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Have dinner while boating around the "jewel of Alberta"

Wealth Works owner asks city council to consider commercial use at the marina

COLD LAKE – A local business is hoping to show residents and visitors the "jewel of Alberta" – Cold Lake.

Russ Robertson, owner and director of Wealth Works Inc., is hoping to offer boat dinner tours of Cold Lake, and asked city council during their Aug. 11 meeting to consider opening the marina for commercial use in order to boost tourism.

“Development of the waterfront and region as a whole, whether it be from Lloydminster down across to Lac La Biche and whatnot, it’s very unknown to the urban communities,” Robertson detailed. “People have no idea how big Cold Lake is and it offers everything from fishing to recreational (activities) and some of the best beaches in Canada.”

Robertson explained Wealth Works recently purchased a 30-foot cabin cruiser, which can fit up to 12 people, in order to offer dinner tours on the local lake.

“There’s really no other service like it on Cold Lake,” he noted, adding it could attract people from across province to the area.

“The lake itself is the jewel of Alberta. Most people don’t know about it and we’ve got people coming from Calgary and Edmonton saying ‘why haven’t I ever heard of this place before?’ Which is (surprising) to me.”

The goal is to be able to host celebrations, along with offering individual tours for those who want to take a look around Cold Lake.

The project was also an opportunity to partner with local restaurants to add to the experience, a way of highlighting local businesses. According to Robertson, food will be available on the boat from Picante Café, Mamacitas, Fresh Fusion Bistro, along with drinks from Wine Knows.

Dinner boat tours is an expansion onto what Wealth Works currently offers. The company has a number of locations that offer short and long-term rentals, such as the Edge Water Cottage and Suites and Edge Water Crystal View.

“We wanted to partner with local businesses to help enhance tourism here in Cold Lake as offering our properties, offering basically our executive style accommodations,” he said.

Opening up the marina to commercial use could significantly help boost tourism in the area, stated Robertson.

“We have several businesses in town and we felt that it was a very important part of drawing tourism to Cold Lake and the area.”

Mayor Craig Copeland noted the marina “is a difficult spot because so many people want to be in it. It’s a hidden jewel and space is premium there.”

Council will look into Robertson’s request and discuss the possibility of giving Wealth Works a spot in order to offer dinner tours of Cold Lake.

Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle

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