Public feedback invited on proposed $5M Sand Point Beach relocation, facelift

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From left, Ray Mensour, Commissioner of community services for the City of Windsor, Mayor Drew Dilkens and Ward 7 councillor Jeewen Gill, hold a press conference to update progress on improvements coming to Sand Point Beach, on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
From left, Ray Mensour, Commissioner of community services for the City of Windsor, Mayor Drew Dilkens and Ward 7 councillor Jeewen Gill, hold a press conference to update progress on improvements coming to Sand Point Beach, on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

Windsor’s only beach is moving east and away from dangerous waters where at least six people have drowned — including a 24-year-old man last year — but not before residents have a chance to chime in.

Concept designs subject to public consultation for a proposed “blue flag” reimagining of Sand Point Beach unveiled Thursday show the sand and swimming area would move one lot over to Ganatchio Park, grassy land currently occupied by picnic tables with a breakwall. An upgraded kayak launch would also be added to that area, while a new playground, splash pad, covered pavilion, and greenspace would replace the beach and its existing play equipment. A fishing platform is planned for the waterfront area to the west perilous to swimmers.

“The tragedy less than a year ago and ones that happened previously helped to inform the incredible work that we’re discussing today,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens during a media event by the beach.

The city has for years discussed relocating the beach away from the shipping channel and its strong current, but the May 22 drowning death of a young man swimming in the western section spurred council into action. Shortly after tragedy struck, council unanimously supported Ward. 7 Coun. Jeewen Gill’s motion to proceed immediately with a $227,000 environmental assessment — initially slated for 2024 and required before any work could be done.

“The design that will be presented (at a May 19 public open house) will include a host of safety features from railing barriers, lifeguard equipment, signage, and more,” Gill said Thursday.

“Our efforts today will honor the memory of those who drowned near this area.”

Major Drew Dilkens and Ward 7 Coun. Jeewen Gill, hold up a drawing of the proposed changes to Sand Point Beach, during a press event on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
Major Drew Dilkens and Ward 7 Coun. Jeewen Gill, hold up a drawing of the proposed changes to Sand Point Beach, during a press event on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

Six people have drowned at the beach since it opened in 1980, according to the Windsor Star files. Most happened in the westernmost side of the beach when people stepped beyond the safety boundary and were swept away by the shipping channel current. In almost all cases, no lifeguards were on duty, either because the victims were swimming after hours or outside the summer swimming season.

A study of Sand Point Beach is underway, but preliminary site design layouts will be available for review and public feedback on May 19 at Riverside Sportsmen Club (10835 Riverside Dr. E.). Two drop-in style open houses with graphics and info boards about the proposed changes will run from 2 to 4 pm and from 6 to 8 pm

After the meetings, the content will be posted online where residents can submit comments for an additional two weeks.

Dilkens in November announced $26 million in park enhancements in the coming years, including $800,000 to start the beach’s costly redesign and relocation. Approximately $5 million has been earmarked in the city’s budget for the beach project, but Dilkens said he expects the project will cost more “to do it right and to make it look right.”

Ray Mensour, the city’s commissioner of community services, said that once the beach has been reimagined, the city will seek for it to be “blue flag” certified, an internationally recognized designation that requires a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria be met.

“The present location of the beach and proximity to the strong currents and deeper water of the Detroit River limits its use and the programming opportunities that can be offered,” Mensour said. “It also prevents us from meeting all of the 33 criteria required to apply to become a blue flag beach.”

Summer aquatic camp programming, field trip opportunities, and outdoor adventure pursuits like floating yoga and meditation, and kayak and canoe lessons will also be on the table once the new beach is complete.

The goal is to have the project complete as soon as possible. While he hopes the results of public consultation and the subsequent design preparation will be brought back to council by the end of the year, he said beach activity this summer won’t be affected.

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Looking at the present location of Sand Point Beach from its new location just to the east.
Looking at the present location of Sand Point Beach from its new location just to the east. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

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