Saugeen Shores Regular Council — Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Gymnastics Club seeks temporary town space: A newly formed not-for-profit Saugeen Shores Gymnastics Club asked council for use of upstairs space at Rotary Hall — roughly 12–15 sessions this fall and winter — to restore recreational gymnastics programming for children after the former Swing, Spring and Flip Club facility was sold to Bruce County in June, closing the club and leaving approximately 300 members without a program. Negotiations with the County over the purpose-built Mackenzie Drive facility collapsed in September. Council referred the request to staff; the Director of Recreation confirmed “nothing is off the table” on facility options, including the Pride Centre.
Perkins Street drainage petition: Resident Bruce Mazer, accompanied by neighbours, presented a six-point petition seeking a coordinated stormwater review for the two-block section of Perkins Street between McNabb and Huron Street South — an area with no storm sewer infrastructure. Mazer measured roughly 20 gallons per minute of groundwater entering his sump pump after rain. The Director of Public Works confirmed staff are already partway through a multi-step review and plan topographic surveys this fall for interim solutions. The petition was referred to staff for a report.
Recreation funding application: Staff submitted a request to the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund for $500,000 toward a cricket pitch and $1,000,000 for phase-three construction at Lamont Sports Park. Vice Deputy Mayor flagged concern the application prioritized cricket over additional ball diamonds originally planned for the site; staff will include a full Lamont fit-exercise and cricket pitch business case in the 2027 business plan.
Cold Creek Bridge deferred: All bids for life-extending maintenance on the Cold Creek Bridge substantially exceeded the 2026 budget. Because the work is non-emergency, the project was deferred to a future year with a revised budget and updated funding model.
Q3 business plan on track: The CAO reported the town’s 41 major initiatives, 93 division highlights, and 27 capital highlights are running at 73%, 69%, and 75% completion respectively. A fire station design-and-build RFP has been issued, with contract award expected in Q4 and construction in 2027. Twelve road projects are substantially complete, including the Turner Street roundabout and Ridge Street construction.
Bylaws: By-law 96-2026 (heritage designation) passed as amended after council struck a clause protecting concealed wood clapboard siding, citing potential hardship for property owners. By-law 97-2026 authorized an encroachment agreement for a projecting sign at 13 Grosvenor Street North, Southampton.
Farewells and disclosure: Two outgoing councillors gave final remarks ahead of the municipal election. The Vice Deputy Mayor, completing 12 years of service, cited the Westario Power sale as a “game changer” and called on incoming council to prioritize affordable housing. A second departing member publicly disclosed a prostate cancer diagnosis made two years ago — now in remission — and urged all men in the community to pursue PSA testing during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in November.