Quinte West City Council approved receiving an update on the replacement of the Trent Port Marina breakwaters and directed city staff to work on amending the lease with landowner TCS Realty at its meeting on Wednesday.
In a report from Director of Community Services and Strategic Partnerships Jaclyn Grimmon, it states that city staff undertook a procurement process to secure a contractor to replace the current breakwaters with new floating structures.
Kropf Industrial Inc. ended up securing the bid with the project starting in November 2024, with an estimated completion date of April 24, 2025.
In anticipation of the costs, $7 million was approved for the breakwater replacement project, to be debt financed. The money was part of the 2024 capital projects budget.
The total awarded project cost is over $5.8 million.
As part of the total award price, staff were able to secure a 20-year warranty and maintenance program for the breakwaters that would be carried out by Kropf Industrial.
Staff submitted an application to Ontario’s Ministry of Sport, Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, under the Repair and Rehabilitation Stream to support the project where under the program, the city may be eligible for up to $1 million.
Funding received would reduce the total amount required by the city to be financed from debt.
The city currently has an agreement with TCS Realty Co. of $2/year for use of the lands where the marina is located. The current 25-year lease agreement, which expires in 2039, includes the option to renew for one additional 25-year term.
As part of the report, Director Grimmon asked council to amend the lease term with TCS Realty to align with the breakwaters warranty and maintenance program.
Councillor Egerton Boyce said the city shouldn’t be spending more money on a project that isn’t owned by the city.
“For all those people that think I hate marinas, I worked at a marina during college, I loved my job. I love boaters. My family members own boats, and I just won’t support the city taxpayers getting further into debt on this project that doesn’t benefit us,” Boyce told council.
Councillor Karen Sharpe said it was her understanding that the vote to fix the marina was already determined and that it was now time to move forward.
“We’ve moved forward. We have a proposal here with a very good warranty and staff report, and so that discussion is done. That was my understanding. We are moving forward and I look forward to the work being done in advance of the boating season,” Sharpe told council.
In a recorded vote, council voted 9-4 on receiving the update and working to amending the lease.
Those voting yes included councillors Jim Alyea, Duncan Armstrong, Sally Freeman, Michael Kotsovos, David McCue, David O’Neil, Lynda Reid, Karen Sharpe, and Mayor Jim Harrison.
No votes came from councillors Egerton Boyce, Zack Card, Don Kuntze, and Shelley Stedall.
Many Quinte West residents have been vocal about the project, with two residents seeking more accountability from council and staff on the financial costs of maintaining the marina.
A prudency assessment from Ed Santos and Dennis Flintoff was received by council during its meeting on Wednesday.
Staff will report back to council with an amended lease for approval at a future council meeting.
