The Town of Gravenhurst’s economic development committee (EDC) is tinkering with the idea of forming a community-based Muskoka Wharf board to manage the municipal interests at the wharf in a cost-effective and co-ordinated manner to ensure the long-term sustainability of the multi-million dollar development.

A shotgun-style report from community economic development officer Lance Sherk was circulated to committee members separate from the agenda last Tuesday as an information piece.

While some committee members wished the report had come forward earlier, others were quick to write and support a resolution that would consider a proposed management board in the 2008 budget deliberations instead of letting another year go by.

Mayor John Klinck told the Banner he sees three reasons why a management board should be formed.

“We think it’s like the BIA (Business Improvement Area). It’s a special area and needs to have a group with a vested interest in it,” he said in a telephone interview. “There’s a unique group of elements that can be put to use and we think those down there can probably maximize it. So, a combination of all of the neighbourhood putting their heads together and figuring out what’s appropriate for the neighbourhood without disturbing the neighbourhood is probably good.

“The third thing is there could be some efficiencies that come out of it in terms of ways we go about maintaining watering, garbage collection, things like that,” he said. “We want to look at all options, I guess.”

When asked if the management board would be responsible for rectifying retail woes at the wharf in light of the closures of the Skokie Deli and Willy’s Muskoka Market, and half-constructed or fully constructed buildings with no tenants, Klinck said he hoped so.

“We would hope they would get involved and espouse the virtues, find the right people to go in there,” he said.

According to Sherk’s report, the purpose of the board could include overseeing the day-to-day management operations and on-site operational planning and maintenance of the wharf. He said the board would be expected to recommend an operations and capital replacement budget on an annual basis for town council to review and approve, and may be assigned responsibility for liaising with project partners, internal partners and external business partners, maintaining and updating the wharf website, developing three- to five-year strategic and business plans for the wharf’s operation and developing the associated work plans, and making recommendations to council for changes to wharf-related bylaws.

He suggested the EDC explore the viability of having the board operate under the auspices of the municipality like a local services board that has been used by council to manage things like the Gravenhurst Public Library, Gravenhurst Hydro and the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre.

Sherk said the other option for committee to explore is establishing a Business Improvement Area for a specified footprint that may or may not encompass the entire area known as Muskoka Wharf.

“There’s no real co-ordination at the wharf or a day-to-day operations point of contact,” Sherk said. “We need to have a point of contact so we can have things addressed in a timely and efficient manner.”

Sherk said since starting with the municipality in May, he has spent countless hours working with businesses at the wharf to resolve issues.

In his report, Sherk said the wharf is similar to a commercial power centre that normally has a management firm to operate it and deal with short-term and long-term issues.

He said the majority of retail at the wharf is small, sole proprietor-type businesses that have found it difficult to establish their business in a brand new development.

“Normally, retailers with a widely known brand would anchor a development of this nature,” read Sherk’s report. “This usually ensures a flow of shoppers/visitors to the development. While the wharf has a couple of significant tourist attractions, it lacks brand retailers . . .”

Committee member Lou Guerriero said it would be a mistake not to try to make a board structure work.

“I feel strongly that this is something we need to look at seriously,” Guerriero explained. “We’ve invested $14 million of the taxpayers’ money, levered $17 million in government funding . . . let’s not waste (it). We need to get on it so it stays how it was intended to be. We owe that to the taxpayer.”

Klinck agreed.

“We’d be missing the boat if we didn’t as an administration look at new options and approaches, whether they affect other departments, parties or individuals, so be it. It’s what we have to do,” he said.

Committee member Sandy Cairns said she had some concerns about rushing into it, though she liked the concept. Her motion to defer the item to hear back from other members of staff was defeated in a recorded vote.

“To bring this into play in 2008 we need it to be part of the budget process,” said committee member Bob Colhoun. “It’s imperative to make that facility viable and successful.”

The committee formed a resolution to endorse the concept in principle and proceed with developing the concept through the 2008 budget. They also asked that the report be circulated to other municipal staff for comments and concerns.