kingston to review ways to waive fees for st. lawrence ii
kingston city staff are to review how other marinas approach dockage fees for vessels that provide educational programming.
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the brigantine st. lawrence ii sails past breakwater park in kingston, ont. in 2021.
elliot ferguson
/
the whig-standard
kingston — the city is to look for ways to reduce or eliminate dockage fees for the st. lawrence ii and other educational vessels.
council voted tuesday night to direct staff to look at how other canadian marinas charge — or, rather, don’t charge — dockage fees vessels that provide educational or cultural programs.
portsmouth dist. coun. don amos, who put forward the motion, said the st. lawrence ii provides valuable historic and educational services to the city and should be supported.
“if you think of the 1800s, our waterfront was plastered with these type of ships and now we don’t have that,” amos said. “we don’t have this type of ship coming into our ports very often and this is a tourism opportunity for us. this is an opportunity for, people to come out onto the dock, jump on the boat, see what a tall ship is about and it’s done for free.
“this is an opportunity for us to really lean into our tall ship experience here in kingston,” amos said. “this is an opportunity for us to really bring something forward where the public can enjoy it and kingston can take pride in it.”
chris chafe, executive director of tall ships expeditions canada, told council that other marinas the ship has visited, including thunder bay, st. john’s, new york city, halifax and lunenburg, did not charge dockage fees.
christmas lights hang from the rigging of the st. lawrence ii docked at portsmouth olympic harbour in kingston, ont. in 2020.
elliot ferguson
/
the whig-standard
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“we make no requests for funding and are constantly busy shoring up the city’s foundation by equipping youth with the tools and experience that lead to prosperity,” chafe said.
“we provide, at no cost, often including travel, a program that delivers developmental experiences for youth from late june snowball fights on the coast of labrador to the bright lights, vibrancy, and culture of new york city, we use the scholarship expeditions to inspire youth to set a course for lifelong success.
“our program inspires youth to pursue lifelong success, reduces the risk of youth homelessness, and diverts youth away from the criminal justice system by fostering family and social connections.”
chafe also noted that during its tours away from kingston, the st. lawrence ii acts as a tourism advertisement for the city.
the educational programs also serve as a training incubator for marine sector workers and professionals.
the lake isn’t just a pretty backdrop,” he said. “it isn’t just a racetrack for wealthy sailors, nor is it a fishing pond for the well-to do. the lake is the biggest public space we have and should be available to everyone.”
city staff will report back to council by the middle of next year with their recommendations.
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elferguson@postmedia.com
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