Windsor's Sand Point Beach will remain closed this year, and potentially for several years, as the city moves forward with a $15-million master plan to redesign the shoreline and keep swimmers away from a hazardous drop-off. City council voted on Monday to proceed with site modifications outlined in the plan, which was adopted in January 2025.
Nine Lives Lost Since 1980
The water immediately west of Sand Point has claimed nine lives since the beach first opened in 1980. The popular hot-weather destination sits adjacent to a steep drop-off into the international shipping channel of the Detroit River. The danger is so severe that lifeguards are not permitted to perform rescues outside the designated swimming area, fearing they too could be pulled under.
Most drownings have occurred outside regular swimming hours or when lifeguards were not on duty. Notable incidents include the death of 15-year-old Abed Al Torkmani in May 2025, and the deaths of Yogesh Bajgai, 25, and Rohit Dheer, 22, in May 2024.
Master Plan Implementation Delayed
Despite the adoption of the master plan in January 2025, none of its recommendations have been implemented to date. Currently, the beach is surrounded by fencing and signs prohibiting swimming and warning of the closure. Ward 7 Coun. Angelo Marignani expressed optimism about the plan's future, stating, “Once we get the master plan (implemented), it becomes a gem in our waterfront. This is one of my big priorities, and it has always been.”
The master plan includes relocating the beach and swimming area further east, away from the hazardous drop-off, at a significant cost.
Residents Urge Reopening Despite Risks
Several residents urged city council to reopen the beach for swimming this summer, proposing measures such as buoys to mark safe areas, experienced lifeguards on duty, and fencing to block off dangerous zones. Sandra Stanciu argued, “We cannot protect folks from themselves and their own poor choices,” noting that hundreds have died in boating accidents on Lake Erie without calls to cancel boating. “We don’t cancel boating. We just can’t.”
Christine King, a resident of nearly 20 years, highlighted the beach's growing popularity and called for more water safety programs. “Generations of families have enjoyed hot, humid Canadian summers by cooling off in our waterways. For many years, we’ve been lucky to have this place in our backyard. I don’t want to see anyone else get hurt or lose their life. However, I believe with collaboration, we can continue to enjoy Sand Point Beach and the adjacent park as we have for many years.”
Lifesaving Society Audit
An aquatic safety audit by the Lifesaving Society, presented to council this week, determined that the city's supervised beach, with its 50-metre designated swim zone, “meets a reasonable standard of care for providing safety” during operating hours. The organization focused on preventing access to the “danger area” to the west and provided four options: reopening without barriers at low cost but high risk; permanently closing the beach at moderate cost for fencing and signage; seasonal controlled access with supervised swimming at moderate cost; or implementing the master plan at great expense.
