May 10, 2010.pdf - Watrous Heritage Centre

20 • MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 THE WATROUS MANITOU
From front page:
HOUSING
unknown after the new
long-term care facility is
constructed, Coulter felt
a meeting needed to take
place.
“We saw it as a minor
crisis . . . the town was really
excellent in helping this
(meeting) to happen.”
The evening, which included
Coulter, Watrous
mayor Ed Collins and developer
Dan Boehr was
aimed to gather ideas and
plan for the future of the
area with respect to senior
housing of all varieties.
At the Apr. 29 meeting
Coulter said, “The conservative
estimate of the
loss of 20 to 25 spots for
seniors is the reason for
our gathering. It is the
hope of organizers to provide
information, solicit
opinions and consider the
future.”
Redden said, “It is a first
step. It was intended for discussion
and after that, (to)
sit down and see if there is
a course of action.”
Coulter said, “Watrous
is becoming more and
more of a destination for
people moving from small
towns to here. We get applications
from all over the
place for our 83 units that
we administrate.”
After some dialogue
within groups, Coulter outlined
some highlights, one
that including potential
funding through grants.
He also talked about fundraising
initiatives but said
they would not pursue that
just yet, in order to allow
the long-term care facility
to get monies it requires to
construct a new building.
While there was nothing
coming this year from
the provincial government,
Coulter hopes the
group can get something
written up and submitted
so that next year if funding
is available, hopefully they
will be in line to access it.
In order to move ahead
with these needs, a citizen
committee was established
consisting of Janice Siegfried,
Lynn Mitchell, Coulter,
Dorman Hutchinson,
Carol Mudry, Cindy Garner
and Sylvia Dubeczy.
The group’s tasks involve
developing goals and
strategy in order to pursue
action. They also are
looking for support from
Watrous, Manitou Beach,
Watrous Housing Authority
and specialists from financial
institutions.
Coulter said they want
to keep the initiative alive
and, with enough funds,
hope to bring in a consultant
to explain what exactly
the community needs.
“We had good feedback”
at the meeting.
“Anytime you can get 80
people from the community
talking about community
concerns is fantastic.”
LAWN & GARDEN
Through rain and snow and sleet . . .
A phrase more commonly attributed to the
early postal carriers, it also seems an apt
way to describe the never-ending struggle
of the two hardy men at the end of Watrous’
From front page: MANAGEMENT SEEKING EXPLANATION
eral salt buildup on the inside of the
skimmer piping.
However, they said, “We have proven
to the department of health with a recent
comprehensive engineers report,
that our pool water flows through our
filter system approximately 14 times per
day. The minimum required turnover of
any pool is four times a day through its
filter system. We are filtering the pool
water approximately three and a half
times more than the minimum amount
required. We also drain off approximately
8,000 to 10,000 gallons of pool water
every night to waste and top up the pool
with fresh lake water as a result.”
In order to get the pool running again,
“We will be attempting to clear the block
skimmers very soon with a special liquid,
and we are optimistic with the results.
“(Management) have tried their best
to comply with every demand of the department
of health despite their lack of
communication, and unwillingness to
answer our questions regarding this and
other issues. We ultimately view this as
an unfair attack,” reiterated the spa’s
press release.
Opondo understands the issue is extremely
sensitive and like Hayter, is not
happy that it has come down to this. “It
comes to a point where if the health hazards
continue, we have to make a decision,”
Opondo said. “I think there has
been quite substantial communication.”
Hayter said public health is the utmost
concern and that he did not receive
anything in writing from the health region
regarding the bacteria levels in the
pool being too high.
Main Street. During the inclement weather
of the last few weeks, these two continued
to persevere through the worst of it.
––TWM photo by Daniel Bushman
“The engineer addressed all their concerns
within the report except for the
fact that the skimmers are plugged.
“We worked with them, complied with
them and they rejected a detailed work
plan and timeline to free up the skimmers
without any reason.”
In an effort to try and get some answers,
Hayter set up a meeting this past
Friday with officials from the health minister’s
office and representatives with the
health region.
“I think it has been blown out of proportion,”
Hayter said. “They are not recognizing
the long-term repercussions.”
Manitou Beach mayor Eric Upshall
said he is working with the spa in a supportive
role. “My obligation is to help
any way I can.
“Over the last number of years the
place has really taken off. In the last six
months Dwight Hayter put a lot of money
into the place and it is cleaner, safer and
a friendlier environment. That was welcomed
by all of us.”
Upshall who accompanied Hayter to
the meeting hoped that something would
get resolved. Instead of going back over
the past two years, “I’m saying six months
is the time frame which they should look
at. There has been tremendous change
in the management style and an obvious
commitment that can’t go unnoticed. I
am encouraging the Saskatoon Health
Region and the department of health to
come forward quickly with the details of
what has to be done.”
Despite the closure, the hotel, gift shop
and restaurant remain open and Hayter
hopes to take the closed sign off the pool
as soon as he can.
The Watrous Manitou stocks a variety of office products, coloured paper and card
stock, and many more supplies for your daily needs. Stop in at 309 Main Street.
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