Columbia Valley Pioneer - May 30, 2008

Invermere council opposes proposed new marina off Canterbury Point

By Alex Cooper
Pioneer Staff

The District of Invermere Council was unanimous in saying it does not support an application for a new marina at Canterbury Point.

“I think it’s absolutely wrong in terms of stewardship of the lake to allow another marina,” said councillor Bob Campsall at a council meeting on Tuesday.

The application was submitted by the Canterbury Point Community Association directly to the Integrated Land Management Bureau, a branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, on April 29th. It calls for a 20-slip marina that will project about 170 feet into Lake Windermere and cover an area of 1,661 square metres.

Council cited environmental concerns as one reason for their opposition to the proposed marina.

“I’m shocked at the amount of garbage and oil running into the lake,” said Mr. Campsall.

“That area is the worst part of Lake Windermere,” added councillor Gerry Taft. “There’s no sense in making it worse.”

Safety concerns were also noted, due to the number of boats already present on Lake Windermere.

“It’s already dangerous to wakeboard or water-ski on the lake,” said councillor Sarah Bennett. “It’s just a matter of time until someone gets hurt.”

Councillor Campsall said the District should do more than refuse to support the application, but
should say they oppose it outright.

Ms. Bennett agreed: “We need to be very strong in our opposition to new marinas on Lake
Windermere.”

Keith Wright of Calgary, president of the Canterbury Point Community Association, said in a telephone interview that the marina wouldn’t add more boats to the lake, but would consolidate the boats in the area into one space.

“Right now we have a beach with a mish-mash of boat lifts, rails and docks on it. It’s like a yard sale of equipment,” he said. “The idea is to consolidate those boats into a marina to clean up the beach.”

He added that the proposal would allow for separate swimming and boating areas.

Marg Illingworth, a resident of the area, said she supports the marina but is concerned about its location.

“I just think it should be where the water is deeper,” she said.

Council was also disappointed that the application was sent to the Integrated Land Management Bureau first and not the district.

“I’m disappointed the Canterbury Group didn’t send an application to the district first,” said councillor Ray Brydon.

Chris Prosser, Chief Administrative Officer of the District of Invermere said district staff had to get information on the application from the bureau’s website.

Mr. Wright said he had discussed the proposal with the district last year and was told to submit his application through the bureau.

The application was referred to interested groups including the District of Invermere, the Ministry of the Environment, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Navigable Waters Protection Division, and the Akisqnuk, Ktunaxa, and Shuswap First Nations.

According to the bureau’s website, the application is still under review and comments from the public and interested groups are being accepted until June 19th. After that, a land officer will review the comments and make a decision on the application.

Mr. Prosser said in his Request for Decision submitted to council on Tuesday night that existing
policy “does not deem a marina necessary at this location.”

He added that according to the Lake Windermere Management Plan, adopted by council in 2001, the placement of commercial marinas on Lake Windermere is not supported.

“Lakeshore development guidelines must be in place prior to any approval of marina applications,” he said in his report to council.

Councillor Taft also said there should be more public access to Lake Windermere. Currently, of 11 marinas on the lake, only one is available to the public.

“The lack of public access to the lake is amazing,” he said. “People come here from all over the world. Everyone has the right to some form of access.”

His comments are concurrent with the Lake Windermere Management Plan, which says: “There is clearly need for more and better public access points to Lake Windermere.”

Mr. Taft said it is up to elected offi cials in the valley to work hard to protect the lake for everyone.

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