A photo taken at Elk Ridge in the fall of 2019. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Municipal Politics

Hamlet of Elk Ridge seeks Resort Village status

Nov 22, 2019 | 4:00 PM

Elk Ridge resort is widely known as a great tourist destination, but in recent years more people are choosing to stay and live in the area.

As a result of that growth, a process has been rolling out for the Hamlet of Elk Ridge to be recognized as a Resort Village. At a District of Lakeland public meeting Friday, Garry McKay, Chair of the Hamlet Board, explained to council the process has been slow, and not all the math has worked out the way he thought.

“We did our best to try and make the process move slowly but we still know that one plus one equals three actually,” he commented.

Garry McKay listens intently to questions from council. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The process of having the hamlet move towards self-governance and break away from the District of Lakeland started roughly three and a half years ago, and over the course of those years there have been a number of studies, planning sessions and a community meeting.

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“Those residents were advised that the first step to actually applying for resort village status, was to sign a petition and we can tell you that an overwhelming number of those in attendance signed the petition,” he said.

In addition to support from the District of Lakeland, the hamlet board has also received letters of support from both the Elk Ridge Community Owners Association, and the resort itself. At the conclusion of Friday’s meeting McKay explained to paNOW the essential reason for the decision to look at self governance, was because the community had grown to the point where it wanted to look after its own growth.

“You know when you are part of the district, and nothing against the district, there are other competing priorities,” he said.

District of Lakeland office. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Moving forward, McKay explained to council the board had plans to submit their application to the province by Jan. 1, adding realistically the process could take another year to be finalized. Reeve Cheryl Bauer-Hyde mentioned a number of issues had to be worked out.

She later explained to paNOW those issues including the finalization of police, fire and waste management services. Both the hamlet and the District of Lakeland must also present individual budget plans, with respect to the impact of the change.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Government Relations informed paNOW they were aware of the discussions, but confirmed as well they had not as of yet received an application from the Organized Hamlet of Elk Ridge for incorporation as a resort village.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell