By Tessa Swanton, Bruce Peninsula Press
The Agenda for Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Council’s April 29 Meeting included the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) Quarterly Report for the first three months of 2025.
The Building Department experienced a massive 61% decline in revenues for Quarter 1 (Q1) of 2025 in comparison to Q1 of 2024. Interestingly, the department witnessed “a notable shift towards additions and renovations, which doubled year-over-year.” The CAO noted that “this trend may reflect changing market conditions or policy influences.” Upgrades to existing residential dwellings seem to be preferred over new construction.
The Parks and Facilities Department encountered an 188% increase in maintenance activities in Q1 compared to Q1 of 2024. Mark Coleman, Manager of Parks and Recreation, said that the drastic increase in maintenance is the result of undertaking both large capital projects and small projects in the operating budget. He stated that part of his role is to organize “repairs and renovations to facilities that are up there in years” as there “may have been maintenance that has been deferred.”
In terms of facility usage, the Lion’s Head Community Centre and Arena accommodated 8,580 visitors over the three months for various sporting and community events. The Tobermory Community Centre saw 3,547 visitors with the Friendship Club close behind with 2,208 visitors and 628 at the Rotary Hall in Lion’s Head
Coleman said that a new electric ice resurfacer will be purchased for use at Lion’s Head Arena as the current vehicle has reached the end of its lifespan. The electric model will improve indoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Further, Coleman noted plans for heat pumps to be installed in facilities along with the conversion to LED lighting to improve energy efficiency. Other maintenance projects include replacing the concrete steps and entranceway at the Ferndale Art Gallery, front entrance work at the Lion’s Head Rotary Hall, and new playgrounds in Ferndale and Pike Bay pending funding approval.
The Clerk’s Department noticed a 69% increase in Council and committee meetings along with a 92% upsurge in active planning applications – three zoning by-law amendments, three subdivisions, and four severances. The Bruce County Planning and Development Department primarily reviews and processes municipal planning applications while the Clerk’s Department provides administrative support resulting in an increased workload. The CAO noted that staff are “processing planning applications faster” which may give rise to the issuance of building permits for structures on these properties as land developments are approved.
The intense winter weather this past season resulted in the Fire Department responding to 59 emergency calls, a 74% increase compared to Q1 of 2024. Calls intensified around medical responses, motor vehicle collisions, false alarms, and downed power lines. The department prioritized training this quarter with seven staff achieving National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) certificates, four becoming certified in Technician-Level Ice Water Rescue, and all firefighters receiving Awareness-Level Water Rescue certifications.
Multiple severe winter weather events in Q1 posed a challenge for the Public Works Department. The department was overwhelmed with storm cleanup, signage replacement, and Waste Management provider breakdowns for garbage and recycling collection.
Capital Projects
The Municipality commenced some capital projects that were approved in the 2025 Budget. LED lighting was installed at the MNBP Administration office and heat pumps are scheduled for installation in the coming months. The Fire Department invested in new gear, coveralls, and a pickup truck. Windows were replaced at Tobermory Airport. The Parks and Recreation Department purchased a new pickup truck, installed LED lighting at the Tobermory Community Centre and furnished some public spaces.
Resident Parking Spaces at Big Tub
Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden presented a motion at the April 29th Council Meeting requesting that the two parking spaces reserved for residents at the Big Tub parking area remain out of the new reservation-based parking system. Councillor Todd Dowd asked staff to consider increasing the time limit for some parking spaces at that location, and at spaces near the Grandview Motel in Tobermory, to four hours to allow for scuba divers to complete their dive excursions. The CAO will investigate the parking requests.
