From hot tubs to water taxis, city eyes new life for Hamilton’s waterfront

Hamilton’s waterfront could soon be heating up in a whole new way. City staff are floating ideas that would transform West Harbour into a year-round destination.

Around this time next year, Hamiltonians could swap winter hibernation for a soak at the West Harbour, perhaps relaxing in a floating hot tub or sauna.

You could also catch a ride on a water taxi or go overboard with friends on a floating tiki-themed tour and bar.

These ideas are in a city staff report presented Friday to Hamilton’s harbour development, all aimed at buoying up Hamilton’s waterfront as a tourist destination.

“It directly speaks to a recommendation in the strategy to make a concentrated effort to look at creating a destination at the waterfront,” said Lisa Abbott, Hamilton’s director of tourism and culture.

A waterfront that some say is underutilized.

“The question is, how do you get the most out of what we have,” said Hamilton resident Andrea Armstrong.

READ MORE: Tiki boat tours at Bayfront? Hamilton considering new waterfront tourism attractions

Under the city’s 2024 to 2028 tourism strategy, Hamilton plans to dive into more recreational and leisure water-based activities by spring or summer next year.

“It could bring people down here, bring more of a sense of community,” said Hamilton resident Tim Barlow.

Staff sent out a request for information and the responses have been making a splash with potential operators coming back with proposals for other activities such as boat tours, canoe or kayak rentals or a port of call concept for Pier 8 – an idea that gathered mixed reaction from some residents.

“It would bring other people into the city, maybe show it off a bit and give people a good idea of what goes on down here,” said Barlow.

“You have to have infrastructure, you have to have planning, you have to have ways to get them to places that aren’t exactly at the waterfront because you’re just gonna be overwhelmed in the local area,” said Armstrong.

City staff say they’ve done extensive consultation, ensuring these attractions complement the waterfront and keep it accessible for everyone.

With a fully accessible waterfront anchored between Toronto and Niagara, Hamilton could soon be riding a new wave of tourism if the proposals stay afloat.

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