Sylvan Lake town council bans use of tents along the lakefront

Meanwhile, council also considered the use of canopy-style structures with no walls in Centennial Park. As a result, the structures were permitted, but only in a specific designated area of the park, a 12-foot zone on the south side of the lakeshore sidewalk between 42 Street and 40 Street. It is identified as the Centennial Park Canopy Zone.

However, no shade structures will be allowed overnight in Centennial Park between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Councillor Teej Johannesson has called for the complete ban of all tents and canopies, including in Centennial Park, dating back to when discussions were had at first reading.

He explained that this is an opinion that many Sylvan Lakers agree with.

“We got 100 emails about the tent issue and 95 of them wanted a full ban on everything,” he said. “Now, some people say that’s just .01 per cent of the population, but we don’t get emails about anything. In my entire term of seven months, we’ve had maybe five, six, seven emails from residents about concerns and none of them on the same subject. To get 100 emails within a three-day period on the same subject with the same voice, that’s massive.”

He said it was important that they come to a compromise after eliminating the possibility of a complete ban at a previous meeting.

Councillor Tim Mearns fired back at the notion that all residents want a full ban on all tents and canopies, citing data from social media polls and emails from residents.

Mearns said he personally only received 63 emails, and of those, 53 were opposed to tents and some only opposed to canopies.

“I have not been able to prove with the data that the majority of Sylvan Lakers are opposed to canopies or even tents in Centennial Park,” Mearns said.

“I fully acknowledge that there are Sylvan Lakers who do not want canopies in Centennial Park, and their voices deserve to be heard and respected. However, I do not believe the evidence supports the statement that the majority of Sylvan Lakers oppose them entirely.

“In this case, after spending several hours discussing this matter, I believe the feedback has been heard loud and clear… I believe the motion for third reading reflects a reasonable and balanced compromise based on the feedback received. I’m also confident council will revisit this issue at the end of the season.”

Councillor Ian Oostindie said he feels resident concerns are less about moving canopies but more about the concentration of canopies in Centennial Park. He argued that it’s something they could refine with time and the effect of the bylaw.

“When I first came to town, I couldn’t believe what people said that they didn’t go on the northside of the tracks once it’s summertime. That’s been since 2007,” Oostindie said.

“This has been our headache as residents, and we’re always trying to find the right balancing act with all of these pressures of having this fantastic place that attracts visitors just like it attracted me. Personally, I’m good with the crowds most of the time, and I think it’s even fun to go see the crowds… This compromise is doable, and we’ll still need to refine it. I am positive, and I think we have found a compromise.”

Councillor Jas Payne added that it’s important to note that this bylaw can change over time and is not permanent. He said it’s set for a certain amount of time and then made available to review and to change.

Also part of the bylaw, no one will be allowed to make a place of residence in or upon any park, green space or environmental reserve. Camping will only be allowed in designated campgrounds.

As well, no person will be allowed to skate or attempt to create, modify or maintain a skating rink on a storm pond or any stormwater management facility in the town.

by Ian Gustafson

Sylvan Lake town council bans use of tents along the lakefront

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