Dear Editor:
With spring here and summer approaching, our thoughts return to the lake we love as summer residents.
What do we do when we arrive at the lake Friday? We drive down Lakeshore just to look at the beautiful lake.
But, no more can we arrive at the lake, pull on swimsuits and go down to the beach for a swim as we have done with our kids and grandkids, because there is no beach or safe access to the lake along Lakeshore.
Families always loved Sylvan because children could play in the sand and go out safely in the water.
Our next option was to go to the marina where we kept our boat for many years. This gave access to fishing, water skiing, tubing, swimming, etc. Now affordable, convenient boating options are disappearing for us.
We’ve been fortunate to travel, but never have we seen attractions (and world famous attractions) with views obstructed by public washrooms or the likes of the speed bumps on Lakeshore.
We have however, seen traffic circles work well for traffic flow worldwide. These are now done deals that we all have to live with for some time.
Sylvan Lake has been our family destination of choice for 40 plus years and my childhood memories go back to 1952; certainly nostalgia plays a part in missing much of the charm that is gone.
As summer residents, we come for the lake. We read “Viewpoints”; we nod and smile in agreement with like-minded individuals and as one “grandma” wrote, Sylvan is indeed a memory keeper for all users whatever day you spend there.
This isn’t our sad story because we feel fortunate to have all our experiences.
If my memory serves me correctly, the town wanted the Varsity Hall gone to promote a more family-friendly community. We also read that the Hwy. 20 speed limit is to be reduced … hopefully speed bumps and advertising for “escort services” along that route won’t be necessary to accomplish that.
Marion Harwood,
Calgary