Peameal on a bun and fresh cut fries are on the menu for ice fishermen, snowmobilers and others enjoying Tudhope Park this winter.
This week, city councillors gave the green light to Ron McPhee to operate The Patti Wagon at Tudhope Park throughout the winter. The decision requires ratification at Monday night’s council meeting.
McPhee, a long-time summer vendor at the busy Orillia park, asked council for permission to operate year-round.
The Patti Wagon and Sweet Dreams Ice Cream typically operate from April 15 to October 15. They pay $2,917 (plus HST) to set up during those busy summer months.
McPhee said he will bear the extra costs of operating - including winterizing the water/wastewater supply and removing snow around the refreshment area.
He will also pay an additional rental fee of $2,756 (plus HST) to operate during the winter.
Not everyone on council, however, was in favour of the idea.
Coun. Ralph Cipolla did not support the concept, saying he was concerned about the impact on Bayside Restaurant, which operates inside the Barnfield Point Recreation Centre at the park.
“In the winter time, it’s tough enough to make ends meet in the restaurant business,” said Cipolla. “Between snow removal and everything else … it’s going to create a problem.”
Coun. Tim Lauer said he’s not in favour of the “wild west” approach and said the park’s masterplan should have addressed the issue.
“I definitely would be (in favour) if we had more of an organized plan,” said Lauer, who also raised concerns about the appearance of some food trucks. “I think we have a lot of money invested in Tudhope Park and the first thing you see is a couple of vendors ...I just don’t think that does anything for the look of the park."
“I’m not opposed for people having an opportunity to be in business in the park, but I think it needs to be more organized,” Lauer said.
Shawn Crawford, the city's manager of legislative services, noted the RFP process used to select vendors includes stringent guidelines about the appearance of the units allowed into the park.
Coun. Mason Ainsworth applauded McPhee for his foresight, noting the city’s ambitious new waterfront plan calls for year-round food vendors at local parks.
“I think we should say yes and ask what we can do to help,” said Ainsworth.
“I don’t think it’s fair to speak for (Bayside Restaurant). That’s for them to say,” he said.
“Are you going to say to another business that wants to open a restaurant in the downtown, say ‘Sorry we have too many restaurants in the downtown already ... we are not going to allow you to open up or extend your hours?’
“I just think those things are a little bit ridiculous,” he said.
Coun. Rob Kloostra agreed.
“Tudhope Park does get quite busy with snowmobilers, ice fishermen and the like. Good for them to get the ball rolling. This might encourage others to operate in shoulder season as well,” he said.
Ultimately, the majority of council voted in favour of the idea.
