Oakville – Improvements to Bronte Regional Waterfront Park will be completed faster than originally planned in order to be ready for the Canada Day 150 anniversary celebration in 2017.
On May 30, 2016, Town Council approved a new capital project, Bronte Harbour Regional Waterfront Park – Phase 4, that will accelerate project funding from 2017 to 2016. The total budget of $600,000 will be split with Halton Region with the town’s share of $300,000 coming from the Parkland Reserve Fund.
The funding will go toward the construction of a shade tensile structure and performance plaza near the water’s edge that will accommodate community events and performances. An irrigation system for the lawn and garden areas will be installed along with electrical upgrades to service the new park infrastructure.
“Every year the Canada Day celebration in Bronte draws an enormous crowd and we’re anticipating even more visitors for the 150th anniversary,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “With thousands of people expected to attend, it makes sense to fast-track the improvements so the park is in the best shape possible for all to enjoy.”
The town and the region have jointly funded many improvements to the Bronte Harbour Regional Waterfront Park over the past several years including grading, drainage, pathways, pathway lighting, donor gardens, a gazebo and benches and a year-round washroom building.
Visitors to Bronte Harbour will notice another change this summer when the National One Design Sailing Academy moves its keelboats from the Bronte outer harbour marina facility to the mooring slips within the inner harbour. Town Council approved a commercial licence agreement allowing the company to offer sailing instructional programs to the community from a more visible location with more opportunities to create business partnerships within the Bronte Business Improvement Area.
“The town is very much focused on making improvements to both Bronte and Oakville Harbours so that they continue to be beautiful destinations for years to come,” said Chris Mark, director of Parks and Open Space. “A key part of this work is the development of a Harbours Master Plan that is currently underway. We’re looking forward to sharing more information about it with the community later this year.”
For more information about Oakville’s harbours and the Harbours Master Plan, visit the harbours page.