Outdoor enthusiasts will soon have a new reason to get out and enjoy the water.
On Monday, council approved the lease agreement with the Wallaceburg BIA for a new kayak rental kiosk in downtown Wallaceburg.
Councillor Aaron Hall entered a successful motion that will direct municipal staff to prepare a letter for the BIA's grant application on behalf of Mayor Darrin Canniff and council.
The kiosk will operate annually from May to October
Outdoor enthusiasts in Chatham-Kent might soon have another thing to look forward to in the municipality.
Up for council approval on Monday night is the Municipality of Chatham-Kent entering into a lease agreement with the Wallaceburg BIA to open a kayak rental kiosk at Civic Square Park in downtown Wallaceburg.
In February 2021, the Downtown Wallaceburg BIA approached the municipality's Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries department to express an interest in renovating the building and park grounds at Civic Square Park in order to operate a kayak rental kiosk.
According to the staff report, if approved, the kiosk would operate annually from May to October and include a kayak launch for the Sydenham riverfront. The Wallaceburg BIA would offer curated paddle packages that will highlight local businesses, trails and history to the community.
"It is anticipated that this amenity will contribute to the promotion and revitalization of the downtown core," read the staff report.
The BIA has undertaken several steps toward opening the kiosk, including obtaining financial quotes for a dock and kayak launch, meeting with municipal staff and contractors to discuss renovations of the building and accessibility options to the waterfront as well as associated costs.
The report going to council also includes supporting letters from community partners.
"The partnership of the Wallaceburg BIA, the Wallaceburg & District Museum, and the Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak Club is the perfect marriage of three community groups with a common goal: Community revitalization [and] promotion of tourism that will benefit our local museum and businesses that have struggled through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Administrator of the Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak Club Dawne Mudford
The report said the Wallaceburg BIA has already secured $3,000 in grant money from the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab Spark Grant for start-up costs such as lifejackets as well as mentorship to develop a business plan. Additionally, the BIA secured $10,000 from WEtech Alliance to help with the costs of logo design, website and booking development and the creation of a QR code for paddle rentals.
The organization is also submitting an application for the Tourism Relief Fund.
"The Municipality will continue to provide general annual maintenance and repairs on building and ground property as budget permits," the report read. "The BIA shall share the responsibility of maintenance and general housekeeping duties during the months of May through October. The timing of construction will depend on the grant funding."
According to the report, the Wallaceburg BIA will be subject to all financial costs related to the endeavour with the succession of grant funding. The municipality will incur regular annual budgetary costs for general park maintenance for Civic Square Park. There is potential for a slight increase in refuse removal which would be covered in the existing operating budget.