Brad Wall,
It is the (proposed) decision of the Park Management Branch of the Ministry of Park, Culture and Sport (MPCS) to sell off the rights to the Marina at Greenwater Lake. When the government sold leases to other Marinas in the Province, the dock rentals went from $75.00/year to (in some cases) $1,500 and higher/year. Fair market value, proponents would say but certainly not affordable for the average family who want to enjoy boating for two or three months in the summer. Justifiable perhaps at a private beach, not a Provincial Park whose motto at one time was "For our children's children".
At Greenwater Park many will remember a few years ago that it was the government rental cabins that were sold to Nicor Group, a large Saskatchewan company (www.nicorgroup.ca). Nicor Group is increasing the cabin rental fees significantly (20, 30 & 45%) rendering them unaffordable any longer for many average families. Last year, without consultation with the Park Users Group, Parks Branch drew up an agreement for a local business man (who also works for Nicor Group during the summer season), to destroy a large section of forest land between the Greenwater Lake RV Park (owned by Nicor Group) and the park's ball diamond to put up a "for profit" storage compound site. Many park users were shocked at the destruction of forest land inside the park to make room for another private profit making venture. Destruction of this land goes against the Park Act's own mandate of maintaining ecosystems. Years ago the Beach Cafe and Park Store buildings were sold as well to local area families, but the government has apparently said that they no longer want to do business with mom and pop operations.
Saskatchewan Parks should be financially available to everyone; not a country club for a few. When pieces of the Park are slowly and systematically sold/leased off to businesses whose bottom line will always be the best return on investment to themselves or their shareholders (and not the natural preservation and beauty of our parks), access to the parks will be quietly eroded.
I have a dock in the Marina at Greenwater. I can't afford $1,500/year. But if someone was willing to pay that and I had to give my dock up why wouldn't the Sask Party keep the docks and that money to enhance our Park not some private businesses bottom line?
I don't care who you support at the ballot box next election - selling off our Parks is wrong and a travesty if we continue to let them quietly do it.
I have been given the opportunity to attend a Park Advisory Meeting to speak to the issue, of selling the Greenwater Marina, prior to the final decision. If you want more information or want to voice your concern you should call: Minister for Parks, Culture & Sport - Kevin Doherty 306-787-0354. Director of Parks, Culture & Sport Operations Division - Marty Halpape [email protected] 306-787-7621.
Sandy Lowndes, Kelvington, SK.
