A group of shoreline property owners in Saugeen Shores is not happy about the look of Port Elgin’s beach.
Beachers President John Kyles says the area around the beach is not attractive, structures are falling into disrepair, sand erosion is a problem, and something should be done about the property where old water treatment plant stood.
He wants a 1993 Port Elgin waterfront master plan updated to include the entire Saugeen Shores coastline and for maintenance of the beach area to be stepped up this year.
Kyles wants to see private sector investment encouraged, but notes the Beachers don’t want the waterfront to become “another Coney Island.”
He adds community involvement in the process is also important.
Kyles notes beach improvement is not a new issue, he showed council a newspaper article from 1947 about a plan to address the issue back then.
He says the Port Elgin beach used to be a place residents were proud to show visitors, but not anymore.
Kyles says more and more Beachers members want something done, noting he’s spent every summer of his life in Saugeen Shores and the beach isn’t what it used to be.
Mayor Mike Smith says the 1993 master plan is still very relevant when it comes to objectives for the beach, and council will discuss possibilities for improvements during budget talks.