City considers $15M overhaul of Windsor's Sandpoint Beach

City staff are recommending Windsor's lone public beach undergo $15 million worth of big upgrades.

The majority of recommended changes for Sandpoint Beach are tied to flipping the beach and the adjacent parkland, moving the beach from its current western position to the east. 

That's because the existing beach has a steep drop-off into strong currents at the mouth of the Detroit River.

It's proven fatal over the years: Two men were swept away and died in May.

Sandpoint Beach was established in 1980 and consists of roughly 488 metres of beach front and 1.05 hectares of parkland. Studies surrounding aquatic safety at the beach have been underway in various forms since 2012, according to the city.

A master plan that's been years in the works heads to council Jan. 13. It outlines the parameters of the proposed long-term project and would establish guidelines for it moving forward.

But only $1.5 million of the $15 million estimated price tag is currently set aside in future capital budgets. At the same meeting, the city's treasurer will be asked to try and identify future capital dollars.

"It also allows us a great opportunity to continue to really push for grant funding or other funding sources from upper levels of government because we [would] have a council-approved plan," said James Chacko, the city's head of parks and facilities.

In 2022, the city released a concept design similar to what's now being proposed. Since then, two public consultations have been held — with a more detailed schematic made public this month ahead of city council's first session of 2025.

The proposed plan includes construction of new amenities and facility upgrades, including things such as an accessible playground, splash pad, bigger wildlife area and enhanced beach facilities. 

Chacko says while some similar plans come as more of a "complete package," he believes this one has the ability to be phased in while still prioritizing moving the beach.

"But I would caution that when you talk about the $15 million price tag, the largest driver of that cost is the relocation of the beach," he said.

"It is a very extensive project … both on land and in the water … that sees the removal of and then creation of a lot of linear metres of shore wall of rock revetment."

Chacko wouldn't speculate as to a timeline if the plan is approved and how quickly work could get underway, without the finances in place and guidance from council.

He says until he hears otherwise the plan is to default to the heightened safety precautions put in place this past summer — which included a 2.5 metre fence being erected near the water's edge, and new warning signs in different languages.