During last week’s budget meeting, Burns Lake council decided to revitalize Radley Beach.
The beach area was last refurbished in the fall of 2011 with the addition of new sand. However, village staff says that over the past few years the beach has become overgrown with weeds, and that the sand needs to be replenished. Geese are also an ongoing problem.
The revitalization project will include partial removal of the top sand layer with installation of new sand, which will cost between $8000 to $12,000. Village staff recommended raking the new sand on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to discourage weed growth and help maintain a more aesthetically pleasing surface.
The village will also purchase two additional docks for the area, which will cost $7500. In addition, the village has applied for the ‘Tree Canada’ grant and, if successful, crews will plant fruit trees near the beach area.
Last summer the village decided to take action to reduce the amount of geese feces at Radley Beach after receiving several complaints from the public. Village crews placed a temporary fence (posts with ribbon) in the area to discourage the geese from going onto the beach and force them to find an alternative location.
Village staff are currently working on other options to discourage the geese from accessing the beach. One option would be to continue with a temporary fence with the addition of a temporary water sprinkler system. Other options - already used by other municipalities - include the use of a dog to discourage the geese from accessing the area, permanent fencing and increased staff presence.
During last week’s meeting, council also considered revitalizing the municipal campground next to Radley Beach. Council asked village staff to bring back a report with proposed actions and costs associated with revitalizing the campground at the next budget meeting, which is scheduled to take place on Feb. 28, 2017.