Design for Lighthouse Park and soil testing of the area are proceeding after councillors unanimously approved the work at last Tuesday’s Sylvan Lake council meeting.
The park will be located on land the town received from Sylvan Lake Harbour Ltd., developers of WatersEdge Condominiums and Marina, in the area where the previous lighthouse stood north of Lakeshore Drive.
Ron Lebsack, the town’s director of community services, said the town received the land and a 30 metre right-of-way from Lakeshore Drive to the park, as well as $58,050 cash-in-lieu to satisfy the developer’s requirement to provide 10 per cent of the subdivision for municipal reserve.
Sylvan Lake Rotary Club is spearheading development of a new lighthouse and hopes to construct it in 2014. In order to work with those timelines, the town needs to prepare plans. The design will include access to the site via a paved trail from Lakeshore Drive, tree and shrub plantings, and amenities such as benches, garbage receptacles, etc., said Lebsack’s report to council.
“The natural access to the lake on the north-east portion of the lands may also allow for a small beach development.”
The park design process will include a public information and review process before a final draft is proposed to council.
He estimated design and soil testing would cost about $15,000 leaving the balance of the cash-in-lieu available for actual park development.
The Rotary Club will be responsible for raising money and constructing the lighthouse in conjunction with the town and will then turn it over to the town.
“Promotion and public awareness of the park development and lighthouse development will be coordinated with the Rotary Club and will work to promote the entire project as a single community project,” said Lebsack’s report.