A major waterfront investment in Port Elgin is a step closer to reality.
Saugeen Shores Council has approved conceptual drawings and will seek construction tenders for The Beach House, an expansion of the existing washroom facility at the foot of Green St.
Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski says The Beach House is intended to be a landmark of the Port Elgin waterfront, and will also feature a restaurant, foot washing stations, outdoor showers and office space.
Jagelewski says it's hard to say how much the expansion will cost, pointing out construction tenders can vary depending on various outside factors. She declined to speculate on what the final figure might be.
Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau says it's all part of about $1.8-million council is planning to invest in the waterfront this year. He says putting money into the waterfront is long overdue.
"The Beach House, the boardwalk, the work down on Harmer St. in Southampton, you look at all the work we're thinking about doing in the year 2017, it will be a transformative year, one the likes of which has not occurred in my lifetime," says Charbonneau. "And it's about time."
Council is expected to go out for tenders on the Beach House later this month, with construction work targeted for a mid-July completion.