The door is open – a sliver – to there ever being a public boat launch on Bob Lake once again.
In the spring of 2016, after decades of uninterrupted use, the only public boat launch on the land-locked lake was barricaded. While advertised as a public launch, and maintained by the township, it turned out the launch was located on private land. The owner wanted to sell and decided to block access, citing liability concerns.
It resulted in the formation of the Bob Lake Association, which has been trying to get a new launch ever since.
Minden Hills CAO Cynthia Fletcher told a March 13 council meeting that at the Bob Lake Association’s request, she and clerk, Vicki Bull, met with members to hear their latest ask.
Fletcher said, “the representatives were very clear on their current position, that the township expropriate land from the private property owner [on Claude Brown Road] to affect a recreational boat launch.”
The municipality sought a legal opinion, and “the township’s legal counsel has characterized expropriation as an ‘extraordinary power’ that should rarely be used,” Fletcher said, adding it’s “fraught with risks, liabilities, and significant costs. The action would bring tremendous reputational, financial and resource risk to the township and council.”
Coun. Shirley Johannessen commented on the nine-year-old file.
“Just this last summer, I was asked ‘what is happening with our boat launch’? I wouldn’t be doing my job as a councillor if I did not speak on the matter and be a voice for Bob Lake.”
She said a public boat launch wouldn’t just be for Bob Lake residents, but the Ministry of Natural Resources, Parks Canada, the police and first responders, and commercial users, delivering new docks and other materials.
However, Fletcher and mayor Bob Carter said MNRF, Parks Canada, police and fire have no issues accessing the lake.
Johannessen then said nothing in the report spoke to other options, including negotiating with the property owner. ‘Bob Lake Association residents believe that the Township of Minden Hills has been opposed to every possible solution.” She said they needed to keep the door open.
Coun. Tammy McKelvey asked if the township had ever sent correspondence to the owner of the property where the original public boat launch was to see if they were willing to sell, or enter into an agreement.
Bull said there had been emails in the past, but the owner decided not to pursue an arrangement.
McKelvey said she did not support expropriation but wanted council to contact the present owner of the former dam site boat launch to see if they were willing to negotiate.
Bull said staff were happy to contact the property owner and bring back an update to council at a future meeting.
Carter said if the answer is no, “we stop this…we are spending far too much time and money on this. We have other things that have to be done in the township.”
Volunteer appreciation
Minden Hills has decided it will give out six volunteer awards on an annual basis.
Bull said in the past, awards have included: The Good Neighbour Award, for showing initiative through spontaneous, unheralded actions towards another, or others; the Ross Rigney Award, for civic contribution by a youth; The Gordon A. Monk Award for volunteerism; the arts and culture award; sports and recreation award; and Trillium Award, for horticultural efforts.
Bull said advertising would commence in November, with a deadline in March, and awards in April during volunteer appreciation week. Council will also give out a senior of the year award.
