WORKING TOGETHER On June 17, Mayor Nina Bifolchi had a telephone discussion with the OPP’s Dwight Peer, chief superintendent and regional commander, as well as the OPP’s Jim Smyth, superintendent and director of operations for Central Region. Later in the day (above), Mayor Bifolchi and chief administrative officer George Vadeboncoeur met with the OPP’s Andy Tait, detachment commander for Huronia West, and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Superintendent John Fisher. Discussions focused on beachfront safety strategies. Both provincial agencies confirmed that additional resources will be deployed at main beach areas on weekends for the remainder of the season to deter and address various forms of bad behavior. These meetings were in response to recent communications between the town and the province regarding behaviour at the beachfront. On behalf of the community, Mayor Bifolchi expressed appreciation to the OPP and Ontario Parks for the quick response to the concerns expressed.

ROLLING OUT THE MAT On June 17, the Town of Wasaga Beach and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park rolled out Mobi-Mats at various beachfront locations. These mats are at Beach Areas 1-5. The mats are owned by the town and managed by the provincial park with help from the town's Public Works Department. The mats ensure accessibility for all to the beachfront. The mats have been used by the town and the park for a number of years and were originally an initiative of the Accessibility Advisory Committee.

HELPING WASAGA BEACH YOUTH On June 21, Mayor Nina Bifolchi, Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray, Councillor Joe Belanger, Councillor George Watson, and Councillor Stan Wells, as well as recreation and youth coordinator Josh Pallas, joined Wasaga Beach Lions Club members for the unveiling of the sign recognizing the club’s contributions to the Skate Park at Oakview Woods. The club has pledged $30,000 towards equipment at the park. Thanks to the Lions for their significant generosity.

STANDING TOGETHER Flags at town facilities are flying at half-mast in memory of Indigenous children whose remains have been found at former residential schools in B.C. and Saskatchewan. The town has also issued a related statement condemning hatred, intolerance, and racism. The statement can be reviewed on our website.

In June, on behalf of council, Mayor Nina Bifolchi extended best wishes to students graduating elementary school and high school.

The town is proud of all its graduates and wishes them a great summer break and the best of luck in the next phase of life.

WATCH the message to graduating elementary school students.

WATCH the message to graduating secondary school students.

The town is installing a rainbow crosswalk at Mosley and 39^th streets, in front of the Wasaga Beach Youth Centre, the week of July 5.

The rainbow crosswalk represents the town’s commitment to LGBTQ+ programing at the youth centre and identifies the centre as a safe and accepting space in our community.

“The LGBTQ+ community is an important part of Wasaga Beach and this installation helps convey that message,” Mayor Nina Bifolchi said.

Josh Pallas, recreation and youth coordinator for the Town of Wasaga Beach, echoed the mayor’s comments and spoke about the centre’s operations.

“Our youth centre offers a variety of programing for young people, including programs geared towards LGBTQ+ youth. We are proud of the work we have done and we look forward to expanding on it. A highlight for us was being nominated for a 2019 Simcoe Pride Organization of the Year award, recognizing the centre and its role in town,” Pallas said.

Cortney Dreifelds is a local resident with her wife and son, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and works in athlete rehabilitation.

“Moving to Wasaga Beach a couple of years ago had been a dream come true for our family, so when we heard about Wasaga Beach celebrating Pride, we truly felt like we belonged more than ever. The installation of the pride crosswalk shows Wasaga Beach youth that they are accepted and embraced in their own community,” she said. “Regardless of your religion or sexual orientation, pride is simply about love. Now more than ever we need to come together as a community to foster our economy, and re-connect after such a challenging year. Wasaga Beach’s Pride initiatives will help our community re-connect at a safe distance, and create a new normal for a better future.”

The town plans to have a formal unveiling of the crosswalk during Simcoe Pride, which runs July 26 to Aug. 8. A Simcoe Pride flag raising at the RecPlex will take place at 11 a.m. on July 26 and immediately after there will be an unveiling of the crosswalk and an open house at the youth centre, subject to COVID-19 public health regulations.

Read the staff report to learn more about the crosswalk.

Learn more about the Wasaga Beach Youth Centre.

Town finances are in great shape, members of council heard on June 29 during a presentation of the 2020 audited financial statements.

Jay Anstey, a partner at Baker Tilly, the firm the town uses for independent auditing services, provided an informative overview of the statements.

Watch the presentation.

Review the Audit of 2020 Consolidated Financial Report.

Anstey noted the municipality has healthy reserves and is overall in a good financial position to meet the needs of the town today and in the years ahead.

Jocelyn Lee, director of finance for the Town of Wasaga Beach, also addressed the town’s good financial standing in a staff report that council received for information.

She highlighted the net surplus for the 2020 fiscal year is $1.8-million.

“The town continues to be in a healthy financial position with the ability to maintain service levels and take-on growth-related capital works and operating costs,” Lee said.

Review the staff report.

Council approved the statements as prepared by the auditing firm.

The twin-pad arena and library project has cleared another important milestone.

Council has approved the updated size for the facility at 117,669 square feet and identified a project completion date of April 2023.

In addition, council approved issuing tender documents to the five pre-qualified general contractors with a closing date to bid of August 11, 2021.

