After facing the very real possibility that the Snow Lake Beach Enhancement Committee (SLBEC) could fold, their secretary recently put forth a last ditch plea for new membership. With that ultimatum in the balance, it appears the group may have finally attained the bodies required to put their ambitious plans into action.
The SLBEC held a well-attended meeting in the Town of Snow Lake’s council chambers on the evening of April 18. An overview of the project to date and a number of other objectives were on the table for discussion.
“My cry for help worked, as there were barely enough chairs at the meeting, with 15 of us there, along with a couple of new members who have committed, but could not make the meeting,” said the committee’s secretary, Jill Arpin. “Due to so many new members, the meeting was mostly just a recap of what has happened… so we were all on the same page.”
One major decision made at the gathering was to decline a Canada 150 grant, as the group would have to commit all the money they have to secure matching funds from the grant, and that money could only be earmarked for things such as fill and a new dock, “all things which we have agreed are for the town to take care of, not us,” said Arpin. “We are in a much better position financially just keeping what we have made so far, which is $39,719 ($60,000 short of their initial goal of $100,000) and concentrating on the splash pad solely for now.”
One large issue facing the group is a $10,000 donation from Cornerview, which had a stipulation that it be put toward a splash park prior to June 18, 2016.
So that the deadline is met, the committee decided to buy several small features for the park and install them at a later date. Arpin is looking to have the project complete before Snow Lake’s 70th anniversary celebration, which will be held the July long weekend 2017.
“We would like to get the land levelled by the [current] water mushroom and piped in for all the planned features, as well as have the concrete poured this summer – we hope to have everything installed before the 70th,” Arpin explained. “Of course things don’t come cheap… especially things like concrete, so the majority of our money will go towards that, and raising more money is a huge focus for us right now.”
With new members come new ideas of how to increase the SLBEC’s funds. This meeting put several in motion. The SLBEC will hold a Father’s Day raffle with some significant prizes donated both locally and from area businesses. “We will draw the winners at the conclusion of the MMF Fishing Derby, which will be held on Sunday, June 19 at the beach,” noted Arpin.
During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the group is holding several hockey pools at the Snow Lake Motor Inn and will have a barbecue at Cornerview store, while selling their Father’s Day raffle tickets.
A walking derby that was held during the Winter Whoot was so successful the group plans to hold another now that the weather is more conducive.
In addition to a fundraising presence during the Canada Day celebration, the SLBEC will hold two further raffles, one in summer and another in winter, and offer up framed photos of the beach area as prizes.
An interesting suggestion that gained traction at the meeting has seen the group set up a Go Fund Me account, allowing expat Snow Lakers to help out with the cause.
Arpin confides that getting a land survey done – that all work hinges upon – remains a huge issue that the SLBEC is working diligently to overcome before beginning physical work.
“We never realized this would be so difficult to get done, it has been a huge cloud over our head for a year now,” she said. The group hopes to secure the survey within the coming month or so.
Nevertheless, residents will see work by the town begin as soon as the frost leaves the ground. They will remove and replace the culvert that runs through the centre of the beach, put in a new swing set, purchase and install new volleyball and tennis nets, sift the larger stones from beach sand, and acquire new quotes on a dock.
The Beach Enhancement Committee’s next meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on Monday, May 16 in the council chambers. Arpin hopes the group continues to generate interest and those who were at the last gathering, as well as new members, show up for it. “With so many more minds and hands, all of our hopes of enhancing the beach are actually attainable,” she said.
My Take on Snow Lake is published Fridays.
