Beach neglect costing tourism dollars ratepayer alleges

PORT ELGIN-

Neglect of the Port Elgin beach is costing the town touristsm dollars, according to life-long resident Wayne McGrath, who was not impressed with the answers he received when he raised the issue at the all candidates meeting Oct. 9.

"It is a sad state of affairs. The neglect is unbelievable.. and this summer was the worst in the last few years," McGrath said after the meeting, adding that none of the candidates actually answered his question about when remedial maintenance work would be done on the beach.

"It has been four years since the Port Elgin and Saugeen Township Beachers' Organization first brought it's concern to council," McGrath said on Monday.

"Senior administration, for whatever their reason, they don't see the value of the beach,"he said, adding they

"ignore" the concerns, not understanding that without the beach, there would be no tourism.

McGrath said the beachers' association has repeatedly tried to draw attention to a "long, long list of everyday maintenance problems" including dirty washrooms, weed-infested beaches, worn benches, litter and aging gazebos that need repainting.

The question was directed to the Port Elgin Ward candidates, including Corrina Serda who said the "Port Elgin beach is one of our greatest assets and we need to treat it as such, because it brings a lot of tourists to our town...," she said, adding if elected, she'd "push" the issue with staff.

Candidate John Rich said they are in the early stages of waterfront re-development process, although the first three plans were "not overly inspiring."

"We have to improve the facilities down there because it is a beacon...we have to improve the facilities and we have to make sure that area is a customer service focussed area..." Rich said.

Originally posted here:
Beach neglect costing tourism dollars ratepayer alleges