Special Council Meeting Summary – October 21, 2025

Norfolk County Council met on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, for a Special Council Meeting focused on the Facilities Master Plan. The meeting included a presentation from Municipal VU Consulting, public deputations, and council deliberations on the future of County-owned buildings and properties. View the meeting agenda and reports online.  

Once approved, meeting Minutes will be posted on the Council and Committee Calendar. 

Facilities Master Plan Presentation 

Municipal VU Consulting presented the final Facilities Master Plan, which outlines a strategic roadmap for managing Norfolk County’s 120+ buildings across 90 properties. Key findings included: 

• Over $560 million in facility assets 
• Over one-third of facilities in scope are in poor or very poor condition 
• $155 million needed over 10 years to maintain current conditions 
• Recommendations to divest underused assets and reinvest in priority infrastructure 

Public deputations 

Council heard from several community members regarding proposed divestments: 

• Walsingham Town Hall: Residents and members of the Port Rowan-South Walsingham Heritage Association and the Women’s Institute advocated for preserving the heritage building, citing high usage and a 99-year lease agreement. 
• Port Dover Kinsmen Hall and Scout Hut: Representatives highlighted decades of community investment and requested continued access or partnership opportunities. 

Council decisions 

Council approved the Facilities Master Plan as a strategic direction, with several amendments: 

Approved: 

• Renovations to administrative buildings 
• Continued investment in community halls 
• New fire hall in St. Williams, including community space 
• Consolidation of operations yards from six to two with satellite salt and sand 

Removed from divestment recommendations: 

• Walsingham Town Hall: Staff directed to work with community groups on lease improvements and fundraising 
• Port Dover Kinsmen Hall and Scout Hut: Staff directed to review alternatives and opportunities with these groups 
• Courtland and Schellburg Operations Yards: Staff directed to further review 
• Port Dover Public Works Yard: Staff to investigate potential community uses 

Waterford Fire and EMS: staff directed to review recommendation to expand the current hall and identify alternate sites for a new joint facility.

Next steps 

Staff will return to Council with an implementation report and reports on each asset removed from the Master Plan. 

No buildings will be sold or demolished without further Council approval.