Managing Our Legacy Together
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TO: Chair and Members Engineering and Public Works Committee FROM: Kevin Austin, P.Eng. Manager of Contract and Engineering Services DATE: May 25, 2007 SUBJECT: Use of Port Carling Docks for Water Ski Exhibitions REPORT No.: PW-7-2007-10 __________________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION THAT Summer Water Sports Inc. be advised that public access to the Port Carling Locks and public docks cannot be obstructed or impeded by its proposed weekly water ski exhibitions in the Indian River between the Port Carling Locks and Lake Rosseau. ORIGIN For the past few summers, Summer Water Sports Inc. (SWS) has been conducting a water skiing exhibition on Bala Bay, adjacent Windsor Park. This year the company wishes to expand its operations to Port Carling. SWS proposes to hold the exhibition in the wide part of the Indian River above the Port Carling Locks, downstream from Lake Rosseau. A copy of a letter from SWS outlining this proposal is attached as Appendix “A”. ANALYSIS SWS proposes to conduct ten weekly shows on Monday nights, beginning June 25 and ending August 27. To this end, SWS has approached the Township of Muskoka Lakes and the Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee has passed a resolution stating that it has no objection, provided that SWS meets the requirements of all regulating agencies. In the second paragraph of the letter contained in Appendix “A”, SWS writes: “We would like to make a formal proposal to use the docks at the Locks Park in Port Carling during the water ski show. With the support of “The Boatworks” and full use of their facilities and docks, we would be asking the District to allow us to have the spectators sit on and park their boats on the docks. Also People may want to watch from the island park.” .…2 Managing Our Legacy Together - Page 2 - The public has the right to access these docks similar to the right to travel on a public highway. Obstruction of these docks by an individual or organization is an impingement on those rights. SWS have indicated that it has been in discussions with both the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Canadian Coast Guard (Department of Fisheries and Oceans). However, the sergeant of the Bracebridge OPP detachment has confirmed that a “No Water Skiing” zone exists on the Indian River from the buoys in Lake Rosseau to the buoys in Mirror Lake and that break-away speed for a skier would require the watercraft to exceed the speed limit. The OPP does not have jurisdiction to grant permission to relax these rules. The Parry Sound base for the Coast Guard has received no official correspondence or communication in this regard. Muskoka has no jurisdiction whatsoever in this regard to either amend or enforce the regulations. Muskoka has received calls and emails from residents who have property in this area registering their objection to the SWS proposal, copies of which are included in Appendix “B”. In summary, many of the authorizations required by SWS to be able to proceed are outside of Muskoka’s jurisdiction. Therefore, it is entirely possible that the requirements of other authorities will have a greater impact than those of Muskoka. However, in view of the possible interference with access to the public docks on Muskoka’s property, it is recommended that SWS be advised that any such interference arising from its proposal cannot be permitted. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Austin, P.Eng. Manager of Contract and Engineering Services Encl. Appendix “A” n Summer Water Sports Inc. Water Ski Schools and Shows! May 23rd, 2007 District ofMuskoka Attn: Kevin Austin and Tony White For over eleven years now SWS has provided quality instruction and family entertainment for the residents and visitors of Muskoka. Our weekly shows have become a staple of many family Muskoka vacations, a tradition comparable to the Regatta or Antique Boat Show. SWS has taken in excess of 1.3 million people water skiing and performed over 600 professional water ski and stunt shows for countless spectators. For the summer of 2007 we would like to propose a new Monday evening ski show inPort Carling, on Lake Rosseau starting June 25” and running till August 27” for a total of 10 Monday nights. We would like to make a formal proposal to use the docks at the Locks Park in Port Carling during the water ski show. With the support of “The Boatworks” and full use of their facilities and docks, we would be asking the District to allow us to have the spectators sit on and park their boats on the docks. Also People may want to watch from the island park. We propose the show to take place in