The Municipality of Kincardine is taking steps to reduce the hazards associated with the pier.
Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski said council established the Pier Safety Ad-hoc Committee (PSAC) in the fall of 2023 to address the 13 drownings that have occurred in the waters near the Kincardine piers since 2008.
"Unfortunately, there was a drowning and a near miss that occurred this past summer in August of 2023," explained Jagelewski. "And council at that point, established what we call a Pier Safety Ad-hoc Committee. And it was really to review the incidents that have occurred to date in and around the piers, review some of the previous reports that had been conducted and to develop some recommendations that could reduce the hazards that are associated with the usage of the pier."
Last week, council approved the committee's recommendation to spend $92,000 on improvements in 2024.
Jagelewski said there are a total of 37 ladders around the pier but one of the top recommendations was to add ten new ladders.
"We recognize that there are some that needed to be replaced. Also with the ladders too is, you know, typically, they're the items that are used the most if someone needs to get out of the water for emergency purposes," noted Jagelewski. "And as we experienced fluctuating water levels, sometimes the bottom of those ladders can be exposed and outside of the water, which makes it even more difficult to get out of. So we recognize the need to have a ladder that can that can work with those fluctuating water levels."
She pointed out the number of lifesaving stations will be doubled.
"We also talked about the need to increase the number of life saving stations from two to four on the on the piers themselves," she revealed. "The piers are relatively large structures and in the commotion of an emergency, or conducting an emergency, sometimes they're not necessarily easy to access and those that are conducting the emergencies may need to travel a bit of a distance to get to them. So they need to have them strategically placed in areas which makes them easily accessible. "
Jagelewski added the town will make changes to the north end of Station Beach near the pier, including removing the big blue chairs from that location.
"We're going to be removing those so that we don't entice users to go to that area to have their picture taken in the chairs and then enter the water," continued Jagelewski. "That area of the beach off the northern part of Station Beach, we're looking at bringing it back to what we call a more of a dynamic beach where we've got dunes that'll start growing, and that it maybe isn't that desirable for patrons to be at, because again, we want to encourage them to go to the more southern portion of the beach."
The committee also recommended the municipality set up a volunteer Beach Blazers Program. Jagelewski said the Beach Blazers are not life guards, and will not enter the water to perform rescues.
"But they are ambassadors to the municipality. They can provide insight into amenities and services within Kincardine for patrons utilizing the beach if they want to find more information about Kincardine," revealed Jagelewski. "They may on occasion conduct surveys based on the direction from staff. If they witness an act that may be impacting the safety of patrons or themselves, then they can initiate a phone call to OPP or to municipal bylaw."
The report also called for the painting of the pier perimeter bright yellow with enhancements and enhanced signage to reflect risks along with the 911 location. The non-swimming area located south of the south pier will be expanded from 100 meters to 200 meters.
The group advised that both piers could remain open year-round with appropriate signage and education. Jagelewski stressed the ban on jumping from the pier will remain in place.
"We recognize the fact that that many individuals jump off the pier and whether it's for nostalgia purposes because their father did it and their grandfather did it, or they're doing it every time they come up to the beach for their visit, the beach has long been associated with jumping off piers," she said. "But we recognize the fact that it is a hazard and it is technically not permitted at this point. There is no bylaw prohibiting it, but certainly it's our intention, as we discussed with council, to monitor that, and if at such time Council decides that they wish to have to have it fineable then that certainly will be a recommendation that we'll bring back to council."
Council approved the recommendations as presented along with adding a maximum of $92,000 to the 2024 budget to implement this year’s projects.
"Staff will work through a procurement process, ensuring that the ladders are secured as well as the updated life saving stations," Jagelewski added. "The order of signage will be developed and a detailed development of the beach. The beach blazer program and training that will occur as part of that too. We anticipate that those recommendations will be enforced for the summer."
Jagelewski said municipal staff will continue to monitor pier safety.
"Staff will certainly ensure that annual reviews and upgrades are ongoing to ensure that the sustainability of the recommendations are inherent," she concluded. "And it's equally important to ensure that the municipality has the mitigations in place to provide a safe space and beach for all users and that the patrons understand the inherent risks that are associated with beach use."