By Cecilia Nasmith
Cobourg council this week received an update on five key waterfront operations from Community Services Division Deputy Director Teresa Behan.
Division Director Dean Hustwick said the report was timely in light of changing provincial guidelines, such as the increase to 10 (from five) individuals allowed to gather in a socially-distant manner and loosening restrictions on certain recreational facilities.
“It was an extensive list – 10-plus pages,” Mayor John Henderson noted.
As for Behan's report, it listed directions that might be followed, depending on the town's ability to manage the openings with all due caution and within certain financial parameters.
Victoria Park
With the beach closed, as well as all summer events, the operation of the canteen this year is probably not financially viable, so the 2020 contract will not be awarded.
The province is allowing the opening of splash pads, and that may be done in Cobourg pending the hiring of summer students to clean and sanitize it regularly.
The town is working with YMCA Northumberland on having the Centennial Pool open. A modified program is envisioned (no Open Swim, for example) with a potential start date of July 6 with safe return-to-work procedures based on YMCA Canada and Lifesaving Society best practices such as hand-sanitizing stations, barriers between cashier and patrons, enhanced cleaning standards, one-way user flow, COVID-19 screening and limits on user numbers accommodated by longer hours. If it does not open, the pool's maintenance will cost about $7,000.
Cobourg Beach
This is now closed and fenced off as per council's decision last week, though a potential reopening will be debated at their June 22 meeting.
Victoria Park Campground
Currently in use as a respite area (and potential quarantine area) for front-line workers, the campground could potentially be reopened for campers with the help of summer students to prepare and operate the facility. If it does not open this year, it is recommended that fencing remain in place to prevent access to would-be campers and other users – though staff would alter the barrier to re-establish the pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfare that crosses the property.
Marina
A June 12 opening for seasonal boaters is contemplated, as well as a June 13 boat lift-in. The annual dredging has been completed to ensure safe passage for both boaters and the Coast Guard (adding 38,000 cubic meters of sand to the beach, Councillor Emily Chorley noted).
How many transient boaters might be allowed is yet to be determined.
“The Cobourg Harbour is an important safe harbour on the north shore of Lake Ontario and is exactly halfway (full day) between Toronto and Kingston and is frequently used as a rest stop,” the report said.
“The Town cannot refuse a boater anchorage or access to safety when in distress or during inclement weather. Transient boaters may also need fuel and/or repairs, which must also be accommodated.”
Social distancing will be observed with temporary gates limiting access to each dock ramp. As well, some changes can be expected at the marina building – no laundry facilities, for example, and washrooms open only to marina customers.
West Harbour-West Beach
The boat launch opened May 22 and is currently free of charge and unstaffed.
The Cobourg Yacht Club Sailing School will not operate this year, and the Survivor-Thriver dragon-boat team has said it will not have a 2020 season (though there is some discussion of switching to two-person canoes). Meanwhile the Cobourg Dragon Boat and Canoe Club – while not operating its camps this year – may operate a racing camp with limited participants.
Any organized recreational group that plans to use municipal property will be required to submit a back-to-play plan to the town that must be approved.