front of the main docks and “The Boat Works”. This will keep the waterway open for anyone trying to use the small locks or Port Carling. We will mark a pathway with bouys so people will still be able to enter and leave Port Carling during the show by boat. A typical ski show lasts for about 45 minutes on the water skiing. The skiing will take place in front ofBoat Works and the District docks, which is outlined in the attached picture. This will allow people to still access the small lock and docks during the show and also proved a safe and enjoyable viewing area for spectators. During the ski show we have always have a safety boat on the water that can help direct boats around the site. We also have an announcer who will be able to address the crow and boats to where they should be parking. We typical arrive at the show site at 6:30 PM for set up. The skiing starts at 7:30 and is done around 8:15. We do not leave until we have cleaned up all of our equipment and done a sweep of the area making sure that all the garbage left by the spectators is disposed ofproperly which is around 9:00pm as we do so at all of show sites. Summer Water Sports Inc. 33 Harbour Square, Suite 1237 Toronto, Ont. M5J 2G2 I-888-I-SKI-SWS. [email protected] www.summerwatersports.com There is ample boat and car parking on both sides ofPort Carling to accommodate the people attending the show and also peopling coming to Port Carling for other reasons. We will have staff help direct people where to park their vehicles. Mayor Pryke and the Muskoka Lakes Town Council, and Parks and Recreation committee have passed resolutions showing their support for the show as well as many cottagers and business in the Port Carling area have written letters in support of the show. Our established Tuesday night show site at Windsor Park in Bala allows local businesses to benefit from the audiences who attend. A ski show in Port Carling would bring economic and social benefits to the local community. Families look for dinner, ice cream or shopping to complement the show. We can think of no other weekly Muskoka event that creates such a community gathering. The goal of an SWS ski show is to offer an evening family entertainment. This is a new decade for SWS, with new leadership. As the new owners of SWS we bring a renewed energy and commitment to SWS. It is our sincere hope, that with your support SWS can bring a ski show to Port Carling. Should you have any further questions, comments, or concerns please contact us at your convenience. Sincerely , Geordie Newlands and Cam Dempster Summer Water Sports Summer Water Sports Inc. 33 Harbour Square, Suite 1237 Toronto, Ont. M5J 2G2 1-888-I-SKI-SWS. [email protected] www.summerwatersports.com P n, I Page 1 of 1 Austin, Kevin From: Geordie [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 23,2007 2:52 PM To: Austin, Kevin Cc: White, Tony Subject: RE: Use of Docks at Port Carling Locks. Hi Kevin, Please find attached a letter outlining our proposal for the Monday Night Ski Show in Port Carling. Please let me know if you have any more question. We have also been speaking with the OPP and Coat Guard and they will grant us a special permit allowing us to ski in the river. Thank you, Geordie Newlands Summer Water Sports 416-562-3494 1-888-I-SKI-SWS wwwammewaterspo&&com From: Austin, Kevin [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: May 23, 2007 9: 11 AM To: [email protected] Cc: White, Tony Subject: Use of Docks at Port Carling Locks. Geordie: Pursuant to our telephone conversation this morning, please provide Muskoka with a formal request and details of your proposal for use of the docks at Locks Park in Port Carling to conduct a water skiing show. Please also include the dates, times, details of provisions for maintaining existing marine traffic, parking for both automobiles and watercraft, pedestrian access, etc.. Thank you. Kevin Austin, P.Eng. Manager of Contract and Engineering Services District Municipality of Muskoka 70 Pine Street Bracebridge, Ontario PIL 1N3 (705) 645-6764 (800) 281-3483 5/25/2007 COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS. RE. PORT CARLING ... Appendix "B" MAY 1 7 2007 Subject: COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS. RE: PORT CARLING WATER SKISHOW ftood7 Fromd-'! Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 16: 19:22 EDT To: [email protected] District ofMuskoka, Commissioner ofPublic Works, Administrative Offices, 70 Pine Street, Bracebridge, Ontario, P1L OAl Attn. Mr. Tony White, Dear Mr. White, It has come to my attention that a company named Summer Water Sports (SWS) has made a proposal to the Township ofMuskoka Lakes, Parks and Recreation Department to present a water ski show.