Lac La Biche County officials have issued a statement regarding a local group's plan to create a fish-fly habitat and display centre on the site of the old Centennial Arena. "Vegreville has the egg, Glendon has the pyrogy ...
Lac La Biche County officials have issued a statement regarding a local group's plan to create a fish-fly habitat and display centre on the site of the old Centennial Arena.
"Vegreville has the egg, Glendon has the pyrogy ... Lac La Biche has the fish-fly," says Commemorate Our Nature Society (CONS) director Blair Norton. "We've gone through a lot of red tape and research and were kind of surprised that no other lakeshore community had created anything like this before."
The local CONS group has a volunteer base of more than 30 members, and plans to establish a 'green zone' that will not only promote fish-fly habitat, but will also serve as a museum of sorts for the public to learn all about the area's most abundant summertime visitor.
"Probably the most expensive part of the project will the statue," said Norton, explaining that a Peace River-based artist has already been commissioned to create a 40-foot replica of the insect. "This guy did the '12-foot Davis' statue that Peace River is known for. Ours will be a taller metal and wooden structure with interractive buttons and recordings for residents to learn about the insect."
At the base of the statue, society members are planning to incorporate a number of fish-fly related attractions, including a mini-golf course with insect-based theme holes, and a wetland habitat where underground glass tunnels will allow the public to watch the larvae hatch in the submerged roots of grasses and shrubs.
"It's quite fascinating to see them emerge from their egg sacks and almost instantly take flight," said Norton, adding that a public hearing will be held at the end of the month to gather final approvals from neighbouing residents. "We think everyone will be as interested in this as we are."
But just days after the project was announced, some residents are already going buggy.
"The little mites are bad enough in the summer. Why promote them and encourage them to grow right across the street?" said Avril Fyuhl who has lived in her home near the town's recreation grounds for 40 years. "Over the years I've thought we should have a nice big statue or local attraction to promote the area - but a giant bug? Really?"
She is planning to start a petition to halt the project.
"Fish-flies are a nuisance. They make messes on our houses and cars. Why on earth would be want to spend money to honour them with a park? I think this idea should be swatted down like a pesky mosquito ... or fish-fly."
Any opposition to the park won't be due to funding concerns, says Norton, explaining the park won't cost any out-of-pocket local money. Being the first of its kind, the project is eligible for a number of special grants.
"We were amazed at how many insect-based associations are out there who will pay for it. We found a big one called Gnat Grants ... We won't need any public funds for this. "
The estimated constuction time for the project is four months and one day.
Lac La Biche County spokesperson Shadia Amblie did comment on the issue, and in particular the timing of the project.
"This is an April Fool joke the Lac La Biche POST has created," she said. "There isn't, and probably never will be, any sort of homage to fish-flies in our community. Please don't contact the County to complain - or commend - the idea ... just have a safe and happy April Fool's Day."
