By Spencer Sterritt

Divide grows in Candle Lake around marina construction

Jun 11, 2016 | 9:03 AM

If the turnout at Candle Lake’s most recent city council is any indication, a rift is growing wider in the community.

More than 100 people filled the Candle Lake Recreation Centre Friday, June 10 to raise their concerns or support for the construction of a new marina in the Nobles Point Bay area.

“I’m totally opposed to any development in the area because of the environmental impact,” concerned citizen Carol Cherkewich said. “There’s all sorts of wildlife that live in that area and [a marina] displaces all the animals there already.”

Marina construction has been a contentious issue for Candle Lake over the years. In 2014, a petition demanding a referendum on construction gained over 600 signatures. During the hearing, many speakers accused city council of ignoring the petition and the desire of the Candle Lake taxpayers.

“The council chose to ignore the (2014) petitions saying they were illegal,” Cherkewich said. “Our position, is legal or not, 600 people took the time to sign a petition.”

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“What’s their responsibility as elected officials?” community member Murray Guy asked. “I think it would be criminal to not listen to the people.”

Cherkewich and Guy were two of the dozens who spoke to Mayor John Quinn and city council. Nearly everyone who took the microphone were passionate about their beliefs, with most going over their five minute time limit. “I’m nearly finished,” was the most used refrain during the meeting.

The most common concerns about the marina development were the impact on the environment, traffic, property values and appearance of Candle Lake.

Not everyone at the meeting opposed the possibility of the new marina. Of the substantial group, roughly 10 per cent aired their support for the development.

Gene Nikiforuk said constructing a marina was a matter of when, not if. “It’s imperative we have it now. We have way too many boats being launched on a daily basis, and the permanent residents need a spot to put their boats.”

He said building the marina would free up traffic on the roads and at the boat launch, since boats would only need to come in and out of the water once a year. 

“It’s gonna be a congested lake regardless,” he said. “We’re not going to eliminate the boats, we have to contend with them.”

Nikiforuk said, in his opinion, most of the opposition was coming from those who already had a private birth or marina on their lot.

“Listening to the meeting, it’s the location of the marina they’re opposed to, not the actual marina.”

paNOW has reached out to marina developer Marcus Henderson, and has not yet received a comment.

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit