Beachfront redevelopment

In April 2017, town council authorized a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) seeking development partners to work with the town on the development of the downtown and beachfront.

In May 2017, the Downtown Steering Committee and the RFEOI Review Committee undertook a review of the proposals and FRAM/Slokker scored the highest.

Based on the review, the Downtown Steering Committee passed a resolution recommending FRAM/Slokker as the preferred developer. This was subject to due diligence.

A third party audit took place to ensure the FRAM Building Group (FRAM) had the financial strength to carry out the project to the satisfaction of the town.

On July 20, 2017, Committee of the Whole granted conditional approval to FRAM to be the development partner with the town for town-owned lands in the Downtown and Beach Area 1 and 2, subject to the third party audit.

The audit resulted in a positive report. On Dec. 12, 2017, General Government Committee recommended working with FRAM on the creation of a development agreement. Work on this commenced.

On July 6, 2018, Committee of the Whole recommends that a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) be prepared and entered into with FRAM.

The LOI was approved on July 24, 2018.

A new council was sworn in on Dec. 5, 2018.

The majority of council heard a common theme during the election campaign.

1. People were not happy with the previous council's plans to see condominiums constructed at Beach Area 2
2. People were not happy with certain aspects of the previous council's plans for developing the downtown, i.e. mandatory requirement that the new arena and library be located in the downtown, and the prescriptive language in the Official Plan.

Given the feedback from the electorate, Coordinated Committee recommended that council allow the Letter of Intent to lapse with FRAM as of Dec. 31, 2018. Council agreed and the LOI lapsed.

What happened next?

The town in June 2019 issued a new Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) for the development of Beach Area 1 based on the input from the development community, the needs of the community, the provisions in the downtown master plan and best practice.

The RFEOI short-listed six firms.

Press Release - Results of the Request for Expressions of Interest

When did council issue the RFP?

On Nov. 12, 2020, council approved issuing a RFP to the six firms short-listed through the RFEOI process.

Press Release - Beachfront redevelopment moves into next phase

Developers were required to submit their proposals by February 2021. See the above release to learn further details.

Why are studies for this project so important?

The Downtown Master Plan, approved in March 2017, identifies several steps that need to happen for the successful implementation of the plan. This involves the detailed planning of infrastructure requirements in order to develop the properties.

The requirement for technical studies is typical for any development process. It leads to an understanding of the development potential/limitations of a property prior to considering the approval of development. Having this knowledge reduces uncertainties regarding costs and approvals.

What additional studies have taken place?

Council authorized adding the following to the scope of the Environmental Assessment:

• Geotechnical report
• Phase 1 Environmental Assessment Report
• Built Heritage and Cultural Report

Utilizing consultants, subject to the town purchasing policy, council authorized the following additional studies:

• Overall Master Parking Study
• Composite Master Utilities Plan
• Update to the 2014 Natural Hazard Study
• Master Topographical and Legal Survey for all properties
• Jenetta Well Site Chlorination Chamber relocation preliminary assessment
• Micro climate urban design guidelines to deal with wind, sand, and climate impacts for the new building faces on Beach Drive
• Review the Community Benefit section of the Planning Act.

At the May 20, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting, committee considered the next steps in the redevelopment of town-owned land at the main beachfront.

The town’s evaluation team identified Slate Asset Management L.P. as the preferred company to develop municipal property at the waterfront, just south of Beach Drive.

Committee unanimously approved Slate Asset Management L.P. as the preferred developer and authorized staff to assemble a team to negotiate with Slate the purchase and sale terms for the property. This was ratified by council on May 25, 2021.

What was the outcome of the negotiations?

The town announced in January 2022 that negotiations had concluded with Slate.

The town and Slate were unable to reach an agreement on the final purchase price for the properties.

Read the full news release.

The town also said that negotiations were starting with Bayloc Developments Inc., the town’s second preferred developer, identified through the request for proposals process.

Negotiations with Bayloc took place.

In August 2022, the Town of Wasaga Beach announced that council agreed to sell town-owned land at the beachfront to Bayloc Developments Inc. with Zancor as a partner, subject to a maximum 120-day due diligence period.

In December 2022, the Town of Wasaga Beach and Bayloc Developments Inc. concluded their due diligence period and despite best efforts could not agree on a timeline for the project. As a result, the agreement could not be finalized and talks concluded.

Read the news release to learn more.

In the New Year, council will consider next steps for the town-owned properties.