IN THE previous issue of Flotilla (January, page two) I provided the background to the formation of the Stakeholders’ Committee by Waterfront Toronto (WT) and the City of Toronto (the City). Application for membership was refused for OHCC and our neighbouring clubs, but membership was accepted for the Outer Harbour Sailing Federation (OHSF — our landlord), along with thirty-eight other community groups, some as far away as Weston.

At the first meeting of the Stakeholders, the opening/introductory presentation of OHSF was cut short by the moderator, and the second meeting was spent in trying to identify sources of funding to cover  the cost of the Don/Keating Channel Flood Control System at an approximate cost of $700 million. This is the key to development of the Portlands — China was suggested as a source of funding.

 With the Stakeholders apparent lack of interest in the needs of the boating community, the Ontario Sailing Association (represented there by our member, Stephanie Mah) and OHSF made arrangements for a special meeting with representatives of WT, the City, OHCC and our neighbouring clubs.

The meeting was held on 8th March and information revealed that there was a lack of money to proceed with the Lake Ontario Park plan in the foreseeable future, although the plan was still valid. In the meanwhile, the City will present to our landlord, (OHSF) and to two neighbouring clubs draft/revised leases within two weeks. Therefore, depending on the terms of the lease, and so on, there is a possibility that the seven years of lease negotiations, may at last be coming to an end.

 A further meeting of the Stakeholders was to be held on 21st March, followed by a public meeting, with the final Portland’s Business and Implementation Plan to be presented to the City Council in July.                          

Peter Brayshaw