The estimated construction cost is $44-million, within an overall project cost of $59-million. Construction costs have increased somewhat, but the overall budget remains the same.

Read the related staff report.

Learn more on our project page.

The town has established a team to negotiate with Slate Asset Management the purchase, sale, and development agreements for town-owned land at the beachfront.

Council received a report on the team from CAO George Vadeboncoeur.

He noted that on May 25, 2021, council approved the selection of Slate Assessment Management as the preferred developer for town-owned land at the beachfront and authorized the creation of a team to negotiate with the company.

The team is comprised of the following people:

Read the related staff report.

Visit our project page to learn more.

Council awarded in principle the architectural services contract for the renovation of Fire Station 2 to Lloyd Hunt, architect, at a cost of $56,000, plus HST.

The arrangement is subject to contract approval.

The town identified Mr. Hunt through an RFP process, as per the town’s purchasing policy.

The town built the west end fire station in 1977-1978 and the building is due for renovations.

Read the related staff report.

Capital works projects continue to unfold as planned this year.

At the June 10 Coordinated Committee meeting, the Capital Works Project Status Report was received for information.

The report highlights a number of projects happening in the community, including the following:

The Main Street Bridge Reconstruction Project is winding down and the bridge has opened to two-way traffic.

Read the related staff report.

Learn more about the various infrastructure projects we have taking place.

Council, at its June 29 meeting, approved an application for Draft Plan of Subdivision and an application for a Zoning Bylaw amendment for a property in the east end.

The property is at 81 Berkely Street, just west of Ansley Road.

The developer plans to build 12 new single-detached homes on the site.

A public meeting regarding the property took place in September 2020.

Read the related staff report.

Coordinated Committee at its June 10 meeting received the Building Department Summary Report for May.

The department issued 51 building permits with a total estimated construction value of $6.5-million.

In cue for building permits are applications for approximately 156 townhomes and 37 single-detached homes.

At the June 10 Coordinated Committee meeting, committee received the Municipal Law Enforcement and Property Standards Report for May.

Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray, chair of the General Government Section of committee, advised council the municipal law enforcement department received 381 calls for service for the month.

During the month, the department issued 430 parking infraction tickets.

Get regular updates on the department’s activity by visiting our social media pages on Monday morning.

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION Congratulations to Marjorie Philip on her 100th birthday. Mayor Nina Bifolchi visited the local resident on June 7 at Waterside Retirement Lodge and on behalf of council presented flowers, a certificate, and best wishes. Happy Birthday, Marjorie!

BIRTHDAY BOY Councillor Stan Wells, on behalf of town council, brought greetings and best wishes to Keith Brett on his 100th birthday on June 8. Congratulations on reaching this special occasion, Keith!

VALUED PART OF OUR COMMUNITY Mayor Nina Bifolchi, Councillor Stan Wells, Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray, and Councillor George Watson recognized Wasaga Family Foot Clinic for 25 years in business on June 21. Congratulations Dr. Kew and team. Thank you for your service in our community.

HAPPY RETIREMENT! Arlene March has retired from TD in Wasaga Beach after 45 years of dedicated service. March is renowned for her knowledge and professionalism. On June 3, on behalf of council, Mayor Nina Bifolchi presented March with a certificate in recognition of her years of service.

WELCOME! On behalf of Mayor Nina Bifolchi, representing town council was Councillor George Watson who attended the opening of Sessions at Stonebridge Town Centre on June 11. Also on hand was Councillor Joe Belanger. The new store features a variety of cannabis products and related supplies. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/359MstE

ON THE JOB On June 4, Mayor Nina Bifolchi and CAO George Vadeboncoeur welcomed the town's summer municipal law enforcement staff. Please say hello if you see the officers around town. More on municipal law enforcement here: http://ow.ly/3Gen50F3pz0

WELCOME ABOARD Mayor Nina Bifolchi welcomed new staff member Samantha Hannah on June 17. Samantha is working as a planner in our Planning and Economic Initiatives Department. Welcome, Samantha!

TEAM PLAYERS On June 30, Mayor Bifolchi, municipal law enforcement coordinator Rachael Ivak, and director of building and development services Danny Rodgers welcomed Igor Piatetskii and Natasha Stefanovska to the town. Piatetskii is a bylaw officer and Stefanovska a building inspector.

BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT Mayor Nina Bifolchi and Danny Rodgers, director of building and development services, welcomed building inspector Adam Horton to the Town of Wasaga Beach on June 1. We wish him great success in his new role.

Calling all restaurants! The Open Patios 2021 Program has launched and is now accepting applications for temporary patios.

The Open Parks Program provides new opportunities for businesses to maximize their capacity and introduce new avenues for revenue generation.

In an effort to help mitigate the economic impact the pandemic has caused local businesses and artists, the Town of Wasaga Beach has launched the Open Patios Music Program. This program aims to help businesses that may not have the extra financial means to hire patio entertainment.

June was Seniors' Month in the Town of Wasaga Beach. Mayor Nina Bifolchi and Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray joined Age-Friendly Community Advisory Committee chair Fiona Ryner for a flag-raising and proclamation reading at town hall on June 4. Read the proclamation here: https://bit.ly/3fMK02t and learn more about our supports for seniors here: https://bit.ly/3g3KxMs.