City To Consider New Design Of Sandpoint Beach

Windsor City Council will be asked to approve the final concert plan for Sandpoint Beach in East Windsor.

The popular beach has faced safety challenges in recent years due to its proximity to deep water where strong currents present drowning risks, and has taken the lives of several people over the years.

Recent incidents have prompted the City to re-evaluate the park layout to further enhance its appeal and safety and to create a new master plan that relocates the beach eastward, away from the hazardous areas, and incorporates significant improvements in park facilities and accessibility.

Extensive consultations have taken place over the past two years with stakeholder groups, including local residents, environmental agencies, and cultural heritage organizations, and have been
engaged to ensure the plan addresses diverse community needs, as well as two open houses were held.

The proposed master plan includes the construction of new amenities and facility upgrades, such as enhanced beach facilities and new recreational facilities, including an accessible playground and splash pad, an expanded wildlife area, and washroom renovations, alongside significant landscaping and accessibility improvements.

The city report that says based on the concept depicted in the Master Plan, the overall project budget is estimated to be in the range of $15 Million. There is currently $1.5 million of capital budget funding approved in principle in years 2029 and 2030 for the proposed Sandpoint Beach Master Plan in the 2024 10-year Capital Plan, resulting in an additional $13.5 million required to implement the plan.

If the city council approves the new plan on Monday, January 13th, 2025, and wishes to proceed, City Administration would need to be directed to consider additional capital funding as part of a future capital budget development process.