The Saugeen Shores Council has approved requests from Cedar Crescent Village to push the completion deadline back to September 14, 2026, and has recognized Libro Credit Union as the mortgage holder.
Feb 25, 2025 • Last updated Feb 26, 2025 • 7 minute read
In a vote of 6-2 with one member absent, the Saugeen Shores Council agreed to extend its land lease with the developers of the debated Cedar Crescent Village project located on the Port Elgin waterfront. The new total completion date is set for September 2026, and Libro Credit Union has been approved as the leasehold mortgagee for this $14 million project that has faced delays for over five years. Photo by RENDERING SUPPLIED
In a vote of 6-2 with one member absent, Saugeen Shores Council accepted an amendment to their agreement with supporters of the Cedar Crescent Village (CCV) project along the Port Elgin waterfront. This includes extending the completion deadline to September 14, 2026, and approving Libro Credit Union as the mortgagee.
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The CCV initiative represents a partnership between the Town and a local businessman named Pier Donnini who heads an Ontario numbered company. In 2019, they signed a long-term lease aimed at transforming land that once hosted a train station, mini-golf course, and summer market into a vibrant waterfront area.
However, this project has been surrounded by controversy and delays over these past five years. Many opponents argue that it is too large and unnecessary or unwelcome in their community. The newest plans reveal two distinct building zones requiring separate Building Permits and having different deadlines for completion – one area will reportedly feature a Dairy Queen while another will host two buildings: a restaurant and pavilion; there are even discussions about including another tourist train. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <p Patricia Corrigan-Frank, founder of Port Elgin Beach Preservers stated that these changes are “too little and too late,” urging council to halt all proceedings.
She was among five residents who gave three-minute presentations during the Open Forum before council members gathered to discuss this matter further. She presented multiple reasons why council should deny CCV’s requests.
“The lease between the Town and lessee was signed on December 9th ,2019 – that’s five years plus two months,” Corrigan-Frank noted. She mentioned that in his letter dated February 11th , the lessee claimed he was trying to finalize financing… noting that phase one was supposed to wrap up in just five weeks’ time…” She added that Library Credit Union’s letter seemed like nothing more than an expression of interest.
“How can this council feel confident after so much time about securing financing…?” she asked while reminding Mayor Charbonneau of his earlier assurance that work would commence only when all necessary approvals were finalized. “I hope you’ll honor your word,” she said. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The council’s decision followed presentations from several individuals opposing CCV’s requests during Open Forum alongside closed discussions among council members where CCV spokesperson Pier Donnini appealed for approval regarding lease modifications.
Although many attendees wore ‘Port Elgin Beach Preservers’ protest buttons inside a packed chamber without standing room available-everyone remained courteous throughout; thus prompting no need for police presence during proceedings.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau opened by addressing “concern regarding online comments” which he did not specify but urged everyone present to engage respectfully without name-calling so discussions could unfold peacefully within civility limits. The Town Chief Administrative Officer Kara Van Myall confirmed all representatives involved with Cedar Crescent Village had either shown up at chambers or logged in remotely stating their aim was pushing back total completion timeline by ten months until September fourteen , twenty twenty-six. They also sought approval from Town officials recognizing Libro Credit Union as mortgagee concerning development split into simultaneous north-south stages featuring differing construction areas.
However, this project has been surrounded by controversy and delays over these past five years. Many opponents argue that it is too large and unnecessary or unwelcome in their community. The newest plans reveal two distinct building zones requiring separate Building Permits and having different deadlines for completion – one area will reportedly feature a Dairy Queen while another will host two buildings: a restaurant and pavilion; there are even discussions about including another tourist train. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <p Patricia Corrigan-Frank, founder of Port Elgin Beach Preservers stated that these changes are “too little and too late,” urging council to halt all proceedings.
She was among five residents who gave three-minute presentations during the Open Forum before council members gathered to discuss this matter further. She presented multiple reasons why council should deny CCV’s requests.
“The lease between the Town and lessee was signed on December 9th ,2019 – that’s five years plus two months,” Corrigan-Frank noted. She mentioned that in his letter dated February 11th , the lessee claimed he was trying to finalize financing… noting that phase one was supposed to wrap up in just five weeks’ time…” She added that Library Credit Union’s letter seemed like nothing more than an expression of interest.
“How can this council feel confident after so much time about securing financing…?” she asked while reminding Mayor Charbonneau of his earlier assurance that work would commence only when all necessary approvals were finalized. “I hope you’ll honor your word,” she said. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The council’s decision followed presentations from several individuals opposing CCV’s requests during Open Forum alongside closed discussions among council members where CCV spokesperson Pier Donnini appealed for approval regarding lease modifications.
Although many attendees wore ‘Port Elgin Beach Preservers’ protest buttons inside a packed chamber without standing room available-everyone remained courteous throughout; thus prompting no need for police presence during proceedings.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau opened by addressing “concern regarding online comments” which he did not specify but urged everyone present to engage respectfully without name-calling so discussions could unfold peacefully within civility limits. The Town Chief Administrative Officer Kara Van Myall confirmed all representatives involved with Cedar Crescent Village had either shown up at chambers or logged in remotely stating their aim was pushing back total completion timeline by ten months until September fourteen , twenty twenty-six. They also sought approval from Town officials recognizing Libro Credit Union as mortgagee concerning development split into simultaneous north-south stages featuring differing construction areas.
The dual-phase concurrent construction schedule proposed for Cedar Crescent Village aims at completing both northern (reportedly featuring Dairy Queen ) southern restaurant & pavilion areas scheduled together ending on September fourteenth , twenty twenty-six. Photo provided by SUPPLIED GRAPHIC/Town Of Saugeen Shores
Invited up next stood Pier Donnini representing CCV; he began expressing his regret towards community members, councilors & staff due prolonged development period despite mentioning efforts put forth tirelessly toward achieving “transformative” results appreciated amongst “silent majority.”
