August 24, 2020
In his August 20 broadcast, the Chief advises that the beach park will remain closed to tourists.
Cottagers are permitted to use the beach at their own risk and to practise social distancing as required.
Sauble Beach Park Remains Closed
Aug 24, 2020 | News | 11 comments
Our Chief remains committed to ensuring a healthy environment and relationship with the people and environment! Bravo!
Does that mean only people that lease a cottage from the Band are allowed on the beach?
It means that cottage owners/occupants, their family members and guests, along with Band members, their families and guests are the only people allowed on the beach.
However there appears to be little to no monitoring or enforcement of the closure. The path on 10th street leading from Carson’s Camp still has a steady stream of campers heading to the beach. A very confusing sign was posted a couple of weeks ago and is totally being ignored. As well, many head down to the 12th St entrance to avoid “getting caught” as the kids say with delight. Two ATVs ride up and down but rarely, if ever, challenge anyone. I actually find the situation not too bad – except for the dogs, the garbage and the peeing in the bushes near the waterfront cottages – but it makes the Band look weak as no one Is respecting the closure but nothing is being done.
Carson’s campers often ask if the beach is still closed and I always say yes but it doesn’t seem closed to me.
That is an issue between the Band and Carson’s Camp. Your answer is the right one. The beach is closed.
It’s not just Carson’s Camp, it’s also cottagers from municipal properties that come to the south side. My cottage is one of the ones in the front row, close to the beach, and I am there pretty much all the time. I have not once seen Cancom stop anyone to make sure they are allowed to be there, and I have even called Cancom a couple of times because of people who I know shouldn’t be there, and were also openly drinking alcohol. Nothing, nada, zip, was done about it. What’s the point in the Chief and Council saying the beach is closed, if nobody is going to do anything to enforce it? I’m also getting tired of cleaning up after the tourists who leave garbage behind. I’ll keep cleaning up after them, of course, because I care about the beach, but maybe it would make more sense for the Chief and Council to open it to the public and have staff to take care of it and clean up after them so us lease holders don’t have to?
You are absolutely correct. Perhaps the Chief is fine with tourists if they are behaving well. I’m a live and let live person normally but it’s just strange to hear the announcement that the beach is closed but see that the beach is actually open to everyone.
Carson’s Camp has a steady stream of people coming and going on the South Sauble location. At least 2 groups last weekend, one quite large plunked themselves right in front of our cottage for the whole day. So we know they are not lease Cottagers. One group of 10 adults plunked themselves right next to us and where no more than 3 feet from us and all of them where drinking alcohol. The non Cottagers have disrespect for the Cottagers. I am grateful that the beach is once again closed to non-Cottagers. However, as others have said it is not being enforced in any visible way. It was better at least see more Cancom presence on the beach last weekend. However nothing looked like it was being enforced.
The other concern is the amount of boats and seadoo’s coming in and too close to the beach where people are swimming and in the water and some of them appear to have levels of intoxication. Somebody is going to get seriously injured yet. I would suggest that if any cottager calls about people who look like non Cottagers that Cancom then goes and talks with that group and advise them that the beach is closed to visitors and they will have to leave or they will get a $500 fine. Then check and make sure they have left. There where Cottagers who simply went to pick up bikes and check on their cottages in March/April that where fined that amount. Thank you to the Chief, the Band and Cancom and SCOI for everything being done. We would just like Cancom to actually enforce the items of concern.
I would also suggest for Sauble’s North End that they start treating it like the Grotto and people have to reserve a site online and charge them a decent fee for the day not under $100.00 with #of people limit. That would help with cost of security etc and use some of that fund to support our retailers who do a great service. Cottagers don’t want to go to that area because there are too many people there. We enjoy going down there to shop, but it is a deterrent when there are mobs of people there.
Good news that makes alot of sense. Ideally will never open the beach to the general public. I understand that our leases prohibit the rental of cottages/land. Only first nation residents can rent. Yet I see different groups of oçcupants in several of the cottages in our area. The band either needs to enforce the no rental rule or allow everyone to rent. I believe renting is rampant. So either allow it or strictly enforce no renting. Renters do not treat the area with the same respect as cottagers. Hopefully you agree with me. I’m sure this has been an issue for a long time. It’s not fair to those who actually try to follow the rules. Other issues that security needs addressing is dogs on the beach and what appears to be non cottagers using the beach. I have seen zero beach patrols this zero. I’m sure if they were patrolling they would catch many people with dogs on the beach all day and people without a dump card.
Dave
There is a rumour spreading around the band that we are allowed the month of November to make up for May. Could you confirm this please
We have asked the Chief for clarification on this. He has indicated that Council will deal with it at next Monday’s meeting ( Oct 6 ).
As soon as we have an answer, we will post it.