GORE BAY—While Gore Bay council has approved a motion that will see seasonal marina dockage rates significantly increase in 2024 to address office staff costs and managing this operation, and maintain the marina contribution to the town operational budget, it was done with a cautionary point made by Mayor Ron Lane at a council meeting last week.
“Among all other municipally operated marinas on the North Channel (from Meldrum Bay to Sault Ste. Marie) we have the second highest rates,” said Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane at a meeting last week. “We have to be careful that we are not pricing ourselves out of the seasonal boater dockage market.”
“It is important to keep this in mind,” said Mayor Lane. “Seasonal boaters dockage adds value to the town as well. Some people may not think they spend as much in town as overnighters, but they do.
“Marinas like Spanish and Blind River don’t have the services that we provide,” said Councillor Dan Osborne. “Boaters can walk from the marina to the downtown area to shop and get the services they need here in Gore Bay. I’ve been to both these other marinas and to get groceries they would have to have a vehicle on hand or take a taxi. I agree we have to stay competitive but not overextend ourselves.”
A recommendation had been made by town staff for council to consider increasing all regular seasonal dockage rates from $41.62 to $45.03 (8.2 percent) and the residential seasonal dockage rate from $30.83 to $34.90 (an increase of 13.2 percent).
In the report to council from treasurer Michael Lalonde it was explained, “The North Channel area of Lake Huron attracts boaters from southern and Northern Ontario and the Midwestern United States since it is regarded as the number one freshwater sailing area in the world. The Gore Bay marina occupies a key location in this region with its deep entrance, protected moorage and anchorage locations.”
“The reputation of a business is mainly supported by the quality of the customer service provided by the facility,” the report continues. “Based on this it is imperative the marina continues to maintain a high level of customer service through retention and succession planning. Another key factor is ensuring the quality and high standards of the facilities provided are maintained. To maintain these facilities, it is critical to maintain a healthy reserve to allow for future capital maintenance items such as repairing the paving stones around the marina building.”
It was explained, “Historically, the cost of the Gore Bay Marina operations did not include the significant efforts made by the office staff in handling the seasonal boaters nor the costs associated with managing the financial affairs of this operation.”
“The 2024 budget addresses all three issues,” the staff report explains. “It proposes to reclassify the harbour master assistant position to being an adult position that would be intended to support succession planning. In 2024 the wages for this position would increase from $1 over the minimum wage $17.60 to $22 per hour. The budget contribution to reserves reverts to the 25 percent approved in the reserve and reserve funds policy. The 2024 budget also includes indirect cost allocations for the office administration on an appropriate and supportive basis.”
The proposed rate increases are being recommended, “To ensure the marina does not reduce its contribution to the Town of Gore Bay’s operating budget.”
“The proposed rates will maintain our competitiveness with other marinas on the North Channel while also providing for the long-term sustainability of the marina and its reputation as a destination for transient boaters who spend on fuel and other marina services while also contributing to the local economy,” the report continues. “Failure to raise rates will impact the ability of the marina to provide direct support to the town’s operational budget and burden additional tax levies on residents who do not utilize the marina.”
“I don’t disagree,” stated Councillor Osborne. “We have always had revenues from the marina that we put in the budget, but we don’t bill the marina for the staff time when work is done. These rates will reflect that.”
“If we are proposing to have these increases of eight and 13 percent above inflation, will this be for once, or year after year?” asked Mayor Lane.
Town Manager Harry Schlange told council the rate increase would be set at this rate and remain in place for the future.
“That’s good, I would have an issue if it increased every year,” said Mayor Lane.
Mr. Lalonde noted that $141,000 (in marina revenues) went into the town budget last year.
