Image

Plympton-Wyoming wants to run Highland Glen

November 26, 2021

Plympton-Wyoming wants to take over Highland Glen.

Council has directed its representative on the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority board, Councillor Tim Wilkins, to ask the authority to begin negotiations to turn over the park allowing the municipality to get the boat ramp open.

The ramp – the only one between Sarnia and Grand Bend for public use – has been closed for two years.

In late 2019, the original groyne wall on the west side of the boat launch ramp was damaged due to wave action and is now missing. Water levels on Lake Huron have been high, contributing to erosion on both the east and west sides of the ramp protection structure. The erosion has exposed the steel sheet pile wall of the boat ramp and has eroded the banks further along the beach.

The banks have continued to erode, putting the parking lot in jeopardy. The conservation authority closed the boat ramp in 2019, and received dozens of complaints.

Aecom, in a report to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority in the summer, says the boat ramp could be temporarily fixed for about $85,500.

But the report also lays out what will be needed in the long term with $709,000 in repairs needed in the next three years, another $710,000 in the next five years and the $550,000 replacement of the ramp.

The engineering firm also suggests replacing the erosion control at a cost of $1.29 million.

Recently, the board of directors decided not to put any money into a temporary fix and formed a committee to decide what to do next.

Councillor Netty McEwen, at a Plympton-Wyoming council meeting Nov. 17, wonders “how long it is going to take.

“I want to have Highland Glen open again next year,” says McEwen.

The councillor says if the town would take over the park it “would relieve them a lot of expenses and duties.

“It will cost $85,500 to get the boat ramp operational – yes, it is going to cost much more to do the erosion control but that doesn’t have to be done immediately.

“If we let this go,” added McEwen, “it is not going to happen at all.”

Council agreed to give Wilkins the backing to say the municipality is interested, but some were concerned about what the town is getting into.

“What cost is this?” asked Mayor Lonny Napper.

“Is it an open cheque book?”

Napper suggested the town should be looking closely at its park investments. It recently invested hundreds of thousands into Lamrecton Park and will now complete erosion control work worth nearly a half million dollars. “We have to look at where were going.”

Councillor Bob Woolvett also admitted to being “nervous” about the prospect of taking over the park.

“The economy is in trouble a bit,” he said noting inflation is rising and other municipalities are talking about tightening their belts.

“It is a beautiful piece of land, there is no doubt. I think any municipality would love to have it. But I can’t see them giving it to us… you’re looking at probably a million or two million dollars to deal with this erosion problem.

“We just don’t have an endless pot of money to deal with this.”

Deputy Mayor Muriel Wright was also concerned about the plan.
“This is too big of a dollar amount for me to say ‘yes’ to it… were going have to pay for it in the end,” says Wright.

But other councillors, like Mike Vasey, felt Wilkins needed the backing of council to at least put the idea of Plympton-Wyoming taking over the park on the table at the special committee formed to look its future.

Council agreed the talks would be preliminary and nothing would move ahead without council’s approval.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Consultant says AI can ‘transform’ education

February 6, 2025

Blake Ellis/The Independent Artificial intelligence can transform education, giving teachers another tool so they can better meet the needs of students. This was the message conveyed to trustees of the St. Clair Catholic School Board on Jan. 28, as Catholic Curriculum Consultant Courtney Mellow gave an update on the organization’s artificial intelligence in education implementation strategy. Mellow said in many

Read More

Image
News

Aamjiwnaang’s chief files complaint against Dennis’ “untrue, reckless, offensive, disparaging and abusive” remarks at Lambton County council

February 6, 2025

“I find the new Chief of the Amjiwnaang (sic)remarks to be a threat against me for doing my job,” says Dennis Heather Wright/The Independent Aamjiwnaang’s chief has filed complaints to both the Lambton County and Sarnia Integrity Commissioner over comments made by Bill Dennis. Nov. 27, Lambton County Council received a letter from Chief Janelle Nahmabin about fines paid by

Read More

Image
News

PW to honour $10K 2025 Petrolia arena grant

February 6, 2025

Plympton-Wyoming to set up donation fund for applications in 2026 Heather Wright/The Independent Plympton-Wyoming will honour its commitment to provide a $10,000 grant to both Petrolia and Forest.But the municipality plans to set up a grant program to decide what organizations and municipalities get Plympton-Wyoming’s cash. Councillors recently decided against entering an agreement with Petrolia to formalize a grant provided

Read More

Image
Front Page

Mooretown Flags double Wheatley

February 6, 2025

A five goal second period propelled the Mooretown Flags to an 8-4 win over the Sharks in PJHL action at Wheatley. Wes Brooks scored twice and added an assist for the winners Wednesday. Dylan Dupuis continued his torrid pace with a goal and three assists. Dupuis is now riding a 13-game point streak dating back to late December with 13

Read More