HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-07-93Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report CS -07 -93 be received;
2. THAT Council take no further action on the request received
from the Durham Rowing Club; and
3. THAT Mr. Withers of the Durham Rowing Club be advised of
Council's decision.
1.0 BACKGROUND:
1.1 Correspondence (Attachment No.1) was received by Council at
its January 25, 1993 meeting from Mr. Scott Withers on behalf
of the Durham Rowing Club, requesting" the Town of Newcastle
join forces with the D.R.C. and the City of Oshawa in the
process of making the idea of a boat house in Darlington
Provincial Park a reality ". The matter was referred to the
Director of Community Services to review and report back.
2.0 DURHAM ROWING CLUB:
2.1 Staff met with Mr. Scott Withers and Mr. Michael Maher both
executives of the Club to discuss their request of Council and
to learn about their activities. The Club has approximately
45 members composed of high school and college students who
are interested in rowing racing shells. We are advised,
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REPORT NO. CS -07 -93
2 _ MAY 17, 1993
traditionally, 5 to 7 members are from Town of Newcastle. The
club has one - 8 man and five - 4 man rowing shells and train
both in McLaughlin Bay in Darlington Provincial Park and on
Perry. Lake Scugog
near Port The Club is financed by its
annual membership fee of $85.00 and a Club operated Bingo run
once a year under a City of Oshawa license. Their activities
with the students start in April and are completed in early
June with a "trip to the Canadian Secondary School
Championship Regatta in St. Catherines ".
2.2 Lake Scugog is the preferred training facility as the waters
are usually calm and long distance rowing can be practised in
preparation for competition, however, most members have
trouble obtaining transportation to Lake Scugog and
subsequently McLaughlin Bay is used as an alternative training
site. The Bay is close to Oshawa where the majority Of
members find it easier to reach, even though the water area is
too small for adequate training.
3.0 DURHAM ROWING CLUB ISSUE:
3.1 The Club in its communication and request to Council was vague
as to the nature of assistance being sought. At the meeting
with staff the issue was clarified. Currently, the Club must
transport their .40 ft. long rowing shells to the Bay each day.
Upon arrival the shells must be rigged with oar locks and
seats prior to use. The procedure of transporting and
rigging/ gg g
unri in takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours away from each
practise subsequently the Club is seeking approval to
construct a boat house facility on Mclaughlin Bay. The Club
has previously approached Darlington Provincial Park staff who
have advised them of Ministry Policy. It was the Club's
intention to solicit Council support in hope that Council
might have some influence with the Province.
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REPORT NO. CS -07 -93
_ 3 MAY 17, 1993
4.0 MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY:
4.1 Staff have spoken with Mr. Dave Dunnigan, Park Supervisor to
determine constraints affecting the Club's request. We are
advised by Mr. Dunnigan that policy has been established to
ensure the Park is available to meet the needs and best
interests of the majority of the public. He stated that to
allow permanent or private facilities in the Park will to some
degree limit access or reduce the quality of the experience to
other Park users. He advised further, that a concession if
granted to one user, must be granted to all which eventually
could curtail everyones enjoyment and experience.
5.0 OSHAWA'S POSITION:
5.1 The City of Oshawa has communicated with the Club for several
years regarding a boat house facility on McLaughlin Bay. They
have investigated the possibility of locating a boat house on
lands belonging to the Park, City of Oshawa and General Motors
who all own frontage on the Bay. While the city fully
supports the goals and activities of the Club, their staff do
not support or recommend a boat house as requested.
6.0 ALTERNATIVESL
6.1 The Club is aware of the Ministry's position and further they
have been advised the Town has no authority in any Provincial
matter. In light of this, during our discussions it was
suggested that the existing trailer might be converted to
allow the shell rigging to remain in place while in storage or
transport. The trailer might be designed by covering the
outside frame to provide needed security. The Rowing Club
Executive indicated that these were viable alternatives worthy
of further study in the likelihood their request for storage
is denied.
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REPORT 1993
7.0 SUMMARY:
7.1 Staff concur with the position of the Ministry of Natural
Resource. Mr. Dunnigan's position was explicit in the that
the Park be reserved for the exclusive use of the day and
overnight visitors and not be allowed to become a storage area
for periodic and occasional users. While the Community
Services staff supports the Clubs goals, activities and use of
McLaughlin Bay we are unable to recommend Council's
endorsement of the Clubs' request to construct a boat house on
the Bay.
Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation
to the Committee,
jose P. Caruana, Director Lawrence E. K seff,
Dep�a�rtment of Community Services Chief Admini t tive Officer
JPC:JDC:sa
COUNCIL DIRECTION
! •
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
December 3,1992 DURHAM Jai; 13 11 45 Ah 93
DEC 15 1992
Diane Hamr e TpIpN Or fdEWCASTLE
Mayor, Town of Newcastle
40 Temperance St . P:IIi 'l 0rt S 0. FILE
Bowmanville,Ont.
Dear Mayor Hamre
I am writing to you on behalf of the Durham Rowing Club. We are a
community based amateur sports club based in Durham Region. The
purpose of the D.R.C. 'is to foster the sport of rowing both
competitive and recreational throughout the region.
For the last two years D.R.C. has operated a Highschool rowing
program with four Oshawa schools participating. The schools
perform their "on the water" training at Darlington Provincial
Park. Training for highschools begins in April and ends in early
June. Traditionally most schools end their competitive season
with a trip to the Canadian Secondary School Championship Regatta
in St. Catharines Ont. which is held during the first weekend of
June every year.
It is our hope that a permanent facility could be constructed
within Darlington Park for the purpose of storing rowing
equipment in close proximity to the water. This "boathouse" would
dramatically increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of the
rowing programs as well as allow for it's expansion to include
schools in the Town of Newcastle.
At present D.R.C. is forced to transport all rowing equipment to
and from the training site every time a crew gets on the water.
This is a very involved process which wastes time and energy as
well as creates an increased level of wear and tear on very
sophisticated and expensive equipment.
As president of the Durham Rowing Club and a resident of
Newcastle Village, I formally ask the Town of Newcastle to join
forces with the D.R.C. and the City of Oshawa in the process of
making the idea of a boathouse in Darlington Provincial Park a
reality.
We at the D.R.0 look forward to an opportunity to meet with you
or your staff to discuss this proposed venture i rt_herdLL- eta_i.I- . -,i..=
in the near ,future. V i
Scott Withers
Pres - ent
Durham w ng C 1
Durham Rowing Club, P.O. Box 743, Oshawa, Ontario C1 H 7M9