Windermere & Beaumaris Wharf Review

Both the Beaumaris wooden dock and Windermere floating docks at their respective wharves have reached the end of their useful life, and the 2025 Capital Budget included funding for replacement of said docks.

The Beaumaris and Windermere wharves play significant roles in the Township’s water transportation infrastructure. Lake travel serves as the primary access to island properties and an alternative mode for travelling between properties and to commercial locations.

See the news feed below for up to date Council and Committee decisions.

How do I get involved?

Stay Updated: Keep track of the project’s progress by signing up to "Follow the Project" and checking the "Engagement Timeline" on the right side of the page.
Spread the Word: Share this page with your local network. Greater participation and feedback will allow us to better scope the improvements to respond to your unique neighborhood needs.

See the news feed below for up to date Council and Committee decisions.

How do I get involved?

Stay Updated: Keep track of the project’s progress by signing up to "Follow the Project" and checking the "Engagement Timeline" on the right side of the page.
Spread the Word: Share this page with your local network. Greater participation and feedback will allow us to better scope the improvements to respond to your unique neighborhood needs.

Update: Council & Committee Direction from October 15

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At its meeting on October 15, 2025, Council chose to proceed with the Windermere Wharf Dock replacement but to defer the Maple Leaf Dock replacement. See full update below.
That same day, General/Finance Committee heard from multiple delegates regarding the Beaumaris Wood Dock, in which guided discussions to review the options and vote in favour of exploring a potential lease of the Township's Beaumaris Docks in order to preserve the historical seasonal use. Staff are currently exploring a potential lease option to bring forward at a future Committee meeting. See full update below.
Windermere
When Council considered the Award of Tender for the Windermere Wharf Floating Dock Replacement, as outlined in Staff Report OPS-2024-047 they kept the delegations' comments in mind and Council chose to proceed with the Windermere Wharf Dock replacement but to defer the Maple Leaf Dock replacement portion of the project at this time.
Approved Plan (Windermere Wharf Dock)
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Postponed Plan (Maple Leaf Dock)
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Beaumaris
The report brought to Committee, Staff Report OPS-2025-049, provided an overview of the options for the refurbishment/replacement of the Beaumaris Wood Dock. Following receipt of a Closed Session report, Committee reviewed the options and voted in favour of exploring a potential lease of the Township's Beaumaris Docks in order to preserve the historical seasonal use.
Staff are currently exploring a potential lease option to bring forward at a future Committee meeting.
Current Project Standing
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Use of Public Docks and Ramps By-law Amendments
At their August 2025 meeting, Committee directed staff to proceed with amendments to By-Law 2003-029 (Use of Public Docks and Ramps By-law), as outlined in Option 3, of report OPS-2025-039. Option 3 directed that the sale of seasonal permits be removed from the by-law. Staff were to also include additional amendments regarding:
1. Roll out plan for the new approach;
2. Wording pertaining to Township services: “does not include providing seasonal slips”;
3. Phased in approach to changes in Beaumaris and Windermere;
4. Change in the length of time for docking to increase the time;
5. Amendment to the fees to reflect market rates;
6. Wording to restrict parking overnight.
Phased in Approach
With the removal of seasonal permits, it should be expected that this change come in effect over a multi-year period to give time for past seasonal permit holders to find alternative docking locations. In this regard staff expect to renew wharf manager agreements for the 2026 season, and recommend that they conclude after the 2028 season. It is anticipated that this shall allow sufficient time to communicate and advise of the impending changes and to allow alternative arrangements to be secured.
Staff intend on bringing renewed wharf manager agreements for review during the winter of 2026, and it is assumed that only those prior seasonal permit holders interested to do so would be eligible to retain seasonal permits until the end of the 2028 season.
For the full report, view Staff Report OPS-2025-048 (October 15 2025) and the Redlined - Use of Public Docks and Ramps By-law.
Update: Committee Direction from August 13

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At its meeting on August 13, 2025, the General/Finance Committee reviewed the proposed dock designs for Windermere Wharf and Beaumaris Wharf.
Both wharves (Windermere and Beaumaris) were confirmed to have reached the end of their useful life. The Township sought community input on proposed dock layouts, and staff held consultations with area stakeholders.
Windermere
Committee approved the proposed layout for the Windermere dock, with the condition that the public be informed about the layout, and any comments submitted will be forwarded to Council before final approval.
Review the report and Windermere layout here (pgs. 195-258): Report OPS-2025-039 - Beaumaris and Windermere Wharf Project Layouts
Beaumaris
Committee postponed approval of the Beaumaris dock layout. Staff are to provide additional information on materials.