Lakecroft
Noise top of mind for neighbours of proposed event venue A high-end event venue, complete with five suites, nine glamping tents and a three-bedroom cottage could soon be lining the shore of East Lake in Cherry Valley. At last week’s Planning meeting, Council heard of the proposed construction of a 100- person event venue for […]
Campfire Circle
Development on Natural Core Area worries local groups A camp for children affected by cancer, and other serious illnesses, on a 32.8- hectare property on the north-eastern shore of West Lake located south-west of Bloomfield off Wesley Acres Road was back in front of Council last Wednesday evening for a decision. The proponent—Campfire Circle—filed an […]
Who’s in charge?
Mayor’s office blowup reveals Shire Hall thinking about infrastructure spending Mayor Steve Ferguson has discouraged a council member from asking questions about how well Shire Hall is functioning—for fear of retribution from developers. Mayor Ferguson worries that an internal organizational review, demanded by Councillor Chris Braney, might prompt senior leadership to quit. He fears this […]
Hiring freeze
Council looks to get a grip on rising costs How many folks does it take to make Prince Edward County work? Shire Hall will spend 34 per cent more on staff and wages in 2025 than it did just six years ago. The steady rise in Shire Hall’s management ranks and workforce is causing some […]
Hospital of wood
Eschewing steel and concrete creates warm spaces that may aid in healing A new hospital is taking its first steps. After decades of planning, designing, and haggling over purpose and money, a new hospital is emerging in Picton. It is still early days. Ninety holes are currently being drilled 400 feet beneath the surface. The […]
Hospital update
Virtual update as new County hospital build gets underway The site of the new County hospital is a hive of activity as the long-awaited build gets underway. The ground has been cleared and rock excavation is in progress. A new west entrance has been constructed and a new power feed to the existing hospital has […]
Cost of guessing
Committee weighs the validity of growth forecasts against $300 million infrastructure expansion What happens if Shire Hall spends $300 million getting ready for an unprecedented homebuilding boom—which doesn’t arrive? Or it happens over a longer timeframe than planned? It is the issue burning most brightly at a committee tasked to set waterworks rates for 2027 […]
Dunes Lookout
20 two-bedroom villas proposed for West Lake shore A proposal for a four-season tourist commercial resort located across from the white Church in West Lake at 1874 County Road 12 was in front of Planning Committee last Wednesday evening as part of the first statutory public meeting. Picton resident and local Realtor Sean McKinney owns […]
Defining shore land
Council balks at imposing new rules and drawing new maps When the current Official Plan (OP) took effect in 2021, issues around shore land designation proved too thorny and complex to be fully fleshed out in the document. Council punted the matter to a future debate. Years have passed. In the interim, Shire Hall has […]
Winterlude
Alchemy artists-in-residence hold show at The Grange The Alchemy artist-in-residence program has been taking place in the County since 2017, and always in the growing and harvest seasons through summer and autumn. However, this past week, five artists were invited to witness and be inspired by winter in the County, thanks to a collaboration between […]