The Bluewater Lands project includes the design and construction of a new neighbourhood community park for residents of Saugeen Shores, integrated with an affordable and attainable housing development.

In October 2025, Saugeen Shores Council approved a consortium led by Tim Welch Consulting Inc. as the successful proponent to design and construct a 183-unit affordable housing development, alongside a new municipal park.

Potential park amenities are currently in the early conceptual phase, and are expected to be refined through design and community input.

The proposed development includes a mix of low-rise apartments, stacked townhomes, and townhomes intended to expand housing options for moderate- and low-income households and help address local housing needs.

Together, the housing and park components support the Town’s broader objectives of meeting the recreational needs of a growing community while diversifying and strengthening the local housing supply.

A high-level park plan has been developed to establish the long-term vision and overall spatial layout for the new municipal park within the Affordable Housing and Municipal Park Development at Bluewater Lands.

The Town looks to ensure that the new municipal park reflects the needs of the Saugeen Shores community and those of the future housing development.

The Park Concept Seeks to:

• Include initial community consultation, with additional engagement to follow at a later stage
• Articulate a vision for the future municipal park within the Affordable Housing and Municipal Park Project Development at Bluewater Lands
• Assess needs and interest for park design and amenities and provide guidance for how these elements should be delivered
• Develop a preliminary park implementation strategy, including costing, to support financial planning and decision-making

Guiding Principles

The core principles listed below serve as a framework for the park master plan, ensuring design choices align with the project’s overall vision:

• Ensure Barrier-Free Access
• Promote Safety Through Design
• Support Four-Season Use
• Meet Municipal Standards
• Reflect Community Character
• Incorporate the Existing Windbreak

Below are three Preliminary Park Concepts for public consideration. For more detailed descriptions of each concept, please view the Concept Plans document.

Please review the concepts by clicking the dots below to view the different amenities in each concept. Following your review, please complete the Community Park Survey in the Join the Conversation section of this page.

We invite you to participate and share your feedback in the following ways:

• Review the Concept Plans document for preliminary park concepts.
• Attend the Public Input Meeting (May 28 from 6-8pm at the Plex, Rotary Hall): This is your opportunity to review the concepts in person, speak with the project team, and share your priorities for the new municipal park.
• Participate in the Online Park Survey below: Please complete our online park survey to provide feedback on the preliminary park concepts.

The Bluewater Lands housing component is envisioned as a walkable, integrated residential community connected to the surrounding parkland. The development proposal consists of stacked townhomes, townhomes, and low-rise apartment buildings intended to provide a range of housing options within Saugeen Shores.

The proposed housing mix is designed to respond to identified local housing needs, including young families, seniors, working professionals, residents living with accessibility needs, and those looking to downsize or live independently.

Accessibility considerations have been integrated throughout the development rather than concentrated within a single building type or area. Accessible units are to be distributed across the lands, supported by barrier-free common areas and accessible pedestrian connections to help ensure the community is functional and inclusive for seniors and persons living with disabilities. and a meaningful share of accessible dwellings throughout.

The architectural approach is intended to align with the Town of Saugeen Shores’ urban design objectives and established community character. Locations and built-form of proposed buildings have specifically been oriented and organized in a manner intended to minimize visual impacts on adjacent properties while maintaining appropriate pedestrian connections and open space relationships.

The project is proposed to operate under a non-profit cooperative housing model, where residents become members with participation in governance and community decision-making processes. This ownership and operational structure is intended to support long-term housing stability, transparent operating practices, and community-oriented management over the long term.

What is Affordable Housing?

In Canada, housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30% of a household’s before-tax income. Many people think the term “affordable housing” refers only to rental housing that is subsidized by the government. In reality, it’s a very broad term that can include housing provided by the private, public and non-profit sectors. It also includes all forms of housing tenure : rental, ownership and co-operative ownership, as well as temporary and permanent housing.