Thunder Bay waterfront plan gets council approval — but not without debate
Thunder Bay council wants the best area for more boat slips, and wants festival area at marina redeveloped
Thunder Bay council agrees with a plan to re-develop Prince Arthur's Landing, but was divided on the proposal to create more boat slips.
At a Thunder Bay city hall meeting Monday night, council voted to approve the development plan, but told the consultants to specifically look into creating boat slips at the former Pool 2 elevator, end of Pier 3, Tugboat Basin, and near the old iron ore dock.
The project's consultant Jessica Hawes said the Tugboat Basin was not on the books as being a good spot for a marina — but public opinion differed.
"We did hear that there was a strong positive response for the master plan vision," she said.
"But, we also heard strongly that there's a need of closer consideration of a marina in Tugboat Basin."
The consultant recommended Pool 2, Pier 3 and the iron ore dock locations, but council added the Tugboat Basin location.
"We really have over promised and under delivered when it came to the boating community," said Coun. Iain Angus.
Festival area rebuild?
Later at the council meeting, the idea of rebuilding the festival area at Prince Arthur's Landing created some tension.
Council heard that a consultant recommended revamping the area by building a new bandshell, while also expanding washroom facilities and site infrastructure.
Councillor Frank Pullia was opposed to spending $5 million on the upgrades.
Bit city manager Tim Commisso said the current festival area needs work.
"These things take a real toll when you have the type of intensity of festivals that we're seeing," he said.
"You have to plan for them."
Council voted to approve, in principle, the revamping of the festival area in the first phase of redeveloping the waterfront.
Work could take up to five years to complete.