The Town of Huntsville is seeking public input on a proposal to lease municipal waterfront property to a privately operated floating sauna and cold plunge business. Feedback received through the consultation will help Council decide whether to proceed with the proposal and, if so, which of the two suggested locations may be most appropriate.
The locations under consideration are River Mill Park, on the Muskoka River west of the public docks near the community garden, and the Town Dock property, where the business would use the finger docks area directly in front of On The Docks Pub.
The Town did ask the LVA to identify any concerns from an environmental perspective with this request. The LVA submission indicated that while it was “generally supportive of the proposed concept”, there were several environmental and operational concerns and recommended that the applicant complete a formal, scoped Environmental Impact Assessment once a final design and location have been determined. The concerns included:
- the potential effects of seasonally moving the structure;
- changes to the existing dock footprint;
- impacts on fish and other aquatic life;
- the proposed heating method;
- the possible introduction of soaps, skincare products and cleaning chemicals into the water; and
- the environmental effects of construction materials and ongoing maintenance.
As noted above, the LVA only commented on environmental concerns. As both locations involve the potential private commercial use of public waterfront property, there may be other concerns. LVA members are encouraged to review the proposal and share their views with the Town using the Town’s online survey noted below, or by emailing the Mayor or their Council Member.
For further details:
- Click HERE to read the Doppler article.
- Click HERE to read the Staff Report
- Click HERE for the email addresses for the Mayor and Council Members
The online survey is available through the Town of Huntsville’s public engagement website HERE until the Aug. 11 deadline.