Floating dock project raises objections

Councillors had questions and concerns Tuesday night when staff presented an update on the potential installation of a floating dock at Riverbeach Park. 

The costs would include the purchase of a removable dock, in addition to some site improvements to Riverbeach Park and its parking lot. in the There has also been discussion about improvements to the Melville dock, which is expected to see work involving the removal of a concrete surface and a fuel tank used by a previous operator at the site, as well as the fence around it. 

Recreation director Kevin Turcotte explained to council that the Melville dock is a separate project that will move forward later this year, starting with staff mobilizing this summer. 

An information report on Tuesday’s committee-of-the-whole general meeting agenda says town staff have received a preliminary cost estimate of $80,000 from a vendor that provides removable docks for small watercraft entry which will be installed in the area by the walkway along the waterfront at Riverbeach Park.

Town staff said in its report that the dock can be removed and stored  properly during the winter months in a new compound that would be erected at the site. 

The proposed project caused a wave of discussion about the water and shore conditions at the site. 

Coun. Sandra O’Connor said she has heard from water users who say that part of the river is not safe, as there are currents. “The currents don’t get that aggressive until further out in the water,” parks and recreation director Kevin Turcotte responded.

O’Connor said that may end up being true, but that another opinion is needed. “I don’t see this as an ideal spot until we get some professional advice,” she said. 

She suggested other sites for public access with small watercraft need to be explored. “I don’t think we’ve done an overview on this,” she said. 

Later in the meeting, Coun. Erwin Wiens said council needs to move ahead with something for that area and not ask staff for more reports. 

“Somewhere along the line we’ve got to make decisions,” said Wiens, adding that the town shouldn’t “let perfection get in the way of very good” and that safety should not be a concern as the area has been used for decades by young sailors learning the sport. 

Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said an opinion that there are unsafe rapids in the area is not accurate. “This is a really safe area to access the water,” said Zalepa, who is a sailor himself. The current doesn’t get strong until about 75 feet out, he said.

Coun. Nick Ruller agreed with O’Connor, saying staff’s position that the conditions are safe “isn’t backed with anything tangible,” and that a more comprehensive review is needed.

Coun. Gary Burroughs said this project should be a decision that follows the completion of a recreation master plan. “I’m not sure why we’re taking a piece of it and moving it forward now,” said Burroughs. 

Turcotte later said the recreation master plan will encompass everything in town such as parks and other town-owned amenities, and that the town already has a dock area master plan adopted in 2015, which could be updated. 

Currently, many kayakers are using Queen’s Royal Park to access the water, one of three options, along with Balls Beach and the Melville dock area, according to Wiens. 

O’Connor disagreed and said the town has more waterfront points that should be explored, such as Nelson Park and the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.

Balls Beach was previously identified as the best place for a kayak, paddleboard and canoe launch area, but due to erosion there, the location near Melville Street dock is ideal for accessing and launching small watercraft, staff said. 

No decision was made on the floating dock Tuesday as the committee only received an information report.