Mar 05, 2026 • Last updated Mar 05, 2026 •
Construction at the site of the proposed Cedar Crescent Village project at Port Elgin’s main beach barely got started six years after it was first introduced to residents. Now, the Town of Saugeen Shores has indicated a wish to end the lease with developers. Photo supplied
The Port Elgin Beach Preservers are asking to reclaim their little piece of paradise.
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Saugeen Shores announced on Monday that it was taking measures against the supporters of the Cedar Crescent Village project at Port Elgin’s main beach after developers missed previously extended construction deadlines.
The town and Ontario numbered company 2706913 Ontario Inc., which includes local bar owner Pier Donnini, signed a long-term lease for the waterfront land in 2019.
Before that, this spot was a cherished summer destination for many generations and housed the former Port Elgin and North Shore Railway station building along with a miniature train. The area also had mini-golf, a small beach shop, and an ice cream stand run by Andy and Debbie Hess for nearly thirty years.
When the Hess family couldn’t secure a new lease with the town in 2018, they shut down their business. Two years later, the town took down the mini train station to make way for the $10 million Cedar Crescent Village (CCV) project that promised to transform this location into a waterfront hub featuring a restaurant with a viewing deck, market hall, game space, and an ice cream shop.
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The only indication of what was supposed to be an exciting year-round waterfront development at Harbour Street is just a construction fence along with some backfill and several concrete pipes scattered about.
“It’s a mess. It’s just a mess,” said Patricia Corrigan-Frank.
Corrigan-Frank co-founded the Port Elgin Beach Preservers group on Facebook which has over 4,000 members voicing their concerns about CCV development since it was first presented in 2019.
The Port Elgin Beach Preservers argue that the town forced out previous leaseholders by offering unfavorable lease terms before entering into a long-term agreement with Donnini and other local investors.
“We were pretty stunned with what they were proposing at the time,” Corrigan-Frank said.
She emphasized that they’re not opposed to development on Port Elgin’s main beach; actually about 90 percent of their group wants nice restaurants, shops, and family-friendly entertainment options-if it’s done right and involves public input first.
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“We’re very much in support of moving forward with canceling this lease and starting fresh,” Corrigan-Frank stated. “We’re not out of danger yet. I’m unsure how long or complicated this legal process will be.” After granting a building permit to 2706913 Ontario Inc. in 2023 , Saugeen Shores extended crucial project deadlines by ten months in 2025. As per information from its CCV project website , completion for North Building-billed as “the premier year-round destination at Port Elgin Beach”-was slated for February second , twenty twenty-six , aiming for full completion by year-end. It’s evident that Cedar Crescent Village isn’t happening anytime soon , but Corrigan-Frank hopes beachgoers can still access parking there. “Nothing is going to get built or done this summer , but at least level off the land , take down fencing , remove piping , so people can enjoy it this summer,” she urged. Saugeen Shores mentioned in its statement on Monday that while they understand residents’ ongoing interest regarding both CCV project status as well as overall waterfront plans , “next steps involve court intervention; hence they are limited regarding comments or additional details currently available.” Attempts to contact Donnini for comments were unsuccessful. At council meeting held February twenty-fourth twenty twenty-five , Donnini attributed construction delays primarily due COVID -19 pandemic impacts plus directives from Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority mandating further distances from shoreline when developing structures. He claimed his company secured $4 million investment towards project alongside obtaining ten million dollar loan through Libro Credit Union.
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The only indication of what was supposed to be an exciting year-round waterfront development at Harbour Street is just a construction fence along with some backfill and several concrete pipes scattered about.
“It’s a mess. It’s just a mess,” said Patricia Corrigan-Frank.
Corrigan-Frank co-founded the Port Elgin Beach Preservers group on Facebook which has over 4,000 members voicing their concerns about CCV development since it was first presented in 2019.
The Port Elgin Beach Preservers argue that the town forced out previous leaseholders by offering unfavorable lease terms before entering into a long-term agreement with Donnini and other local investors.
“We were pretty stunned with what they were proposing at the time,” Corrigan-Frank said.
She emphasized that they’re not opposed to development on Port Elgin’s main beach; actually about 90 percent of their group wants nice restaurants, shops, and family-friendly entertainment options-if it’s done right and involves public input first.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“We’re very much in support of moving forward with canceling this lease and starting fresh,” Corrigan-Frank stated. “We’re not out of danger yet. I’m unsure how long or complicated this legal process will be.” After granting a building permit to 2706913 Ontario Inc. in 2023 , Saugeen Shores extended crucial project deadlines by ten months in 2025. As per information from its CCV project website , completion for North Building-billed as “the premier year-round destination at Port Elgin Beach”-was slated for February second , twenty twenty-six , aiming for full completion by year-end. It’s evident that Cedar Crescent Village isn’t happening anytime soon , but Corrigan-Frank hopes beachgoers can still access parking there. “Nothing is going to get built or done this summer , but at least level off the land , take down fencing , remove piping , so people can enjoy it this summer,” she urged. Saugeen Shores mentioned in its statement on Monday that while they understand residents’ ongoing interest regarding both CCV project status as well as overall waterfront plans , “next steps involve court intervention; hence they are limited regarding comments or additional details currently available.” Attempts to contact Donnini for comments were unsuccessful. At council meeting held February twenty-fourth twenty twenty-five , Donnini attributed construction delays primarily due COVID -19 pandemic impacts plus directives from Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority mandating further distances from shoreline when developing structures. He claimed his company secured $4 million investment towards project alongside obtaining ten million dollar loan through Libro Credit Union.
-with files from Frances Learment
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