About the Project

In 2019, the City of St. Catharines completed the Sunset Beach Community Vision study, which included extensive community engagement to set the long-term framework for future improvements needed to bring the park and its facilities up to current standards. The City of St. Catharines has partnered with Dillon Consulting Limited to develop the Sunset Beach Renewal Project to enhance the popular and beloved recreation area and City park. This consultation is the next step in making the Sunset Beach Community Vision a reality.

The Sunset Beach Renewal Project will undergo protection, restoration, and enhancement efforts while preserving the area’s unique character and protecting the area’s natural assets. Sunset Beach is an important public amenity space within the St. Catharines waterfront; establishing safe access to the park, its abundance of park amenities, greenspace, the beach, shoreline, and water access is a priority for the community.

Recognizing that many of the facilities at Sunset Beach are nearing the end of their service life, needing repairs or replacement, the Project will focus on enhancing this recreational area while preserving the sense of place. Like other waterfront public spaces, Sunset Beach faces ongoing challenges with fluctuating water levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and a growing population with increased active and passive recreational demands on public amenities.

Background

Sunset Beach is a City-owned park located in the Port Weller neighbourhood. The study area for this project spans from the region where the northern parking lot meets the Region of Niagara lands to Lombardy Avenue and Arthur Street, further extending to Club LaSalle in the south.

In 2019, the City of St. Catharines completed the Sunset Beach Community Visioning Study, which included extensive community engagement to set the long-term framework for future improvements required to bring the park and its facilities to current standards. The Project will be aligned with existing studies and plans, including the visioning study, strategic policies, assessment management, accessibility, shoreline protection work, and the St. Catharines Waterfront Access Master Plan, which includes feedback and engagement for Sunset Beach.

Dillon Consulting Ltd. was retained in December of 2023 to complete a comprehensive design to implement the remaining themes of the vision. After the vision was complete, the existing Sunset Beach washroom and some accessibility enhancements were completed in 2022.

The Sunset Beach Renewal Project is possible with a grant from the Province of Ontario following an application by City staff to the Strategic Priorities Infrastructure Fund (SPIF).

What to Expect

Dillon Consulting Ltd. is currently completing background studies and beginning the design process.

Construction is expected to begin in the winter of 2024/25 and continue until completion in 2026/27. The construction will be phased so that the park can remain in operation throughout the process, however, some areas will be restricted to allow for construction work.

The Sunset Beach Renewal Project will be implemented in a phased approach. Phase one will include improvements to the parking lot, reconstruction of the existing boat ramp and shoreline protection efforts. Phase two will consist of improvements to existing park amenities such as trails and picnic tables and a complete replacement of the playground structure.

The specific phasing schedule has not been determined yet as it will depend on various factors including weather conditions, resource availability, and coordination with ongoing park activities. These factors will be carefully considered to minimize disruption and ensure smooth progress.

Share Your Thoughts

As the project is in the 'implementation phase', the City is looking for feedback on the Sunset Beach Renewal Project’s key design elements.

Your participation is important! You can provide feedback through the online survey, or at any of the opportunities listed below.

Family-friendly Pop-up #1

Port Weller Community Centre

June 25, 2024

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Family-friendly Pop-up #2

St. Catharines Farmers Market

June 27, 2024

8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Online Survey

Live from June 18 to July 5, 2024