The final design of the Port Elgin waterfront redevelopment has been presented to Saugeen Shores council.
The plan calls for $6.5-million to be invested in the waterfront, including improved washroom facilities, new staging for special events and a splash pad that is proposed to double as a skating rink in the winter.
Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau says he likes the plan overall, but adds the plans for the passenger steam train need to be addressed.
The waterfront plan calls for the train station to be relocated from the main beach to nearby Northshore Park, with a portion of its 1.6 km track to be removed, but Charbonneau says they shouldn't be tampering with what he calls the icon of the Port Elgin beach.
"Moving the station itself to Northshore Park may have some merit, certainly it's going to involve some conversations with the current operator and some other conversations, so it's very preliminary. But I don't think there's any option, in my own view, the train needs to come to main beach, needs to make a loop on main beach, [it] has to happen," says Charbonneau.
Saugeen Shores council is being asked to fund the first phase of the waterfront plan next year at a cost of $1.4-million, which is proposed to be financed through long-term debt.