Proposal for partnership for Picton and Wellington marinas

Watching fishing derby action at Picton Harbour. – File photo

Council will consider a proposal to lease the operations of the Picton and Wellington marinas for five-years when members meet virtually Tuesday night.

CJ Thompson was the lone proposal responding to the municipality’s call for expression of interest. Thompson, through his company Tenacity Capital, proposes to continue services currently provided, and expand through a public private partnership arrangement.

He seeks a five-year lease at $1 per year and will continue paying the Ministry of Natural Resources the current annual submission of 10 per cent of revenues. The proposal seeks rezoning of the Picton marina to ‘tourism commercial’ and the municipality would maintain garbage removal.

Thompson suggests stabilizing hours of operation, hiring full-time staff, and an expansion of services along with capital improvements to upgrade safety features and increase the number of transient docks to 70 or more. A U.S. Port of Entry is proposed on property owned by Tenacity Capital adjacent to the marina at Picton.

Outsourcing the operation of the harbours eliminates on-going annual deficits that ranged from $21,000 to $88,000 over the past four years. This years was projected to be $15,915.

“Improving the marinas and waterfront creates connectivity; connectivity to commerce with new jobs, connectivity to community through enhanced public access, and a strong personal connection to my past,” said Thompson in his proposal. “In the chilly winter months, Picton harbour was the place that I could always count on for a game of pickup with my friends, it was a place of community. When I look out there today, I do not see that same sense of place. I want this property to be that place for our community.”

As an investor in the previous ownership group for PEC Innovation Centre/Tip of the Bay Motel) Thompson was responsible for the management of the existing marina operations. In July 2019, he acquired the property and marina through his holding company.