[1]TRENTON, ON. (25/05/2011) MPP Lou Rinaldi annouces the provinical government will contribute $4 million to the city of Quinte West's marina plans. (Left to Right; MPP Rick Johnson, Mayor John Williams, MPP Lou Rinaldi) Photo by Steph Crosier
By Steph Crosier
The mayor of Quinte West is confident a new marina will be built in Trenton by the summer 2012.
At a news conference on Wednesday in Trenton, Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland-Quinte West, announced that the provincial government would provide Quinte West with $4 million for the proposed new marina.
Though the previous estimate was upwards of $12 million and needed federal funding as well, Mayor John Williams said he is confident they can still proceed with the plans.
“We can do it with different amounts (of money). Obviously the more we get the better, but we can still do it with the money we got from the province,” said Williams.
“There’s a plan so we’re not going to raise any taxes. By September we’ll have to have a meeting and say this is where we are with funding, what do you want to do? We will get this done, this is just too important.”
Council has also been talking to Rick Norlock, MP for Northumberland-Quinte West for federal support. Williams said in an interview that if they do not receive money from the federal government they would still start development in September.
“City of Quinte West has been very aggressive in trying to turn Quinte West into a world-class community,” said Rinaldi. “When you get the projects like this that are not only short term, it’s going to create short-term jobs which are always welcome, but with long-term economic benefit.
“Its great not only for Quinte West, but for the whole area.”
Rinaldi praised the Trent Waterway and noted how a new marina would benefit tourism and recreation.
“We have a world-class water course with the Trent Severn system and Quinte West here at the mouth of it,” said Rinaldi. “How we didn’t take benefit of that 50 years ago, I have no idea. But we are going to start in the next year or so when this project is complete. It will certainly add huge benefits.”
A new marina for downtown Trenton has been in the works for a number of years. The plans are for a 380-slip marina at the mouth of the Trent waterway.
“It’s going to be a real catalyst to the revitalization of our waterfront,” said Suzanne Andrews of the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce. “If you are one of the ones who enjoy boating, you can have your boat here and keep it in a first-class marina.”
The new marina will not just be for boaters.
“If you like to kayak or canoe there’s going to be a kayak beach, volleyball courts – there’s going to be all sorts of things so its not all about the boating,” said Andrews. “It’s about creating that waterfront atmosphere.
“And everybody loves that, it’s vibrant, it’s a fun place to go. There could be musicians; you know bands playing in the evening, so it becomes a people place. So it’s not just about the boats.”
The community’s economy will be greatly enhanced, she said.
“It’s going to be a huge boost,” said Andrews. “There’s going to be spinoffs from this. “New businesses will pop up to support the boaters. So you know, all kinds of potential.”
She said the waterfront atmosphere would also lead to new developments downtown because people will want to live near it.
“It’s residential too,” said Andrews. “Where you have marinas you tend to have condo developments. So it can be the real catalyst to suddenly get the waterfront developed.
“To have some nice condos here and to have the option for people who live here, who want to downsize, or get out on the waterfront – it’ll be an affordable option for them.”