Townsite Newsletter 2013
© Parks Canada
It was another great year in the Park. The season started early and ran well into the fall. If we recorded the success of the Park solely on smiles and laughter it was a record year! But we are never content to simply sit back and let the sun shine, we were out making some hay again this year.
Working together with our community we accomplished many significant objectives during 2012. On the environmental front we continued to make gains in the water quality for Clear Lake, we operated the new wastewater treatment facility for a second full year achieving our targets for nutrient reductions, we continued clean up of minor environmental hot spots and we developed some new guidelines for development to mitigate environmental impacts. These important steps will continue to improve the stewardship of our aquatic jewel, Clear Lake and our park overall.
We worked with the Clear Lake Cabin Association throughout 2012 to facilitate the conversion of their annual camping permits to long term leases ensuring this unique area becomes a permanent neighbourhood in our community. This coming fall and winter we will be completing the installation of water and sewer service to individual cabin lots with cabin connections beginning in the spring of 2014. This has been a long process and we are thrilled to see the cabin community reaching parity on season and service with the rest of the Townsite.
We enjoyed the opening of a few new businesses and the expansion of some existing favorites. Under the Tree featuring souvenirs with a festive season flavour, Beavertails serving up ‘Canadian’ flat pastries, the new Busk Stops provided light and enjoyable entertainment throughout the community and the Superintendent’s Residence, the historic home at the east end of the lake was completely refurbished and opened as a rental accommodation. A few businesses saw new owner/managers and there are a few more ahead in 2013 including the development of a mini golf course as part of the tennis concession, some ‘secret’ (Which means I don’t know what they are yet!) changes to the Laundromat and the opening of the new chalets at the Clear Lake Lodge. I wish all the businesses well in this and the years ahead.
The Park worked on a number of infrastructure projects this past year. Our largest was the redevelopment of the KM 49 section of Highway #10. We took out the curve on this section to resolve the ongoing ‘slumping’ problem and improve safety. We also installed a ‘fishway’ bypass by the dam at the Whirlpool campground to allow fish to migrate into the lake. Spring is the best time to visit this site to watch the fish ‘run’. If you have friends and family coming to visit we encourage you to consider the new oTENTik tents in the Wasagaming Campground. These new camping facilities are an updated model of a prospector’s tent. Complete with furnishing and private sleeping areas for 6 adults or unlimited children they are worth the experience. This spring we will be completing a top to bottom restoration of the Jamboree Hall in the Old Campground. This heritage facility holds many memories from events gone by and we are pleased to be able to restore it to pristine condition to help continue to create those special times.
This year we will be installing a new series of walkways into the Ominik Marsh walkway. If you haven’t taken this trail for a few years we encourage you to pay a visit. We will be installing a pedestrian crosswalk near the entrance to the Elkhorn Resort across Highway #10. This crosswalk is planned to help community visitors access the Onanole Trail system enhancing opportunities for exploration in and around the community. Looking ahead to the 2013 season we anticipate continued progress in the evolution of our community.
Come on out to enjoy Friend’s of Riding Mountain’s Busking Program, a few of the 500 kms of trails throughout the park, our special events throughout the summer, explore history at the Pinewood Museum, nature at the Visitor Centre and the beach and businesses in our vibrant commercial centre. We look forward to another great season with you. This newsletter presents topics of interest to residents and visitors to Wasagaming. If you have questions or would like additional information please feel free to call or write.
Dale Wallis, Townsite and Realty Manager