Burlington council decisions — good or bad?

LaSalle Park Marina and Skyway Arena both pose challenges for council’s deliberation

Burlington council dealt with two controversies recently that have people talking — LaSalle Park Marina and Skyway Arena.

The marina had been an issue for decades. Established in 1981 by volunteer LaSalle Park Marina Association (LPMA), its 219 slips were originally protected by a floating tire wave break, replaced in 1998 by a floating steel tube one. Under joint venture agreements, groups borrow from the city for a project, repaying over 10 years. Title rests with the city. The marina was developed this way, and remains volunteer-dependent. The outstanding $225,000 will be repaid over seven years.

LPMA had wanted to expand to 340 slips, with an Armour Stone wave break (about $14 million) to protect boats from storm damage. Ineligible for grants from higher levels, and unable to fund it, they decided to replace the aging floating wave break for $4 million.

Controversy erupted when former city manager James Ridge recommended the city fund it. It will be installed by May. Ridge and the city parted ways the day after new Mayor Marianne Meed Ward was inaugurated.

Two weeks ago a committee wrestled with what to do, agreed that LPMA should continue running it, but discussion ranged widely. Coun. Rory Nisan repeatedly expressed concern about its “community” aspect. LPMA acknowledged it is basically a mooring facility for members’ boats, but it hosts Able Sail, a special needs program. Meed Ward proposed renaming the marina “LaSalle Park Community Marina.” That makes it a community facility? Coun. Kelvin Galbraith noted many people fish from the pier, use the public boat launch and many go to see the trumpeter swans in winter.

LPMA made a presentation, as did opponent engineer James Thomson. Thomson’s views were politely heard, but virtually discounted, although he noted that several pieces of information council had previously sought had not been provided, particularly on the environmental assessment related to trumpeter swans.

He pointed out, too, that the agreement with LaSalle is confidential. Why? Later asked what had fuelled his opposition, he replied that the fishy smell of the finger docks stored on the pier each winter had been the impetus. (It is hoped the new wave break may enable some, if not all, finger docks to stay in the water over winter.)

Monday council unanimously approved a 25-year licence for LPMA, presumably (as formerly agreed) paying $75,000 a year, increasing to $100,000 by 2030, running it for the city. The total $2.7 million will come close to paying for the $4 million wave break.

Still unresolved is the city’s lease for LaSalle Park itself, owned by Hamilton, which expires in 2022. (Not a strong position from which to negotiate an extension.) Read the complex detailed report online.

Climate change is a big issue. Further, the marina only offers basic service — no fuel. And membership has waned because some owners can no longer get insurance against increasingly severe storms. Will the numbers recover?

Another facility under discussion was the 22,000-square-foot Skyway Arena, planned to be expanded by adding two community rooms and a 140-metre three-lane walking track. In 2016 the cost, with no track, was estimated at $13.9 million. This year council declared a climate emergency. It wants Burlington carbon neutral by 2040.

That necessitates design changes which, including updated construction costs, will increase the bill to about $21 million in 2020. Council will be updated before deciding. Freon is the system refrigerant, but it is at the end of its life and no longer environmentally acceptable.

A geothermal mechanical system will avoid using natural gas and recover heat from the refrigerant plant, and an electric Zamboni will be used.

The roof structure will be designed to support solar panels, but there’s an interesting twist.

Redevelopment plans for Skyway Plaza (which council has warned the applicant are excessive) may affect their operation. Final design and positioning must allow enough sunlight to make them viable.

Burlington is on the leading edge, but I hope council doesn’t raid city reserves again this year to accomplish these things.