PORT HOPE: Pier has ‘significant effect on water flow’

The fate of the Centre Pier buildings is still up in the air, but the pier itself will likely remain.

“The Centre Pier buildings have a significant effect on water flow,” Mark Peacock, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority director of watershed services, said at a presentation to the Port Hope Harbour Commission’s first open meeting Wednesday evening. “The Centre Pier holds about 80% of the water and is a significant protection to what is on the other side.”

Asked what would happen if the Centre Pier did not exist, Peacock said it would create flooding on the Cameco property.

“The Cameco property is protected by the elevation of the Centre Pier and this should remain,” Peacock said. “A berm is also recommended to be placed on the Cameco side of the turning basin.”

There were several scenarios developed back in 2005/2006 when the municipality was going through their Official Plan process, one of them being the complete destruction of the Centre Pier in the effort to remove all contaminated soil Port Hope Mayor Linda Thompson said

Some members of the Pier Group, including Chris Wallace, were at the meeting and were pleased to hear the Centre Pier would remain, but the group is still fighting to keep the buildings for recreational or commercial uses.

Peacock told the commissioners residential develop- ment on the pier is not recommended, nor likely to happen considering the proximity of the Cameco facility, nor should high-risk uses such as emergency services, nursing homes, schools or hospitals be allowed.

“The restrictions for the use of the land is for people with limited ability to get out during a flood situation,” Wallace said.

“Commercial use is still viable.”

Wallace says he doesn’t believe the restrictions placed on the land use of the Centre Pier are problematic as his group is hoping to see development within the existing buildings of retail, studios or recreation.

He says his group wishes to assist in any way they can with the environmental assessment process.

Meanwhile, the municipality’s plans for waterfront development are still in the concept stage. They plan to create a new full service east marina with parking, and an expanded east beach. Also included is the demolition of the Centre Pier buildings to create an open space for markets, special events and relaxation.

There’s an interpretive facility, a restaurant, docking, an improved harbour marina, walkways, trails and more included

“As a concept, it’s fine,” the GRCA’s Peacock said. “But, there’s a lot of engineering to be done because you can’t create problems for people or businesses located there. The final design will look at all these issues.”