The Port Elgin waterfront was the main topic during the Saugeen Shores council meeting on April 28. Staff informed that the Cedar Crescent Village project hasn’t missed any dates on its milestone development schedule. The deputy mayor proposed using the Request for Proposal process for any future beach attractions after council turned down plans for a Splash City at Port Elgin Main Beach.
Apr 29, 2025 •
The expected completion date for the $14 million Cedar Crescent Village development on the Port Elgin waterfront is September 14, 2026. The developer has met all milestone dates in its development schedule. Photo by SUPPLIED RENDERING
The $14 million Cedar Crescent Village (CCV) project along the Port Elgin waterfront is on track according to its milestone development schedule.
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While some of the dates have passed, Town Chief Administrative Officer Kara Van Myall clarified that these are start dates and not completion deadlines.
She provided this clarification during the April 28 council meeting when Deputy Mayor Diane Huber asked what would happen if a significant milestone were to be missed.
Huber noted that while some progress had been made recently at the site, certain tasks related to electrical work, civil connections, concrete work, heating and cooling, and plumbing were scheduled to have been completed by now.
“When do we get to a point where we will hear about a milestone being missed – what is that target?” Huber asked. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Van Myall explained her interpretation of the milestone schedule shared by the developer in February indicates these dates mark when work is supposed to start.
“It wasn’t a milestone to be missed. It was the start of that work,” she said, referencing the April 21 date for electrical work which can only begin once there’s an actual building in place, adding “no milestone has been missed at this point.” The CCV project is a partnership between the Town and an Ontario numbered company led by local businessman Pier Donnini, who signed a lease lasting 50 years in 2019.
This development plays a key role in revitalizing waterfront areas where amenities like a tourist train station, mini-golf course and summer market used to exist. The project has faced controversy and delays over five years – delays Donnini expressed regret over when he presented an updated milestone development timeline to council in February. The north building is set for completion by February 2, 2026 and the south building by May 18, 2026; Town Council extended final completion deadline by ten months to September 14, 2026. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. </h3 ***
Continuing with matters regarding Port Elgin’s waterfront…
After Town Council rejected Splash City Fun Park’s proposal for an inflatable water park in Lake Huron off Port Elgin Main Beach, Deputy Mayor Diane Huber indicated that moving forward requires “a little different kind of approach”, such as implementing a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for any future developments. Splash City had originally reached out with their proposal last December without solicitation from the Town. Concerns regarding safety issues, reduced towel space availability, sufficient insurance coverage needs as well as potential changes to beach atmosphere played roles leading a slim majority of Council – resulting in a vote of 4-3 with two members absent – against staff’s recommendation to pursue talks with Splash City about opening their waterpark this summer. Huber pointed out that minutes from that April 14 meeting suggest if concerns could be resolved then Splash City might return next year with another proposal worth considering.
She also suggested including in those minutes remarks from several councillors who felt utilizing an RFP process-which was employed successfully at other locations considered-was overlooked here. “(I) hope that when we get around to this it happens at just right time and allows perhaps some other companies interested in activities at Port Elgin Main Beach.. they might also get considered,” Huber stated.
After Saugeen Shores Council turned down plans for a pay-to-use aquatic water park off Port Elgin Main Beach; Deputy Mayor Huber emphasized any upcoming proposals should undergo formal Request for Proposal procedures. Photo by SUPPLIED PHOTO
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She provided this clarification during the April 28 council meeting when Deputy Mayor Diane Huber asked what would happen if a significant milestone were to be missed.
Huber noted that while some progress had been made recently at the site, certain tasks related to electrical work, civil connections, concrete work, heating and cooling, and plumbing were scheduled to have been completed by now.
“When do we get to a point where we will hear about a milestone being missed – what is that target?” Huber asked. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Van Myall explained her interpretation of the milestone schedule shared by the developer in February indicates these dates mark when work is supposed to start.
“It wasn’t a milestone to be missed. It was the start of that work,” she said, referencing the April 21 date for electrical work which can only begin once there’s an actual building in place, adding “no milestone has been missed at this point.” The CCV project is a partnership between the Town and an Ontario numbered company led by local businessman Pier Donnini, who signed a lease lasting 50 years in 2019.
This development plays a key role in revitalizing waterfront areas where amenities like a tourist train station, mini-golf course and summer market used to exist. The project has faced controversy and delays over five years – delays Donnini expressed regret over when he presented an updated milestone development timeline to council in February. The north building is set for completion by February 2, 2026 and the south building by May 18, 2026; Town Council extended final completion deadline by ten months to September 14, 2026. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. </h3 ***
Continuing with matters regarding Port Elgin’s waterfront…
After Town Council rejected Splash City Fun Park’s proposal for an inflatable water park in Lake Huron off Port Elgin Main Beach, Deputy Mayor Diane Huber indicated that moving forward requires “a little different kind of approach”, such as implementing a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for any future developments. Splash City had originally reached out with their proposal last December without solicitation from the Town. Concerns regarding safety issues, reduced towel space availability, sufficient insurance coverage needs as well as potential changes to beach atmosphere played roles leading a slim majority of Council – resulting in a vote of 4-3 with two members absent – against staff’s recommendation to pursue talks with Splash City about opening their waterpark this summer. Huber pointed out that minutes from that April 14 meeting suggest if concerns could be resolved then Splash City might return next year with another proposal worth considering.
She also suggested including in those minutes remarks from several councillors who felt utilizing an RFP process-which was employed successfully at other locations considered-was overlooked here. “(I) hope that when we get around to this it happens at just right time and allows perhaps some other companies interested in activities at Port Elgin Main Beach.. they might also get considered,” Huber stated.
After Saugeen Shores Council turned down plans for a pay-to-use aquatic water park off Port Elgin Main Beach; Deputy Mayor Huber emphasized any upcoming proposals should undergo formal Request for Proposal procedures. Photo by SUPPLIED PHOTO
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