The closure of the Victoria Beach was on the agenda at a Special Council Meeting tonight (June 1) in Cobourg.
It’s become a hot topic around town and Northumberland as a whole – After an almost 3-hour meeting, a recorded vote was held with all in favour to close the beach, until August 31st.
Many presentation were made and the discussion included opinions of it not being a case of closing the beach but more a case of discussing the best way to keep outsiders away and keep it open only for local residents, all in an effort to limit the exposure to COVID-19.
But how can that be done?
One suggestion of permits came from a Cobourg resident, who lives close to Victoria Park. Anne-Marie Bouthillette included this in her comments at council.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit mentioned that current research suggests that transmission of the virus is not made through water.
A Petition circulated the area last week from the Cobourg Taxpayers Association (CTA) to keep the beach closed. 1662 signed the petition and 82 percent, or 1370, were Cobourg residents. 1611 came from those that live in Northumberland. The petition launched online last week on May 25th. Dennis Nabieszko of the CTA had these comments at council.
Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraff mentioned how the beach would be monitored if it was fenced.
Town of Cobourg staff plan to have fencing in place by this weekend (June 5,6,7) and pending MTO approval, signs along the 401 about the beach closure. There will also be signs about the closure added to roadways as you come into Cobourg and more signs surrounding the beach.
For now, while the beach is closed, council will continue their conversation on all the topics brought forward during the special council meeting this evening.
