Hamilton Harbour Fishing Derby

Werner, Plessl, Executive Directo of the Hamilton Waterfront Trust (operators fo William's Fresh Cafe) will join our meeting to discuss the upcoming Hamilton Harbour Fishing Derby planned for Saturday, August 11.  

The Hamilton Harbour Fishing Derby is a family friendly event that gives the citizens of Hamilton and the surrounding area a chance to participate in the sport of fishing. The Hamilton Waterfront Trust’s mandate is to connect families to the waterfront through activities, demonstrations and educational programs. In order to encourage participation, there will be one thousand free fishing rods available for children 12 years and under who do not have their own equipment. Prizes will be awarded to the winners who catch the longest fish in each of five categories in three different age groups.  View the Hamilton Waterfront Trust website on Monday, August 20^th for final results, after which trophies and prizes can be picked up at the Hamilton Waterfront Trust office at 47 Discovery Drive. There will also be a number of educational booths set up to educate children about water safety, environmental issues and fishing techniques.

Biography of Werner Plessl

Werner was born in the north end of Hamilton and has been a life time resident of Hamilton and Dundas. He graduated from McMaster in 1976 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree. For most of his career, Werner has had the privilege of working in the public realm on public infrastructure and recreational projects.

Following graduation and one year of graduate school, Werner was employed as Senior Engineer/Conservation Engineer at the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority from 1977 to 1989. During his tenure there, he managed many recreational construction projects such as the 50 Point Marina and Confederation Park.

From 1989 to 1991, Werner was employed by Philips Planning and Engineering as Manager of the Branch Office in Cambridge, working on numerous water management related projects.

In 1991, Werner started a 10 year career with the City of Hamilton, first as Superintendent of Park Development and Construction, and then in 1994 as Coordinator, Park Development and Maintenance, including responsibility for Hamilton’s waterfront. During this period, Pier 4 and Bayfront Parks and Hamilton’s waterfront trail were developed. 

Since October 2001 to the present, Werner has served as the Executive Director of the Hamilton Waterfront Trust. During this period over $22 million of Capital waterfront improvements have been undertaken by the HWT as well as the establishment of nine businesses which provide many waterfront amenities to the over 500,000 visitors to Pier 8 every year.