always Native land claims and this might be one way to address some of those," Furber suggested.

Adding to that location for a small casino, Furber has an idea for the Richardson grain silos/elevators that will turn them into an arts centre. There are a number of places where silos of this type have been turned into condo apartments with retail stores in the bottom, "but you might have to take down one or two of them because of views." Furber suggests painting the silos brilliant tulip colours and putting a building around them that is an arts studio in the centre with retail stores around the outside edge. On the top of the silos a large 15 foot water pipe wand is installed with a pumping mechanism (either in the water on the ground) to pump water from the creek through the pipe to create a high, artificial waterfall that reaches out over and past the walkway, dropping the water back into the creek. The top of the silos is also the perfect place to install lights to produce a coloured light display playing on the falling water. The concept also adds an observation deck all around the top of the silos, with tables, chairs and umbrellas. This use of the Olmstead building and the Richardson silos creates a unique and highly artistic tourist attraction that allows for full public interaction.

It is also fully compatible with the Lakes Terminals domes and MNR areas being turned into parking lots to service both Main Beach, the casino and arts centre, and the new marina to be built along the east side of the west breakwater. The rebuilding of the west breakwater (often called the pier) services the public desire to be able to walk on it, and the new west marina.

Conclusion

The plan was presented to Central Elgin but the group has heard nothing back on it. Councillor McNeil told them the municipality did not want to spend their $13 million. "They don't have to spend their $13 million," Furber said. "This isn't the only concept. You get the right developer to spend the $20 million and be willing to get their money back on it over 15 to 20 years. The developer will have plans and ideas that have been determined as profit generating. That's how other waterfronts in Ontario have been successfully developed, including the one in Collingwood."