Dear Editor,
I want to ask this question to the people of Sylvan Lake. That being the town of Sylvan Lake. This is an election year and your last chance to act for the next four years — Do you want access to the lake?
The Town of Sylvan Lake has removed all the parking near the lake in a systematic manner. They gave permits to the marina that do not guarantee any real public access. So in my opinion the players with the keys have benefitted greatly from the actions of council and it’s quite possible Sylvan Lake access is no longer a public privilege within the town.
That brings us to the next access point and the spill over from Sylvan Lake as it went to Half Moon Bay in Red Deer County. That access point is now being blocked, but the public has one recourse left in that they can ask the provincial government to stop it.
Now me, personally, I live in the Town of Sylvan Lake and I have great memories of boating here and parking my boat along the shore near my car that was parked also along the shore and enjoying a day. In fact it was actually all summer. That is all gone now in regards to the town side of the lake.
The other thing is that I also have a farm in Lacombe County and I pay taxes in the county. Lacombe County spent several million dollars to provide an access point and they are spending another $800,000 this year. They do not charge fees. As a ratepayer I am subsidizing public access to the lake. This summer that access point will be the only free public access point. Compare that to the $50 you may have to pay to launch in town if it’s even available, plus there is no parking at the marina so everybody from the province that comes to the town will be searching up and down the streets for a place to park their 50 foot long rigs.
The town has still not dedicated a parking area as they agreed to. So I will ask this question - Do you want access to the lake? and then who should bear the burden of providing it?
I think the province should supply that access and it should be free. It was free before the town was allowed to privatize it and I think it’s time to retake the lake.
If you agree phone the premier of the province 310-0000 and then call the minister in charge 310-000 it’s your last chance for the next four years. Ask them to maintain the roads that lead to the lake as open public lands.
I try, that’s all I can do. Thank you
Lyle Dressler,
Sylvan Lake