Boat Ramp at Confederation.

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
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The Beach Strip
#1
There is a boat launch ramp area at Confederation Park that was taken out of service back in the early 1980's, an area group is trying to bring it back, but the City isn't buying the proposal.


The rationale for this recommendation is based relevant consultation and the following supporting information:
(i) The estimated capital cost to make this a safe and accessible structure would be $1,350,000. The estimated capital cost for equipment required to regularly to clean the ramp and excavate cobble sediment would be $370,000. The equipment required would include a backhoe, 5-ton truck, 1-ton stake truck, hand tools, lawn mower and trimmers. The estimated annual cost to operate and maintain the facility would be $162,000.
(ii) The "dynamic beach hazard" under the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Technical Guidelines, based on the "Feasibility Assessment" verified that this is not a feasible location for a boat ramp, as per Appendix "D" - "Feasibility Assessment - Confederation Park Boat Ramp" by Shoreplan Engineering Limited.
(iii) Comments from the Hamilton Conservation Authority, identified that both the Provincial Natural Hazard Policy and HCA Development Policy discourage development within the flood and erosion hazards of the Great Lakes, with the exception of those works required to be located in these areas (i.e. shoreline erosion protection works).
(iv) The Confederation Park Master Plan Review and Update (Hamilton Conservation Authority - August 2010) identifies the adjacent area as the future Central Village development with direct access/egress off Centennial Parkway. This area will be built into an intensified commercial mixed use development. The master plan also identified the conversion of the existing parking lot into habitat restoration and green space. Roadway access to the beach area will be eliminated as part of the master plan redevelopment. Therefore, there will be no vehicle access to the area of the former ramp.
(v) In the Confederation Park Master Plan Economic Feasibility Study, Sierra Planning and Management also identified that the Waterfront Trail sees 350,000 visitors/trail users annually, with activities such as cycling, walking, roller blading, running, and dog walking. This trail presently bisects the route between the existing parking lot and former boat ramp, which would result in significant user conflict between boat launch and trail activities.
(vi) Wave action was noted to be un-predictable and intense at times. Based on the technical findings from the "Cherry Beach Shoreline Protection Class Environmental Assessment Report by Dillon Consulting (with Shoreplan Engineering), prepared on September 2014, this shoreline receives wave heights of 2.5 metres to 3.75 metres and sustain to a duration of ten seconds. These waves are generated by prevailing winds from the east and north-east directions, and extend from Cherry Beach to the Burlington Canal.
(vii) Risk Management recommends if this former boat ramp is re-instated, to address the request of the noted 232 signatories, that proper controls should be in place to limit potential injury for the approximately 350,000 users of the waterfront trail

http://hamilton.siretechnologies.co...ny532b4dxrdsk4vk4c/7275605132015120616578.PDF
http://hamilton.siretechnologies.co...ny532b4dxrdsk4vk4c/7275705132015121427891.PDF
http://hamilton.siretechnologies.co...0ny532b4dxrdsk4vk4c/727580513201512154497.PDF
http://hamilton.siretechnologies.co...ny532b4dxrdsk4vk4c/7275905132015121658927.PDF
http://hamilton.siretechnologies.co...ny532b4dxrdsk4vk4c/7276005132015121800304.PDF

RECOMMENDATION
(a) That the former Confederation Park Boat Ramp, as shown in Appendix "A" to Report PW15013, not be re-instated, and that public boat ramp access be directed to other available ramp locations offered within Hamilton and adjacent municipalities as identified in Appendices "B" and "C" to Report PW15013.
(b) That the Outstanding Business List item related to Confederation Park Boat Ramp be identified as complete and removed from the list.




 
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