'Band-aid' for King's Landing damage; redevelopment of wharf remains on back burner

North Bay's municipal wharf will receive the repairs necessary to return it only to its precarious pre-spring state and King's Landing's major tenant — the Chief Command II — will again be able to be safely serviced and accessed by vehicles travelling the length of the dock to where the boat is moored.

See original story: King's Landing repairs needed following spring ice surge

Although North Bay City Council members unanimously approved the nearly $95,000 contract to repair damage resulting from rogue ice sheets off Lake Nipissing this past spring, one councillor did so begrudgingly and was joined by another in lamenting the often glacial pace at which some major projects — such as the King's Landing redevelopment — take to see action in the City of North Bay.

Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch told her colleagues, "We know King's Landing is not in the best of shape. It's a band-aid solution. At some point — once we get Cassellholme figured out — we've got to take a look at the long-term plan for King's Landing."

From BayToday's 2015 archives: King's Landing under the microscope

In July 2019, an environmental assessment (EA) valid for 10 years was recommended in committee — and later approved at the council level — for King’s Landing, leaving options open for future redevelopment. 

Mayor Al McDonald acknowledged then the King's Landing project "might not happen this cycle of council, it may happen in two councils from now. But at least we’re leaving all the options open for anybody that sits at the table."

That EA required up to $60,000 at the time and was in addition to the approximately $750,000 already spent reviewing erosion, water properties, and looking at construction options, according to Coun. Chris Mayne who, at the time, chaired the (since renamed) engineering and works committee.

City staff had recommended the approval of a "phased-in replacement of the King’s Land Wharf with a naturalized spit and expansion of the pier on the south side of the marina," at an estimated cost of $16.6 million in 2019 dollars. Council indicated they were content to hold off and seek funding opportunities with a one-third share model from each level of government.

"It shouldn't take us years and years and years. It's taken us eight years to figure out the community centre. Seven or eight years to figure out King's Landing," said Vrebosch during Tuesday's regular meeting. "It's taking too long to figure stuff out and in the meantime, we're spending money on band-aid solutions. I'm hoping we can pick an option and move forward [once Cassellholme has been settled]."

Coun. Marcus Tignanelli was as exasperated as Vrebosch by the spending. 

"It's frustrating. To call a spade a spade, we're spending $100,000 to essentially keep the Chief Commanda II in business," he said. "I question, oftentimes, at what point is the municipality responsible for the economic development of some of the tourism operators and businesses? These band-aid solutions are only going so far."

Tignanelli is hopeful a funding source will soon open to address King's Landing so the temporary fixes can stop. However, he said he is mindful of the difficulties the tourist boat operation has faced due to COVID-19 and reluctantly supported the award of the contract.

"As a municipality, and as governments, move farther into debt, we really need to look at where we're spending our money," said Tignanelli. "It's an important tourist attraction in our city but I don't love spending 100 grand knowing that the economic impact is not there."

Georgian Bay Cruise Company's Rich Stivrins heads operations for the Chief Commanda II. Upon hearing the comments made during the meeting, he said he understood the frustration considering the pressure politicians are under in uncertain financial times.

"Nobody wanted to see the dock get damaged," he observed, "but we've been sitting on years and years of studies saying the dock is at the end of its useful life. So, it's not a huge shock."

At the same time, while there is a business relationship with the City, there is also a business to run — something this particular business cannot accomplish without the amenities the old wharf offers in this market. Chief Commanda II was forced to remain docked last summer due to pandemic public health restrictions.

Stivrins observed the City of North Bay has been quite fair to deal with while the wharf has been inaccessible by vehicle. Until repairs are completed to the dock, $25,000 has been set aside for alternate arrangements to provide septic, fuelling, and accessibility services for the tenants of King's Landing, including the Chief Commanda II and its ticket stall. King's Landing must also be repaired and maintained to provide fire protection services and access to tenants of the wharf.

As long as the repairs are completed promptly, Stivrins said he doesn't expect expenses to even approach that number as it was given as an upset limit. As much as the company appreciates the workarounds and mitigation taken by the City, he is looking forward to resuming operations as passengers and staff have come to know them.

"I'd be lying if I said we aren't anxious to get this thing done quickly because it does impact our operations in a pretty big way, added Stivrins. As the reopening stages progress, it is hoped the number of guests permitted will too. The boat has opened its season operating at 25 per cent capacity. The key step for the tour boat is to progress to the indoor dining phase so the operation can offer its popular dinner tours once more.

Stivrins observed northern Ontario tourism pre-pandemic exceeded $1 billion in economic activity and employs tens of thousands.

"Sometimes, I think we forget how big of a driver, economically, tourism is in the north. Whether it's the Chief Commanda II or the ski hill, these are anchors that draw people to the area," he said. "Without things for people to do, you can't compete," with other northern markets for those tourism dollars.