Grey Highlands council is receiving the 2022 year end report for the Eugenia Boat Launch, and is directing staff to renew a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the continued operation of the launch to the end of 2026.
During a meeting on April 5, council received a report from Director of Community and Economic Development Michele Harris. It recommended receiving the year end report for information, and renewing the MOU with the Eugenia District and District Community Improvement Association (EDCIA).
The report says in May 2021, the municipality approved the MOU with the EDCIA for the operation of the boat launch. Under its terms, the EDCIA is required to report annually on its operation.
Included in the year end report, the EDCIA says they saw over 1,000 visitors to the boat launch in 2022 during the operational season, which runs from May to October. Additionally, the EDCIA says they saw visitors from across the province, as well as from Quebec and the United States, specifically from Detroit and Buffalo, but the major of non-local visitors were from the Greater Toronto Area. Over the course of the season, 218 parking passes were distributed to Grey Highlands residents.
“The EDCIA has a long-term relationship with the municipality to operate the Eugenia Boat Launch, which has proven highly successful, with benefits to both the municipality, residents, visitors, and the Eugenia and District Community Improvement Association,” says the report. “Municipal staff work closely with the EDCIA Boat Launch team to ensure efficient operations, compliance with municipal standards, and meet annually, pre-and post-season to review the site, future needs, and any challenges or issues that need to be addressed.”
For the 2022 boat launch season, the EDCIA reported an income of just over $20,000. With around $19,000 in expenses, the boat launch only saw a net profit of $982.
