By Sheldon Spackman

Adjusting To Public Health Measures

Sylvan Lake preparing for busy summer season

May 3, 2021 | 2:14 PM

The Town of Sylvan Lake is preparing for what it expects to be a large number of visitors once again this summer.

Director of Parks and Protective Services, Ron Lebsack, says the Town will remain constant and vigilant in promoting Alberta’s public health measures through awareness, signage, and enforcement officers along the lakefront.

“Sylvan Lake is expecting a very busy summer again as Albertans are attempting to do their best to balance responsible social distancing action with their journey to find a sense of normal in today’s world, and an opportunity to connect with loved ones, to stay-cation within the province, and to support their local economies,” says Lebsack.

With the anticipated influx of visitors over the coming months, Planning Manager Kim Devlin says the Town of Sylvan Lake has created an expedited process for commercial patio applications to help businesses respond to public health measures through creative and flexible solutions.

“We are very supportive of our local business community and hope that every business that wants a commercial patio takes advantage of it,” she explains. “The Town is here to help create an environment for businesses to be successful and is committed to helping out in any way we can during these challenging times.”

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Devlin says they also in the process of exploring options for sidewalk patios again this year to create activity along the waterfront.

“The Food Truck Thursday Event will also return, with some adaptations to ensure that public health measures can be adhered to, so it is safe and enjoyable for everyone,” adds Devlin.

Town council has also approved recommendations to improve the parking situation for boat trailers near the lake, while also alleviating some of the challenges with on-street parking.

Currently, boat trailers are allowed to park on the street while taking up two paid parking spaces. The existing parking lot configuration near the boat launch accommodates approximately 125 spaces.

The new parking lot configuration to accommodate truck-trailer parking would see a reduction of 20 spaces.

Projected revenue from the Lakefront Park Lot is not expected to change, however, as the projected increased utilization of truck-trailer parking during the non-peak times is expected to account for the loss of spaces.

“The objective to providing more truck and boat trailer parking is to assist in reducing the numbers of truck and boat trailer parking on the side streets,” says Lebsack. “The Town now has parking available along Lakeshore Drive and in the Lakefront Park parking lot for truck and boat trailer parking.”

With the new ownership of the boat launch and subsequent drop in price to use it, combined with last year’s visitors to the lake, staff is anticipating a greater volume of boat trailer traffic within the community this summer.

Town officials say the Farmers Market and surrounding businesses that rely on the parking lot during the summer have voiced their support of the new parking lot configuration.

Parking lot staff will also be addressing some of the drainage issues that currently exist by grading and adding some gravel to the base in areas that need it.