​Huron-Kinloss agrees new stairs along Boiler Beach are a step in the right direction

Huron-Kinloss council has agreed that all the stairways along Boiler Beach should be removed, and proper access provided to those who want to go to the beach.

Community services director Mike Fair brought a report to council at the December committee-of-the-whole meeting, outlining that the small steps and paths long Boiler Beach Road have been constructed over the past 25-50 years, by residents who live on the other side of the roadway. In recent years, there has been an influx of new, more elaborate stairs built on municipal property, also by residents who live across the road.

Due to the increased pressure of liability, and assumption of risk, staff is proposing to provide proper stair access along the steep slope sections of Boiler Beach while removing all existing stairs, stated Fair, in his report.

"Staff has reviewed the Boiler Beach geography from the 10th Concession to the Kincardine boundary," stated Fair. "There are several paths from the road to the beach from the 10th Concession to Heritage Drive with low slope, and low risk of injury. These paths are not a concern since they are low slope natural paths."

He said the concerns with installing stairs, are as follows:
 

• Boiler Beach access from north of Heritage Drive to Huronville Rd involves a steeper slope that is more difficult to navigate by walkers or people carrying beach items to their favourite beach
• Some areas have a significant drop in height, placing stairs out onto the beach which is not ideal during high-water events
• In discussion with public works, there is concern of having a public access (stairs) located at intersections along Boiler Beach Road which promotes parking in areas that should not have parking
• Removing all existing stairs along Boiler Beach Road to the lakeshore mitigates the risk and liability

Staff has reviewed the Boiler Beach Road shoreline, and proposes the following:
 

• Host a Boiler Beach access public meeting in the spring of 2026 with a map of proposed stairs, to gather feedback on the plan and explain the liability of the existing stairs. Upon budget approval, staff would also develop a maintenance policy and procedure, and signage plan, with assistance from the municipal insurance provider and feedback from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.
• Propose a timeline to remove the existing stairs. Staff is suggesting a two-year plan to remove all existing stairs and install six new galvanized steel stairs from Boiler Beach to the lower shoreline.
• Staff is proposing to remove all privately-installed stairs in 2026 and phase the installation of municipal stairs starting in 2026. Staff estimates a budget request of $50,000 per year to complete the project.
• Staff proposes that possible additional stair requests, as per municipal specifications and installed by municipal contractors, would be entertained only if funded by residents for their convenience at the discretion of municipal staff.

The project was included in the draft budget for consideration.

During discussion, Fair said the public meeting will help the township communicate the plan and get people to understand why the stairs are being removed and new ones installed.

"We understand the convenience of having a set of stairs to the beach across from your house, but this has to stop," he said. "These stairs are on municipal property."

"So, we would be removing the existing stairs in 2026?" asked councillor Larry Allison.

"Yes," said Fair. "That's the plan, to remove 10-15 significant stairs and some smaller ones. We would install three new sets of galvanized steel stairs in 2026, and the remaining three sets in 2027."

He noted there is consideration of installing a ramp instead of stairs at the bottom of Huronville Road.

Council agreed with the project which will be considered during budget talks.



Proposed stair locations along Boiler Beach Road in Huron-Kinloss Township