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The reeve of the Rural Municipality of Corman Park is concerned about plans to close several popular spots along the South Saskatchewan River.
The Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA) recently announced it would close the Paradise Beach, Poplar Bluff and Fred Heal canoe launches to help address a $409,000 cut delivered in the provincial budget.
Paradise Beach and Poplar Bluff are in Corman Park’s jurisdiction.
Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood appeared on the Brent Loucks Show on Monday.
She said she sympathized with the MVA, but was worried the closures will leave the RM in a difficult spot.
“I understand their concerns and understand the tough decisions they’ve had to make,” she said. “It has ramifications that we should all maybe sit down and try to discuss.”
Harwood said simply blocking off the parking lots at Paradise Beach and Poplar Bluff likely won’t be enough to deter people looking to cool off in the peak of summer.
“You can put barricades up, but we know folks are still going to use both those areas – Paradise Beach, Poplar Bluff – they’re going to use them. So, what are they going to do? Are they going to go through gates? Are they going to go around them?” she asked.
Harwood said her chief concern is people choosing to continue using the sites will just park along the gravel roads leading up to the closed parking lots.
“If folks start parking on two sides of our roads, we cannot get vehicles through and then it definitely becomes a safety issue,” she said, pointing to a recent grass fire as an example of why roads need to be kept clear for emergency services.
Harwood said if no way can be found to re-open the sites, RM police will have no choice but to come out and ticket people who choose to park on the roads.
“Not only will it create a dangerous situation for emergency vehicles, but it is illegal,” she said.
Harwood didn’t rule out having the RM take over operation of the parking lots, but noted most of the sites users likely come from Saskatoon. She said she hopes to have all stakeholders meet to discuss what can be done.
