Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Council approved an agreement with Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home to provide shuttle service in Lion’s Head from July 3 to September 7 this year. The Municipality has partnered with Golden Dawn since 2022 when they were the sole bidder during the Request for Proposals process. The shuttle travels from the Lion’s Head Arena parking lot to McCurdy Drive parking lot (access to Lion’s Head Provincial Park) and other tourist destinations in the village.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Peggy Van Mierlo-West, said that “essentially it was done to curtail pedestrian traffic up to the Lion’s Head Provincial Park via Moore Street.” Staff observed tourists walking up the Moore Street hill multiple people wide rather than single file creating an unsafe roadway. “It was also to curtail overflow parking and having traffic congestion up at the parking area itself,” she said.
The shuttle service costs MNBP $1,283 per day, revealing an increase of $200 per day over last season. The increase reflects a rise in insurance, fuel, and cost of living prices. The CAO explained that although operational costs have grown, the service is assured to help tourism demands, improve visitor management, and reduce parking pressures. “This essentially is a net zero operation and is being paid for by the parking and reservation systems, we believe it will be net zero this year also,” said Van Mierlo-West.
The shuttle proposes to operate Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from 10am to 6:30pm.
Vending Machines Coming to Lion’s Head Harbour Boater’s Lounge
Municipal staff have been searching for a vending machine service provider since last year to supply snacks at the Boater’s Lounge at the Lion’s Head Marina. Vendhouse Canada from Springwater, Ontario was approved on May 25 by Council to supply vending machines from June 1 to October 31, 2026 on a trial basis.
The provider agreed to pay $100 per month to the Municipality. With the installation of laundry vending machines in 2025, the snack/food vending machines will give boaters another service in the harbour and make better use of the under-utilized Boater’s Lounge.
Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden communicated concern with the vending machines supplying sandwiches which may potentially impact sales from the local grocery store and restaurants. She suggested the machines limit sales to snacks like chips, pop, and chocolate bars. “I think we have to be cognizant, the next few years especially are going to be challenging for food providers,” said the councillor.
Hardwick Cove Zoning By-law Amendment Approved with Amendments
Council approved a zoning by-law amendment (ZBLA) for 123 Hardwick Cove Road where three residential lots are being severed from a large parcel. Following concerns from neighbours at a previous meeting, Bruce County Planning Department made changes to the application to satisfy the parties.
A lot grading and drainage plan will be required prior to any development on the three new residential lots that surround existing houses on Hardwick Cove Road. The plans will ensure that water runoff does not interfere with other properties. One neighbour expressed worry with development on Lot A3 which has an irregular “L” shape and building envelope directly behind their house. Planner, Megan Stansfield, suggested a 6-metre treed buffer between the lots for privacy and separation. Lot A3 has a reduced frontage of 18 metres using an existing driveway. Stansfield’s report indicates that the width of the lot does not impact nearby properties or the character of the neighbourhood. “The 18 metre frontage is existing, there is a driveway there, it’s not as common to see these sorts of different shaped lots but I would say it is a better use of the space, it allows the rounding out of the development in that area,” voiced the planner.
Councillor Golden clarified that if Council makes a decision that is inconsistent with a planning recommendation from Bruce County, then that places the Municipality at risk of being summoned to the Ontario Land Tribunal. “We have to take very seriously what our Bruce County Planners recommend, they work for us, they are the experts.”
