After nearly three years, repairs are moving ahead on the Highland Glen boat launch. But boaters, don’t start your engines just yet.

Plympton-Wyoming council approved about $105,000 in repairs to the launch at a meeting April 14. But it may be August before the ramp will be ready for use.

The boat launch was closed in 2019 after high water and winds damaged the steel groins around the ramp. The conservation authority hired an engineer to look at the damage to the ramp and also the banks of the park which were collapsing. At the time, Aecom Engineering said it would take about $3 million over a number of years to fix the damage.

The authority board continued studying the problem and then began negotiations with the town to take over the park. Plympton-Wyoming had been vocal in its desire for the boat ramp to be reopened. Council decided earlier this year it should try to reclaim the regional park – as it had with McEwen Conservation Area – to move the repairs forward. But, negotiations for Highland Glen are still ongoing.

Recently, residents came to Plympton-Wyoming asking town council to begin work on the project immediately in the hope of having the boat ramp opened by the end of April for the annual salmon derby. They also voiced concern that the launch is the only one for 41 kilometres, and in an emergency it was a welcome safe haven.

Council agreed to do what they could to get the repairs moving now, even though the conservation authority is still the owner of the park.

In a report to council, Chief Administrative Officer Carolyn Tripp says the conservation authority “was very receptive to the suggestion and offered the assistance of the SCRCA with their permitting process time frames,” Tripp writes.

“However, he advised that the approval of additional permits would likely be required from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The time frames associated with these permits is unknown at this time.”

Tripp says the authority believes the federal and provincial authorities would need design and detailed drawings of any proposed repairs. Phillips added the authority has set aside $32,000 for repairs this year that might be used.
Town staff called three marine repair companies for quotes on the project, including some longer term items like dredging the boat ramp area and are recommending Gordon Marine be hired to fix the damage at the site at a cost of $105,000.

Council approved the immediate repairs last week, however it will take some time for repairs.

“The final completion date cannot be determined until the required permits are obtained,” writes Tripp.

“In addition, due to the fish spawning season, no works can be conducted in the water until after July 15.”

Councillor Mike Vasey if work begins at that time it is possible for the work to be complete by August. He’s worried there may be “a lot of hoops to jump through” to finish the project by then.