Tourists visiting this community this summer could be hanging around the Irvine Gorge – literally.
Centre Wellington council in committee of the whole on Monday approved a pilot project that will see Guelph’s One Axe Pursuits offering zip lining over the Irvine River at Victoria Park for a set fee.
Parks and recreation director Andy Goldie told council One Axe has been offering group zip lining from Victoria Park under an agreement with the township for several years. He said manager of economic development Dave Rushton approached him about an expanded zip line business as an added attraction to the village.
“People can come and walk through the park and pay” to go zip lining, Goldie said.
Zip lining is an activity where people are attached to a rope and swung over the gorge.
Goldie said in his report, “The intent is to enter into a modified commercial operators access agreement with One Axe Pursuits to allow a trial pay-per-ride operation. The township would charge One Axe a fee of $2 per rider for use of the township property and this would be paid in monthly installments with regular reporting by One Axe to the township.”
The company would pay all the set-up costs and, if the trial operation is unsuccessful, it would also be responsible for the removal of all improvements for the pay-per-ride operation.
Goldie said instead of operating from the Victoria Park eastern side of the gorge, the new business would be located on the community centre side, approximately across from Lover’s Leap.
The current group operation is run from Victoria Park, but Goldie said One Axe owner Frederick Schuett agrees it would be an imposition on the neighbours and other park users.
Victoria Park has undergone major improvements and is expected to already attract lots of visitors.
Councillor Walt Visser asked Schuett if he can make enough money and still cover the costs to repair any environmental damage.
Schuett said he has never run a pay-per-ride zip line operation before, but he knows of other companies that do.
“Some get big numbers,” he said. “If people come here for other reasons and can find [the location],” he hopes to do well financially.
Schuett said his company will build a platform for the project, make some changes to fencing, and would need to make only minor changes to the grounds. He did not expect to harm any vegetation.
He noted there is fencing scheduled to be done at the community centre this year.
“The platform we are planning to build could be a lookout deck for the public,” Schuett said, adding equipment would be removed at the end of each day so people are not tempted to use the area on their own.
“If it’s not profitable or there are problems with residents, that deck can remain as a lookout deck,” he said.
The township and Schuett did consult with neighbours by holding a public meeting. Only four people attended.
One, Ian Rankine, sent a letter to council with his comments. He wants the cultural heritage conserved, no harm done to the area, use of temporary fencing to give everyone time to select fencing in character with the area.
Rankine wondered how the township plans to accommodate trail users during the hours of zip lining when the trail is very narrow.
He wrote, “The Gorge must remain what it has been for thousands of years a natural refuge not a site in a future Elora’s Wonderland Park. How does the township intend to limit future requests from others related or non-related commercial operations for using a pubic asset for private benefit?”
He wrote, “The Gorge has had a mixed history but the natural has always been dominant. The present excitement around Elora as a creative community which uses its natural and cultural and built heritage resources for economic stability must not result in the man-made overwhelming the natural.”
Rankine added, “I applaud your use of public information nights and I share you disappointment in a low turnout. It takes time for the public to learn that their ideas will be seriously considered.” He concluded, “I will watch how the experiment of my new neighbour goes over the summer.”
Councillor Fred Morris asked Goldie about township liability. Goldie said One Axe will provide the township with $5 million in third party liability insurance.
“We’re doing our due diligence,” Goldie said.
Visser then moved that the pilot project be permitted and that was seconded by councillor Kelly Linton. The motion carried unanimously.
