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Failure to launch near Plamondon

Lake-lovers near Plamondon waiting for a boat launch in their area
whitesands boat launch
Boaters wanting to enjoy the Plamondon-area waters of Lac La Biche lake have to load their watercraft at launches a third of the way around the 28 kilometre wide lake.

Efforts are continuing to create a usable boat launch on the northeast portion of Lac La Biche lake near Plamondon — but some hopes are sinking after initial plans took on water.

An aging boat launch at the White Sands Resort north of Plamondon had been the only access to the lake for boaters along the eastern shores of the lake, but the site was closed down last year due to safety concerns. The launch was to be removed and another launch was to be built a few kilometres south at the Plamondon Motor Sports Association grounds.

The White Sands launch removal was to begin July 15, with Alberta Environment officials allowing a month of lakeshore access for the job.

But sources at White Sands say that a unique process meant to create a water dam around the construction site was not successful due to high water levels. An ‘aqua-dam’, a $225,000 process that allows water to be removed from inside an area of the lake for construction, reportedly couldn’t be used because water levels of the community’s namesake lake have risen upwards of four feet due to steady rainfall this year.

Approvals from Alberta Environment also seem to be an issue.

With planning and discussions with provincial Environment officials already going on for more than a year, municipal officials hope to hear positive news back.

“We are still waiting on Alberta Environment for approvals,” said Lac La Biche County acting CAO Ken Van Buul, adding that he would push for timelines updates.

High water or government red-tape aside, the lack of a usable boat launch does affect recreation at the White Sands resort and for much of the Plamondon-side of the lake. With the White Sands launch closed, the nearest water access is across the lake at the new launch built two years ago on the Old Mission Trail. Of the 10 public boat launches on Lac La Biche lake, there are currently none within 10 kilometres of Plamondon.

As Lac La Biche County councillors await new permissions from Alberta Environment to begin work on the Plamondon Motor Sports site, they are also anxious to remove the structure at the White Sands Resort.

“It really is an eye-sore,” said Plamondon-area county councillor Colette Borgun, saying she has received “many calls” about the delays from community members and representatives from the White Sands resort.

 


Rob McKinley

About the Author: Rob McKinley

Rob has been in the media, marketing and promotion business for 30 years, working in the public sector, as well as media outlets in major metropolitan markets, smaller rural communities and Indigenous-focused settings.
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