INNISFAIL – Town council has approved a motion directing administration to explore the potential of Dodd’s Lake offering paddleboat and kayak rentals but it was muted at best with concerns continuing over increasing congestion at the lake.
Council was presented with two Dodd’s Lake-related motions at its regular meeting on April 11. The first asked council to approve the Park Permit Pilot Program for 2022, while the second wanted council to direct administration to explore the provision of rental equipment such as paddleboats, boards, or kayaks at Dodd’s Lake. Council approved both motions.
The motions come as the town is trying to put together a plan to handle this year’s expected heavy recreational use at the boat launch area of the lake that created congestion and parking concerns in 2021.
Administration was hoping a decision on a major $750,000 federal grant application would come by the end of 2021. If successful, the monies would go towards upgrading the area to fix the current congestion issues but the town is still waiting for a decision. In the meantime, town staff is working on alternative plans.
Council was reminded the town’s Parks Bylaw currently prohibits the use of a park space to conduct a business or commercial venture. However, a pilot program was initiated in 2021 to support local small businesses, particularly during the COVID pandemic, allowing the opportunity to utilize park spaces for private business use.
Meghan Jenkins, the town’s director of community services, told council there has been no participation to date but administration wants to extend the pilot program through 2022 to allow for a proper evaluation of opportunities and challenges.
She said “in concert” with the pilot program, the town has been approached by a private business with a paddleboat rental proposal.
“In order to entertain such a business, we would have to either extend the pilot project or look at an amendment to the Parks Bylaw,” said Jenkins.
However, the paddleboat proposal met with muted responses from council members.
“I am a bit concerned about congestion, so I would like to see what the plan is to have a little less congestion on and around the lake. I know there was issues last year with the carp fishermen, kayakers going by and the nine-metre poles,” said mayor Jean Barclay. “How are we going to direct traffic and keep away from accidents happening or people getting hooked with fishing gear?”
Coun. Jason Heistad said the paddleboat idea was worth looking at but the immediate priority is to have a plan to deal with the congestion.
“Just being at the trade fair I had a resident talk to me about the congestion. I think it can be done in the right way. I trust the work of the administration, and I think the plans we do have are positive for the community,” said Heistad. "I think this is a really good opportunity for our council to get a really good plan for that area and not only there but for Centennial Park and other areas in town.”
Coun. Gavin Bates added the town needed to look at the boat launch area’s dock as the town does not yet know the full scope of current and future recreational activities, which includes the local water ski club.
“We need to get all that stuff together and see how it’s all going to work,” said Bates. “Probably as soon as the ice is gone, we are going to start to see usage that will be over and above this.”
Coun. Cindy Messaros wanted to know that if council approved both motions would it mean automatic approval for the paddleboat proposal.
Jenkins said staff would have to go through the permit application process, including insurance, dates the paddleboat operation intends to be available, and where its base of operations will be located.
“We did not want to get too far into the planning conversation with that potential business if it was something that council was not supportive of seeing move ahead,” said Jenkins.
Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer, said it was his understanding that council members would like to have some additional information coming back to them, such as a Dodd’s Lake Use Plan that would take a look at a variety of activities.
