𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

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Thanks to the vision and planning of the preceding councils and the current council, a generational investment has been made into recreation in Saugeen Shores.

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𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, with six ball diamonds, an accessible playground, washrooms, and a rail trail link is up and running. There is room for more diamonds and perhaps an all-purpose pitch that can accommodate cricket and rugby.

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The 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲, or 𝗔𝗪𝗖 was delivered to the public this year. With six competitive lanes, a warm pool, sauna, walking track, fitness and training equipment, gyms, and drop-in programs, it benefits seniors, families, and the whole community.

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𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝘅 is running on a three-year trial, significantly increasing ice time in Saugeen Shores.

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝘅 received a million-dollar upgrade to the facility.

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𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 had upgrades to doors, windows, and the general facility, for about a million.

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𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 will be open in 2027 with two new soccer pitches and new washrooms.

We also have made investments in neighbourhood parks and passive Parks.

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𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, a new neighbourhood park, was opened this term.

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 equipment was upgraded, that is at Gerry’s Fries.

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𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 were added in Summerside, and another trail down the 10th concession is coming.

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𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 received a major investment providing enhanced passive recreation.

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𝗝𝘂𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 received a major investment and more walking trails.

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The 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 was repaired; it also adds resilience to climate change and protects the Lakeshore Road.

Fenton Park

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At 3.5 acres it will be the largest neighborhood

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Park in Saugeen Shores. Just like the above mentioned parks, there will be meaningful public engagement so it reflects the community’s needs.

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These investments total about $𝟳𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀, and it has increased our 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝘆 $𝟯𝟲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 in the last two years, bringing our total debt to $𝟱𝟯.𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻.

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Going forward, we have a detailed 10 asset management plan. This plan includes maintaining our roads, rebuilding roads, and to allow for things like a new fire hall, water tower, and ice pad. Much of it will be financed, and we could reach 𝟰𝟳% 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟲.

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I realize a new ice pad at the plex is high on the priority list for some people. I love the game, I play a couple times a week (in Paisley).

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Candidates can make promises, and promises are easy to make. Running a municipality grounds you in reality.

In our 10-year plan, we have a new water tower, firehall, and ice pad. We are investing $24 million to upgrade the Southampton Wastewater plant.

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Yes, the third ice pad is in the 10-year-plan, and despite what any candidate says, the Water Tower, Wastewater, and Firehall are priorities and cannot be delayed. A responsible council will advance them before the third ice pad.

People have made it clear they will not accept 4% to 6% tax increases year after year. We must live within our means.

So, what can we do to advance a third ice pad?

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𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦! A five-or-six-million-dollar grant would be a game changer.

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I have gone to AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) 4 times to lobby the Government for money. Other councillors go to ROMA. Staff scours and searches for grants all the time. This term we received approximately $40 million in grants. All were for infrastructure and helped our bottom-line immensely. There were no grants for recreation this term. But staff will continue to look. When re-elected I will continue to go lobby for grants. When we get grants, it reduces our capital expenses.

𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱. The Legacy fund was the good work of previous councils. It was a piggy bank for recreation. It is depleted now, but we can continue with a legacy fund for recreation.

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𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆. Groups can raise funds, lobby businesses and corporations, like we did with Lamonts and the AWC. They make a difference.

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A third ice pad is needed. We must have a manageable debt load. We must provide the essential services like water, sewer, fire, roads and sidewalks, etc.

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But, by working as a community, advocating, and especially with a government grant, perhaps we could advance it!

I cant promise a new ice pad right away. What I can promise is a structured plan to get us there.

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Thanks for listening.

Bud.