County May Help Fund Washrooms in Sharbot Lake, But Later

Jeff Green | Jul 31, 2024

The washrooms at the Sharbot Lake beach have been controversial ever since they were installed over 15 years ago. They replaced an outhouse, and were paid for by both the township and public fundraising, in an effort led by local residents Wayne and Alison Robinson.

While they were an improvement for beach goers, the layout of the building, vandalism and maintenance issues have plagued them since the start.

The Sharbot Lake Business Group approached Central Frontenac Council in 2022. The group had identified as a top priority, the “need for the development of a strategy for the washrooms at the beach to serve the beach and trail as well as all the other short stay visitors” according to spokesperson Alison Robinson.

A plan has been developed to install washrooms in the vicinity of the parking lot at the north end of the beach, across from Mathew Street, where the Sharbot Lake tourist booth is currently located.

The township's plan is to construct three washrooms, including one that is handicapped accessible. They will be open year-round and will also include a public water station. To supplement public fundraising and their own financial commitment, Central Frontenac has approached Frontenac County for support.

In 2018, as part of the K&P Trail development initiative to establish trailheads in each township, a Frontenac contribution of $100,000, for each township was approved by Frontenac County Council. But the actual money has never been set aside.

Frontenac County has constructed one trailhead, in Verona where the trail meets Road 38 and Bellrock Road, using funding from grant money, but nothing has been done in the other three townships.

In early May, Central Frontenac Chief Administrative Officer Cathy MacMunn sent a letter of request for the funding to Frontenac County Council for the Sharbot Lake washrooms.

The letter was included in the agenda package at the July 17 meeting of the council, along with a report by Manager of Economic Development Richard Allen.

In his report, Allen recommended that instead of looking at county reserve funds or the upcoming 2025 budget process for $100,000 for Central Frontenac, the county should take a step back.

The report said the county should “develop criteria for establishing trailheads and for considering funding requests for the development of trailheads” and then report back to a committee of council.

Mayor's Lichty from North Frontenac and Vandewal from South both said they were happy to approve the development of criteria instead of having to allocate the money on the spot, which could have budget implications.

Vandewal pointed out that the location of the washrooms at the Sharbot Lake beach is not only for trail users but for traffic at the beach as well. The actual trailhead in Sharbot Lake is located 250 metres north of the beach where the K&P and Trans Canada Trails meet across from the township office. There is a railroad park at that location, which includes a caboose and other old railroad objects on display.

“Is it for trail users, or is it for Sharbot Lake”,” said Vandewal. “I know it is for both, but I'm happy with staff developing criteria and coming back.”

Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith said that “several years ago we had a consultant come in and look at that whole section from the medical centre right through to the caboose and he said that it was all one 'elongated park'.”

She also said that the location of the washrooms at the beach was ideal for snowmobilers as it is adjacent to a restaurant, a cafe and within a short walk from the grocery store and pharmacy in the hamlet.

“The beach is busy for 2 months of the year, but for the other 10 months, this is the best location for trail users.”

Councillor Fred Fowler (North Frontenac) said he is “concerned about parking in that area”.

Smith reiterated that there is plenty of parking in the area for most of the year, including on weekends at the medical centre, “which is when the trail use is the highest for snowmobiles.”

The motion to refer the matter to staff was then approved by council.