Dear Editor,
Re: More important priorities than creation of man-made beach, Dale Mannix, July 25.
Just a note of support for the opinions expressed by Mr. Mannix. He has presented the opinions of many and, as a summer resident taxpayer, I concur with everything stated.
Council has to get on side with the Sylvan Lake citizenry and concentrate on the only action, lowering the lake, that will salvage what has become a costly and very embarrassing situation.
Sylvan Lake, as a resort town, is dying. I see this every time I travel Lakeshore Drive past the two motels that have not posted their No Vacancy sign even once all summer. I see this as I approach one of my favourite haunts, Sylvan Lake Golf & Country Club, where play is down because, as a resort with a great beach, Sylvan Lake no longer has this as an attraction.
Dredging sand to form a beach has been tried. While the effort did produce a great beach, it only lasted until a few strong nor-westers washed the sand back into the lake. You cannot replace the best beach in Alberta artificially.
It is interesting to note that the delegation from 35th Street now realize that the placement of boulders to stop erosion has blocked access and curtailed use of this area.
I noted, when swimming last week out from 37th Street, that I was the only person enjoying a late afternoon dip from lake front bounded by 40th Street to the east end of Lakeshore Drive. This was a beautiful day with excellent water temperature.
It is time council, that you stopped grasping at straws looking for quick-fix solutions while spending our tax money. Stop embarrassing yourselves and the town and deal with the current issue.
Concentrate your efforts and work with the local citizenry to return the beautiful beach by taking the lead with this issue and insist that whomever is holding up progress toward the only solution cease and desist.
You can’t wait one year, let alone five, as was suggested. If you do, tumbleweeds, denoting a ghost town, will be blowing down Lakeshore Drive as well as main street.
Arnie Enger, summer resident,
Sylvan Lake