'Prohibitive' costs mean Penetang boaters won't get earlier season start

Penetanguishene boaters weren’t willing to fish through their wallets to get a jump on an earlier boating season, according to a recent report.

At this week's committee of the whole meeting, a boat-slip season extension report was presented which addressed requests that some residents had to get a jump start on the spring season for 2025.

“Each spring as soon as the ice is gone, our boaters are chomping at the bit to get to the wharf and get their boat in the water,” explained recreation and community services director Sherry Desjardins.

Typically, the rental agreement between the town and boat slip rentals notes that they can access their slip around the end of April each year. As milder winters have occurred recent years, some boaters asked to have their slips available before the end of April.

However, the town's harbourmaster requires weeks of advance preparation so that the seasonal start up can be completed, according to the report. Inspections, repairs and maintenance are some of the activities involved for the 100 slips available.

“We promised our customers we would take a look at this to see if we could make it available earlier in the season,” said Desjardins.

After calculating that a $75 increase to each slip renter would be required on top of regular seasonal increases, town staff issued a survey to explore feasibility and interest. More than 30 responses came back with 55 per cent stating they would not be in favour of the increase.

Several responses in the survey noted that June was when participants’ boats went in the water, while others said that an earlier April opening would be preferable. A few responses shared that keeping the slips open later into the season would be better than opening earlier, as renters are required annually to vacate their slips shortly after Thanksgiving.

Some noted that the cost was prohibitive as it was currently and an additional cost wouldn’t be feasible, but others countered that the costs were acceptable for the earlier season.

While 31 responses were received on the matter, 89 users were surveyed of which Penetanguishene residents comprised 70 per cent.

As a result of the survey, staff recommended that no changes be made to extending the boat slip season, and that the results of the survey be shared as information which the committee of the whole approved. The decision is expected to be ratified at an upcoming regular meeting of council.

Notably, some responses instead addressed the need for repairs and upgrades to the town dock; since 2019, Penetanguishene had been in the process of undertaking a town dock reimagining, master plan, and secondary plan study.

The boat slip season extension report, including rental survey responses, can be located on the agenda page of the Town of Penetanguishene website.