Autumn
SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY
2014 NEWSLETTER
Published by Penny Cote – Sproat Lake Director – Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
Sproat Lake Marine Patrol wraps up another busy boating season!
This summer’s awesome weather kept the Marine Patrol very busy!
Starting in May, they visited 10 schools and educated over 700 students on the importance of safe boating. The Marine Patrol once again receives funding support from Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety for the 4th year in a row. This year awards them funding support for a 3 year term (2014 – 2016).
The Marine Patrol helps boaters launch their boats at the Provincial Park boat launch, during July and August. Some days they assisted over 170 boats! The marine patrol provided 17 jump starts and 9 tows. In addition, they provide safety assistance on the lake and shores. They mark dead heads; clean up the public beaches; test the water quality; and fill out pleasure craft courtesy checks, to boaters heading out on the water. The pleasure craft courtesy check provides boaters with a check to see whether all the required safety equipment is on board. The life jacket loaner station loaned out 80+ lifejackets this summer.
Another safe season of boating on Sproat Lake, with no major incidents is behind us. This is partially due to the keen sense of work ethic and enthusiasm from the Sproat Lake Marine Patrol.
2014 Newsletter
Sproat Lake Official Community Plan
On June 11th, 2014, the ACRD Board of Directors adopted the Sproat Lake Official Community Plan (OCP). In order to include input from property owners and residents of the Sproat Lake Electoral Area, three open houses and a public hearing were held prior to adoption. You can view the Sproat Lake OCP by visiting the ACRD website at www.acrd.bc.ca or pick up a copy at the ACRD office at 3008, Fifth Avenue, Port Alberni.
Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department
It’s Fire Prevention Week, October 5th to the 11th — help us sound the alarm that working smoke alarms save lives! Replace smoke alarm batteries. Did you know that many people don’t test their smoke alarms as often as they should? When a fire starts the smoke spreads fast. You need smoke alarms that work to give you time to get out. Test yours every month!
“Reproduced from NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week website, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2014 NFPA.”
For more information about Fire Prevention Week, the Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and/or to arrange children’s tours, call Chris Wynans at 250‐724‐5465.
New members are always welcome and in demand. Interested in joining our volunteer fire department? Contact the Recruiting Officer, Joe Lamoureux at recruitment@sproatlakefire.ca or joe@albernihometeam.com, or drop by the Lakeshore Road, Faber Road or Harold Bishop Fire Halls on any Tuesday night at 7:00 pm and ask for the hall’s Captain. Come and practice every Tuesday night from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm., as well as a few weekends a year. Along with the training, mentoring and equipment is provided.
2014 Newsletter
Results from Group Water Test held Monday August 18th, 2014
Thirty‐five water test samples revealed 9 results for E.Coli and 12 with clean for all E.Coli and Total Coliforms. NI Labs’ water sample bottles and requisition forms are continually available for individual testing at the ACRD office at 3008 Fifth Avenue, Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
It’s a popular program, offering the community the opportunity to test water filtration systems, lake sources, and wells etc. It is always advisable to treat or boil unfiltered raw lake water.
Sproat Lake Parks Commission
Cougar Smith Community Park saw the completion of the rehabilitation of the baseball field, tennis courts and bike skills park on July 5th, 2014. To celebrate, they held a barbeque picnic lunch and a baseball challenge between the Sproat Lake Fire Department and the Beaver Creek Fire Department. Many community members came by to enjoy a barbecue lunch and play in the park.
2015 plans for Cougar Smith Community Park include playground infrastructure shades and further bike skills park development. Also, received were requests for the development of pickle ball court at Cougar Smith Park.
Be sure emergency responders can find you!! Ensure your address is clearly visible!! Illumination, visibility from both directions, and clear of brush is recommended and appreciated! Example: 12345 LAKESHORE ROAD
2014 Newsletter– Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Grant
Wood stove exchange grants may become available again this winter from the ACRD. An application is being made to the Province for this grant. Newer wood stoves burn cleaner, use less wood, and produce fewer emissions.
