(Submitted photo/ Landyn Uhersky)

By Nigel Maxwell

Health and business

Proposed cannabis store at Emma Lake, receives green light

Apr 17, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Wiid Boutique’s plan to set up a new store at Emma Lake has cleared another hurdle.

Following a public hearing Monday, the District of Lakeland Council voted 5-1 in favour of the application, which paves the way for the business to set up shop in the space currently occupied by Bear Country Fudge next to Ambrose Grocery. The ice cream store will be relocated across the parking lot next to Nica’s. Co-owner Landyn Uhersky has expressed interest in being open in time for the May long weekend.

Prior to council’s vote, a public hearing was held, and the district council received over 20 written and verbal submissions. Hildy Richardson was among the four people who spoke out in favour of the application.

“I’m in favour of entrepreneurial business in this area and any opportunities for businesses to come forward, I would welcome that,” she said.

Brad Bevill, who has experience in public administration, told paNOW he wrote to support the application because he has seen that these uses can be implemented well and be valuable parts of communities.

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“I think it’s important for people such as myself, who understand our local government processes, to speak up for those people who may not understand it, but nevertheless, desire to have these uses close by and available without a drive to Prince Albert,” he said

Derek Reddekopp, a seasonal site owner, was among those against the application and explained he enjoys spending summers at the lake with his grandchildren.

“To put a cannabis shop in the heart of Lakeland, a place where people go for walks for nature, for boating, for fishing, for ice cream, seems to me to be putting a white elephant in the middle of the room,” he said

Beyond his immediate concerns with respect to the sale of cannabis, Reddekopp also cited concerns with the increased traffic already happening in the area.

“We already have instances of people going through parks, where we have to call the RCMP. Adding a cannabis shop will add to that traffic and I think it just totally removes everything from the spirit of what we have created there,” he said.

The district’s bylaw which opens the door for cannabis retail applications was approved last year. Reeve Walter Plessl explained the application met all the requirements, adding the final decision to approve it was not based on whether people are in favour of cannabis or not.

“We looked at the big picture that it’s legal in Canada and legal in Saskatchewan and I think it’s all about having stuff in place that people can stay home and spend their money right here,” he said.

Acknowledging the concerns related to safety, and the disruption of a family atmosphere, Plessl said council had spoken to the RCMP about the company’s history and was informed there was no record of any problems.

“In this day and age, if we don’t open it up, the next guy does and this store owner has brought lots of good things and has lots of good plans for the area,” Plessl said.

When store co-owner Landyn Uhersky spoke with paNOW last March, he explained why he was looking at the Emma Lake area. He said explained his partner in the venture is from the Prince Albert area and together they’ve been looking at gaps in the cannabis market.

“I know quite a few people that spend time at Emma Lake and I’ve gone camping there a few times. We just thought it would be a great opportunity,” he said.

Ukersky still requires approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, before he can proceed to open his store.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell