Letters to the Editor for March 10, 2015

Winter Stations a hit with former Beachers

I want to thank the BMN team for the coverage of all things Beach-related, and specifically for the recent articles about the winter warming art installations created on the five lifeguard stands.

The article and background information about the installations piqued the interest of my husband and myself. While we couldn’t be there the weekend they were installed, we have thoroughly enjoyed visiting them since then.

Our thanks to the many people involved in enabling the idea of warming stations to become a reality. We enjoyed exploring them on our own initially and have since been delighted to see people of all ages engaged in exploring and enjoying these creations. What a wonderful way to enhance our experience of the waterfront and winter weather. My husband and I share the hope that this can become an annual event.

Lois W.D.
(former Elmer Avenue resident)

 

Loss of tennis tourney could hurt business

Interesting to read coverage of the Queen Street Revival and Kew Gardens Tennis Club in a recent issue. Let’s hope the club members who voted against welcoming Junior players, families and friends to our community will make an extra effort to support local businesses for lost trade.

M. Noon

Kippendavie Avenue

 

A word of caution around Winter Stations

Two points that families might want to keep in mind.

First:  During the summer the beaches are off-limits to all non-service dogs.  Over the winter, dogs are allowed on the beaches and they may also be off leash.

Second:  Sometimes the ice along the shore looks to be quite safe, but it is not. There is neither yellow caution tape nor fencing to warn visitors. Apparently, a few dogs, with absolutely no warning, have fallen into the lake.  If a person falls in, people of course should call 911 immediately, even if the person does get out. The harbour police  know the lake, have the skill sets (which they practice), and have cold water rescue equipment.

In June of last year, a retired physician watched a member of a stand-up paddleboarding class fall into the lake. The person tried unsuccessfully and repeatedly to get out of the water, then started to show the signs of hypothermia.  When he realized that no one in the group recognized what might be going on, the former physician paddled over and helped the person out.

We hope that everyone will be careful, so they will leave the beach enriched by the installations, and still dry

Beach resident
Names and address withheld

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