Life’s a beach

Wellington’s crown jewel has its fair share of problems

Envisioning a picturesque beach after the recent snowfall might seem like a dream, but for some Wellington residents, it’s more of a nightmare. At Thursday’s Committee of the Whole, several concerned residents provided deputations on the current day-to day operations at the beach, and what they feel needs to be improved moving forward.

In 2017, County staff renewed its Wellington Beach Operating and Improvement Plan and bylaw with the Ministry of Environment, which meant the County would continue the active management of the beach from the Ontario Government. The plan covers raking and grooming the beach, removal of debris, monitoring the boat launch and park activities, cleaning washrooms, repairing the road and boardwalk, and repairs to the channel breakwall. Wellington resident William Cobban believes that since that time, the beach has become neglected. “Few of the recommendations have been implemented. There is no regular beach cleaning, no monitoring of the boat launch and park, and apart from the mass planting of parking signs, since removed, no traffic and parking management. The result is a neglected beach, at risk of becoming a public health and safety hazard,” said Cobban. He is hoping the County can remedy these issues before next summer as he believes they will only become larger and more complicated. “Our beach is an integral part of summers not just for Wellington, but for the entire County. It is our crown jewel, we should look after it,” he said.

Garbage overflows from the containers at the and of a long weekend.

John Inwood and Barry Davidson spoke on behalf of the Rotary Club of Wellington, which has a long history of adding improvements to the beach. In 2005, the Rotary Club of Wellington committed to an ambitious project of improving the facilities at the beach, coinciding with the Rotary International centennial. At that time, the club estimated it would cost $300,000 to build the boardwalks and benches, a new washroom and picnic area gazebo, and to add signage and electrical outlets for overnight docking. Through fundraising, in 2009, the Rotary Club completed the upgrades and the name Rotary Beach was adopted. The County was to maintain the beach on an ongoing basis, with help from the Rotary Club. “Each spring our club holds a work party to help with maintenance. We sweep the sand off the boardwalks and sweep the beach for debris,” says Inwood. But he believes a once a year cleanup isn’t enough. “We have become the victims of our own success. The beach and boat launch facility have become ever more popular year after year,” he said.

Davidson told council that there might be an opportunity to use volunteers on the beach, much like the Millennium Trail Ad Hoc Committee that he runs. “The organization that we have there is demonstrating that volunteers are interested in helping the County and improving things,” said Davidson. Ultimately, the Rotary Club wants to partner with the County, but expects it to pull its fair share of the weight. “We as the Rotary Club would like to be partners with the County, but we also expect and call on the County to ensure that funds and direction are committed for a harbourmaster to manage and enforce the boat launch fees and docking fees, and collect the appropriate revenue which has been lost.” Inwood would also like to see dedicated staff to manage parking and day use of the beach, dedicated weekly staff to clean the beach of debris and dead fish, and to consult the Rotary Club on changes and improvements. “We have ideas, we have volunteer hours, and we have some potential funding to go forward,” said Inwood.

The Wellington Auxiliary Rescue Association is the first responder to marine emergencies covering 2,400 square kilometres in Lake Ontario. John McCrea, Unit Leader of the Coast Guard Search and Rescue Auxiliary says the dredging of Wellington channel is vital in providing emergency services on Lake Ontario. “If Wellington Channel continues to not be maintained at a depth of at least five feet, we are in danger of losing the designation of a safe haven and harbour, and losing the Coast Guard maintained lighthouse marking the site entrance,” said McCrea, adding that this past boating season alone, Wellington Rescue came to the aid of nine individuals in emergency situations.

Business owner and Chair of the Wellington and District Business Association Evan Nash was blunt on the troubles at the beach. “The problem is the County. The problem is the municipality and the staff. They are obstinate about the use of the beach. Rotary put together a beautiful beach as a project, and you wrecked it,” said Nash. With its popularity growing, Sandbanks Provincial Park frequently reaches capacity before noon, and overflow traffic is directed to Rotary beach. Nash believes that the County is missing out on a solid revenue stream. “Imagine if the County could make money from the Sandbanks beach. This is your Sandbanks beach, and you don’t take advantage of it. It’s really disappointing to watch our beach turn into our toilet,” said Nash.

Councillor Bill Roberts was quick to come to the defense of County staff. “I don’t think it’s productive to throw staff under the wheels of your particular truck. I think if there is a failure it is the failure of council,” said Roberts. Mayor Steve Ferguson agreed. “I’m going to stand up for our staff in the way of which they are directed is a fault of council and that is something we have to attend to,” said Ferguson.

Councillor Phil St. Jean believed the issue lies in the lack of a dedicated parks and recreation department. “I think it is obvious to all of us that the absence of a parks and recreation department is coming back to bite us. I want to see parks and recreation on its own, not buried in operations,” said St. Jean. Since amalgamation in 1998, the parks and recreation department has been re-organized three times, each time Rotary Beach seems to shift to a lower priority.

Councillor Janice Maynard said that council will strive to do a better job, but that the requests would ultimately mean more dollars. “People have to understand when you talk about high expectation and high standards, that comes with a high dollar value,” said Maynard. “The level of expectation and the availability of money and staff to meet those expectations are not jiving.”

It is evident that since the passing of Harbourmaster Chris Bowles in late 2017, the beach and harbour have slipped into a sorry state. Bowles dedicated much of his time working tirelessly managing the inner harbour. He was an active voice at Shire Hall, pushing staff to clean the beach, protect its trees from beaver damage and make any necessary repairs.

Councillor Mike Harper brought forward a motion supporting a detailed Wellington Beach Master Plan, asking staff to put together a report to be brought back by the end of February for budget consideration, as well as an Ad Hoc Committee to be created to oversee the beach operations. The motion passed.