​Kincardine okays $300,000 for Lions All-Wheel Park project

Kincardine council has agreed to put $300,000 toward the Kincardine Lions All-Wheel Park project, to be built west of the splash pad at Lions Park, beside the Davidson Centre in Kincardine.

At the budget meeting, Monday night (Jan. 27), councillor Beth Blackwell put forward a motion for council to show support for the project, in the amount of $100,000, taken from the Development Charges raised for parks and recreation.

She said the Lions Club still has to do some fund-raising so this project could be added to the capital budget for 2026.

“If we’re deferring the Broadway path project, would that allow for this project?” asked councillor Stellina Williams. “Or we could defer the Seashore playground since that subdivision is still under construction?”

Councillor Bill Stewart said the municipality giving the Lions $100,000 is a grand gesture, but they still have to raise $200,000 for the project and that could take two to three years.

“This is an important project for us,” he said. “I would defer the boardwalk project to get this going in 2025. It frees up the old skateboard park for Pickleball courts.”

He suggested an amendment to the motion, putting $300,000 toward the All-Wheel Park, with $200,000 as a grant, and $100,000 as a loan, repaid over a three-year period.

When asked if there had been any discussion with the Lions Club about this idea, Stewart said he had talked to the Lions and they were good with this proposal.

“The longer we wait, the more expensive it’s going to be,” he said. “It would be wonderful to get it done. Delay the boardwalk. The Lions are ready to go with this; start it in the spring and have it finished by the fall.”

Chief administrative officer Jillene Bellchamber-Glazier said the boardwalk is the right project to defer. However, there is concern about the state of this asset. “It’s in poor shape. If it’s deferred again, it could end up closed this year, and the community would not find that to be a favourable decision.”

Community services director Jayne Jagelewski said there are constraints to the All-Wheel Park project.

“Getting the RFPs (Requests For Proposals) would have to be done in a timely fashion and that would impact other projects,” she said. “We could pause the boardwalk but a portion would have to be closed based on its condition.”

Council approved Stewart’s amendment, providing $300,000 for the project, with $200,000 as a grant, and $100,000 as a loan to be repaid over three years.

Bellchamber-Glazier reminded council that it had to vote on the original motion in favour of the project, and to consider what capital projects would be deferred.

Jagelewski said there are a number of other items to consider, such as the repainting of the Kincardine Lighthouse, the Red-Green Trail, and various playgrounds. She noted the playgrounds could be closed if the equipment is not replaced.

It was agreed to have Jagelewski bring a report to council at the next budget meeting, Feb. 12, with recommendations for projects to be deferred.

Treasurer Roxana Baumann suggested council fund the All-Wheel Park project, with $200,000 from the Development Charges account, and $100,000 from the contingency reserve.

Council agreed.

A motion was then put forward that the funding be provided this year, but the project be included in the 2026 capital budget.

In a recorded vote, that was approved, 6-1, with mayor Kenneth Craig, deputy mayor Andrea Clark, Blackwell, Williams and councillors Rory Cavanagh and Mike Hinchberger in favour, while Stewart voted against.

George Ling of the Kincardine Lions Club told the Kincardine Record, Wednesday, that the club understands the money is in place for this project. The club has a meeting coming up in February with Jagelewski to get the RFP process under way, and hopes to have shovels in the ground this year.

The Lions have raised $320,000 toward the $600,000 project. For more details about the All-Wheel Park, click here: www.kincardinerecord.com/story.php?id=14269.