Purpose of Tourist Camp Strategic Assessment

The Town of Saugeen Shores has received a number of inquiries regarding the purpose and objectives of the Tourist Camp Strategic Assessment that is currently underway. The assessment is not being used to determine whether the municipally-run Tourist Camps should continue to operate, and the Town is not intending to sell the camps.

Below is some additional information to help clarify the intent, scope, and goals of this work.

Background

The Town owns two municipal tourist camps, one in Port Elgin and one in Southampton. Both camps operate from May 1 to October 31, offering full-service sites to seasonal residents, as well as some short-term trailer sites.

The 2024 Town of Saugeen Shores Business Plan identified that a strategic assessment should be completed to provide Council with detailed and current information to support responsible long-term planning for these important municipal assets. The assessment was deferred and was included in the Council approved 2026 Town of Saugeen Shores Business Plan (pg. 31) for completion in Q1 2027.

Strategic Assessment

The Town has engaged StrategyCorp to complete a Strategic Assessment of both Tourist Camps and the Port Elgin Harbour. The assessment will look at the overall business case and long-term sustainability of each asset, including operating results, reserve contributions, future capital needs, rates and fees, facility condition, infrastructure requirements, service levels, tourism trends, seasonal demand, utilities, amenities, capacity pressures, expansion opportunities, and potential surplus lands (i.e. land not currently in use for Tourist Camp operations).

As part of the assessment, surveys are being circulated to Harbour and Tourist Camp stakeholders to gather practical feedback from users and others connected to these facilities. Anyone with a connection to the camps may complete the online survey before September 16, 2026.

A final report will provide clear options and a 10-year outlook to support future Council decision-making. The information is expected to be presented publicly to Council in February 2027.