For more information on this wood stove exchange grant, contact ACRD at 250‐720‐2700 or check online at www.acrd.bc.ca for updated information.
Acceptable air quality is everyone’s right and protecting air quality is everyone’s responsibility!
A consideration for residents who plan to replace old wharves: It is not legal to dispose of old wharves on Crown land and the Province may charge the cost of removal to the owner!! Please have old wharves disposed of in an environmentally safe and sensitive manner.
Block Watch Program
The first Block Watch Program kicked off on August 17th, 2014 at Faber Park on Dickson Drive with the inaugural Block Watch meeting and a community picnic. The Faber Community Park wharf replacement is now in place with a smaller float and the donated aluminum walkway, pilings and materials. Many thanks to those who kindly donated to the replacement of this community asset and those neighbours volunteering for the Block Watch Program!
Information on Block Watch Program Overview,
How to Run a Block Watch,
Responsibilities,
Mapping,
Program Dynamics,
Safer Communities with Property Identification and Home security
Tips and much more, please contact Penny at 250‐ 724‐5040
Faber Road and Lakeshore Road Trails
Work and expansion is scheduled for 2015.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the SL Parks Commission, please call Joe Lamoureux, SL Parks Chair, at 250‐723‐3001 or 250‐724‐4663 or email joe@albernihometeam.com.
Sproat Lake Road Committee
Please address specific road concerns to Joe Van Bergen (SL Roads Committee) at 250‐723‐6159 or joev12@shaw.ca.
It is the SL Road Committee’s mandate to work with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and property owners. The plan is to develop a trail system for the community to allow for safe pedestrian passage. The narrow bridge over Weiner Creek (near Sproat Lake Landing) is an issue, as it offers no safe passage for pedestrians.
Check www.drivebc.ca for up to date road conditions. For Emcon Road Services, call 250‐724‐ 6996 or Emcon’s 24 Hour Emergency Number at 1‐ 866‐353‐3136.
AV Community Forest (AVCF)
AVCF is realizing and celebrating great success in 2014. The 5‐year plan is complete and Sproat Lake resident Chris Law is the new AVCF Manager. The AVCF paid back the City of Port Alberni for their start‐up grant and made profits up to $350,000, which will be granted to eligible Alberni Valley community projects, determined by the AVCF Legacy Committee. To get more info, check out the community forest website at www.communityforest.ca or contact Chris Law by email at manager@communityforest.ca or by phone at 250‐ 731‐7377.
www.SLCAmembership.ca is launched and provides community news and information on issues for Sproat Lake and surrounding areas. Check out the new site, like us on facebook and sign up for the latest news releases. Sproat Lake Community Association continues to keep the community informed and connected on issues that matter.
Thank you to all the volunteers and residents that care and make this a wonderful community to live in!
For more information call Penny at (250) 724‐5040 or email coteart@shaw.ca
“CLEAN BEACHES, CLEAN WATER”
Sproat Lake Beach Clean‐Up Sunday October 5th, 2014
WEATHER PERMITTING!
Sproat Lake Community Association is calling for VOLUNTEERS to help clean up targeted Crown land beaches along Stirling Arm and Two Rivers Arm.
Remember to bring your work/rubber boots, shovels and/or rakes, gloves and appropriate clothing. SLCA will provide garbage bags, maps, water and BBQ lunch.
Start time is at 9:00 am at the Sproat Lake Provincial Park (for those coming from that area). We will meet up with the pile driver on the lake that is to head down Two Rivers Arm, to assist and transfer the garbage to trucks to the AV Landfill and Recycling Depot. Please call 250‐724‐5040 or 250‐724‐0784 for more info or if you want to volunteer but need to arrange for boat transportation.
Thank you to those community heroes already doing beach cleanup on your own!