Overhaul of Confederation property would drop campsites

Confederation Park’s campground would go, but go-karts would stay if a proposed master plan update meets with public approval.

There is also a proposal for a commercial hub featuring a hotel, retail space, skating track and other attractions, but no thought of a football field to replace Ivor Wynne Stadium, an idea city council has ruled out.

Sandy Bell, manager of design and development for the Hamilton Conservation Authority, said the existing 1997-98 master plan needs refreshing.

“We’re recognizing this is an important piece of the waterfront of Hamilton, so both the conservation authority and city are jointly part of this master planning for the next 10 to 20 years of how this property will be managed.”

Bell said business has been dropping at the 50-site campground, built in the 1960s and in need of upgrades. The authority believes it makes more sense to expand camping at Fifty Point Conservation Area, less than 10 kilometres to the east.

The last master plan called for redevelopment of the land, but nothing has been done.

Ideas being unveiled at an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Lakeland Centre, 180 Van Wagner’s Beach Rd., include moving the main entrance to Centennial Parkway, doing away with the gatehouse and eventually replacing the campground with sports fields and a recreation building. The drop-in event will include a presentation at 7 p.m. Those attending will hear suggestions to move go-karting to an expanded Adventure Village and to naturalize the west end of the long, narrow park occupying 83 hectares between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario.

Owned by the city and operated by the authority, the property includes Wild Waterworks with its wave pool and water slides, Lakeland Centre with a viewing tower, restaurant and pool, restaurants Hutch’s and Baranga’s on the Beach, Lakeland Go-Karts and Adventure Village with miniature golf and batting cages.

Officials estimate 2,000 people a day use the Hamilton Beach Recreational Trail running through the park. Use is expected to increase when a bridge over the QEW extends the Red Hill Trail to the waterfront later this year.

Bell said many of the proposals depend on private investment. Costs have not been estimated.

“We don’t have money to develop most of these things. We would need partners interested in running them. It would take a sizeable investment, but we’re only at the concept stage. We’re going to be a year or two getting it sorted out and looking at sources we can draw from.”