Report on new Bay Beach revenue options coming in March
January 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A suite of proposed changes to operation at Bay Beach could net the town an additional $90,500 a year, staff estimate.
The quick analysis performed by staff in response to a council enquiry earlier in January presented several options council will consider during a more fulsome report that’s expected to come in March. The response was provided at the January 29 budget meeting to give councillors as much information as possible while they were finalizing the 2025 budget.
Staff’s ideas for additional revenue generation include a non-resident fee for the boat ramp season passes, alterations to the boat ramp daily parking fee, changes to the Bay Beach parking fee schedule for both on-street and parking lots, and the institution of an overnight parking fee for the Erie Road municipal lot.
Of these options, the parking fee schedule changes are estimated to generate the most revenue at $80,000. Its goal, like some of the others, would be to “maximize prime day revenues.”
Councillor Tom Lewis said he was grateful for the information and acknowledged the need to consider these additional revenues, but also said the Town needs to be aware of the potential impact it could have on businesses in the area.
“While I can appreciate the revenue needed from Bay Beach to offset some of the costs for Bay Beach it’s always been my understanding that Bay Beach was meant to be cost recovery not necessarily cash cow,” he said.
He also asked if staff were planning to include other municipal parking lots in their consideration, which CAO Chris McQueen confirmed was the plan.
“There are other locations we may look to consider,” he said.
The response also included some historical details Mayor Wayne Redekop sought. Namely, between the purchase cost for the property in 2001 of just over $2 million, and the roughly $4 million in work on the property since then, more than $6 million has been invested in Bay Beach since the Town acquired it.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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It was probably too long-winded in any case
My family is owned a summer home at three season Cottage (A registered UHT property and revenue Canada)‘s perspective subject to recent legislation regarding properties owned by non-Canadian citizens)
Nonetheless I have some perspectives that I’d like to share about Fort Erie and his long-term plans
And the revenues that are expected from the plans in and around Crystal Beach and Bay Beach
I’m ready to share those perspectives with you in a candidate open way
I hope I might hear from you
Wayne E. Knibloe
US mobile number
716-864-6599
My email
weknibloe@yahoo.com
THX Luke – Wayne Knibloe – An American Three season residence (Non-Canadian-citizen,
UHT (American citizen) Legacy,property owner…
I appreciate your detailed coverage of the towns revenue generating ideas.
All of the investments in long-term planning that the TOWN has done.
I’m offering a perspective from across our friendly border (I’ve traveled to peace Bridge over 1000 times from my youth to present day)
Notwithstanding the person political climate between the US and Canada
I remain and hope to be considered an interested in involved cross border “friend”
If you would like to reach out to me and get my perspectives on TOWN finances plans for the future etc. that may or may not include the interest of American (Read a non-Canadian citizen, Property owner of long-standing); The Knibloe family cottage was purchasing 1964…
Anyway Luke, I’m available to you for an alternate perspective on the towns objectives long-term
And how i As property owner as a property owner (I’ll be at a non-Canadian citizen property owner)
Used and feels about the initiatives of the town relative to our family interest in our three season summer Place (Categorized by revenue Canada as a UHT property…)
And have taken too long to explain my family’s personal circumstances
But I’m ready to share any perspectives you might care to understand
Truly
Wayne E. Knibloe
My US cell phone number
716-864-6599
My email
weknibloe@yahoo. com