Barry Wade Design

05/01/2026

Redevelopment of the former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital lands is moving quickly, and with it comes the difficult but realistic conclusion that most of the existing buildings cannot be saved. Their age, layout, and condition make restoration financially and functionally impractical.

But losing everything from the site’s past would be a mistake.
There is an opportunity — a small, strategic one — to preserve a single structure, highlighted in the attached rendering. Saving this one building would anchor the entire redevelopment in its history. It would acknowledge what this property once was, while giving it a new purpose that serves the community today.

Repurposing the building as a community event centre transforms it from a relic into a civic asset. Positioned between parkland on the east and west sides and connected to the wetland system, it becomes the natural hub of the new neighbourhood — a gathering place, a cultural anchor, and a reminder that progress doesn’t require erasing the past.

This could be the heart of Central Elgin’s Central Park:
A unified green corridor, a community hub, and a preserved piece of local heritage all working together to define the character of the development.

It’s never too late to save your history.
But once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

04/15/2026

03/15/2026

The passion people have for the Port Burwell Lighthouse shows how important it is to our community. What many people don’t realize is that tourism, waterfront revitalization, and cultural heritage tourism are identified as strategic priorities in the Elgin County Official Plan. If Port Burwell is clearly recognized as a tourism destination in Bayham’s Official Plan, it strengthens our ability to secure heritage, tourism, and waterfront revitalization grants — including funding that could help protect the lighthouse. If you care about saving the lighthouse, please consider taking a minute to help:

👉 Learn more in this Port Burwell Village Association post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CSU3Xm1mm/

Planning policy matters more than most people realize.

Port Burwell needs your voice.

Elgin County’s new Official Plan identifies tourism as a major economic driver and strategic priority — and Port Burwell is one of the County’s most important tourism communities.

At the March 5 Statutory Public Meeting for Bayham’s Official Plan Review, a major gap was identified: the draft plan does not recognize Port Burwell as a tourism destination, even though the County’s Official Plan clearly does.

We all know what Port Burwell offers:
- Blue Flag Beach
- Port Burwell Provincial Park
- HMCS Ojibwa
- Lighthouse and Marine Museum
- A working harbour
- A vibrant waterfront

These are regional and provincial tourism assets, and our Official Plan should reflect that.

A follow‑up submission has now been sent to the Municipality. If you agree that Port Burwell deserves proper recognition and support, please send a short email to:

[email protected]

Ask the Municipality to identify Port Burwell as a tourism node and to include a proper tourism and waterfront policy framework in the Official Plan.

For anyone who wants a quick copy‑and‑paste email template, I’ve added one in the comments below. Please also share this post so more residents can add their voice. The more people who speak up, the harder it is to overlook Port Burwell’s importance.

Thank you for supporting our community.

03/06/2026

A series of design concepts will be posted throughout the year giving some insight on planning and future parking solutions for the next 40 years in Port Burwell. A final planning report will be submitted to Council for their consideration.

03/02/2026

To the residents of Bayham and Port Burwell

The choices we make today will shape the village our children and grandchildren inherit, and that’s why every voice in this community matters.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing concept drawings, not as finished ideas, but as conversation starters. They’re meant to spark imagination, invite questions, and open the door to real community involvement. With no public engagement requested so far by council or staff, it’s up to us to begin the conversation ourselves.

A Main Street Master Plan isn’t just a technical document. It’s a chance to decide what kind of village we want to walk through, gather in, and be proud of. With storm sewer replacement approaching, we have a rare moment to rethink Main Street, its sidewalks, curbs, crossings, public spaces, and the feeling it gives to residents and visitors alike. These decisions will last for decades. They deserve care, thought, and the wisdom of the people who live here.

The next council will need to hear from the community in a way that hasn’t always happened before. Our strength has always come from working together, sharing ideas, and looking out for one another. If we take the time now to get informed, get organized, and speak up, we can build a Main Street—and a future—that reflects the best of who we are.

Let’s shape a vibrant, safe, and welcoming Port Burwell together.

Barry Wade

01/25/2026

Are pavilions the best choice for our Hamlets?

Council has approved a $100,000 pavilion for Eden, and other smaller hamlets within Bayham with population bases of less than 300 people.
Before this moves forward, we need to ask an honest question:

Is this the best use of our tax dollars?

A pavilion sounds nice, but in a secluded park with low daily use, it risks becoming a very expensive structure that sits empty most of the year. And it doesn’t stop at the upfront cost, as there are long‑term maintenance, repairs, and vandalism risks that add up over time.

Meanwhile, the same $100,000 could create far more value for residents:

* Shade trees and seating
* A walking loop
* Naturalized areas and pollinator gardens
* Local art or sculpture installations
* Solar lighting
* A flexible event green for community gatherings
* A grassed area for field events
* Reading gardens
* Bird houses
* Playground equipment already existing

These improvements would be used every day, not just a few times a year.

This isn’t about opposing amenities—it’s about choosing the right amenities for a small community and making sure our investments actually match our needs.

If we want a park that attracts people, supports events, and reflects our identity, there are smarter, more impactful ways to spend $100,000.

Let’s make sure we get this right

01/24/2026

Many residents have chosen Port Burwell for the peace and character of a small lakeside village. We’re fortunate to enjoy both a well‑maintained public beach and kilometres of natural shoreline protected within Port Burwell Provincial Park.

Our responsibility as residents is to ensure that Bayham grows, in a way that preserves the qualities residents value most.

Responsible growth means holding development to clear, fair standards. When new projects come forward, they must contribute to the public good, whether through improved waterfront access, expanded trails, added parkland, or support for environmental stewardship. Growth should enhance our community, not place new burdens on it.

We also need to restore the Port Burwell boardwalk which is the final connection between the Port Burwell and the Provincial Park. By working together Department of Fisheries and the Provincial Park we can enhance our shoreline, strengthen tourism, and maintain the natural assets that make Port Burwell unique.

A healthier waterfront supports a healthier downtown. And when our downtown thrives, residents benefit from more services, more amenities, and a stronger local economy.

We should welcome development, but we must evaluate it carefully. Our job is to ensure every proposal aligns with the long‑term interests of Bayham and Port Burwell.

That’s how we protect our village character while planning responsibly for the future.

01/23/2026

01/18/2026

What if Bayham council chose differently?

Back in 2015 and up until 2021, studies and 2,000 residents supported keeping the Vienna Community Centre as our main and only hall.
It had better infrastructure, full services, room for growth, housing, and was closer to the majority of the population.

Council ignored the evidence and proceeded to spend $2M on the Straffordville Community Center instead.
Now in 2026, council is adding an additional $4M for a kitchen addition, bringing the SCC total to $6M.

Residents can’t help noticing:
$6M is the same amount as the Ojibwa loan guarantee.
Coincidence or not, the optics matter.

This is what happens when councils override studies and public interest rather than their own.