Silver Islet Campers Association

S.I.C.A.

Silver Islet Campers Association

2019 Newsletter 

     2019 is shaping up to be another busy year at Silver Islet. The big news is that after years of discussions with the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, it looks like we should soon see some action on the rebuilding and divestiture of the harbor. SICA members were rightly concerned about assuming costs and responsibilities that are perhaps best undertaken by the boating community. Parks Canada had received our collective support if they wanted to manage the harbor but they declined, even as their plans to roll out the new Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area are developing. For their part, DFO made it known to us in late summer that they currently expect the budget and have a schedule for concluding the divestiture process this year and were proceeding with tendering the engineering.

     To ensure we could act as a qualified counterparty and provide input to the planning in a timely fashion a new group was formed last fall, the Silver Islet Harbour Association. This nonprofit is similar to SICA but with the specific mandate to develop and manage the harbor after a transfer agreement is reached with DFO. The SIHA executive will include elected representatives from SICA, the Silver Islet Yacht Club (SIYC) and the Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior (CLLS) as the primary stakeholders in the harbour. As SIHA is an independent entity there is no financial or legal exposure to SICA, SIYC, CLLS or any of their members, so providing representation without risk.

     To date we have agreed on the scope of what DFO is proposing to do, with a potential start after Labour Day 2019. It creates a much safer harbour with a rock berm encasing the existing cribbed break wall. The main dock will be lengthened along the channel to close the harbor opening somewhat and will be sheet piled, rubble filled and topped with a concrete deck. This structure should provide decades of low maintenance service. The inward arm of the old timber wharf will not be replaced but a floating header dock will be constructed and anchored along the inside of the break wall to which SIHA can add finger docks. As a great philosopher once noted, “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over”, and these plans won’t be finalized until DFO says they are, but so far we have every reason to look forward to future generations of safer boating at Silver Islet. More information will be forthcoming at the June 16 Yacht Club meeting and at the July 14 SICA AGM, so watch for updates as things develop.

In other news…

Membership

This year’s membership fees are $125 for a full membership with voting rights (cottage owner) and $50 for an associate membership which can only be purchased if it is in addition to a full membership.

Your 2019 S.I.C.A. Executive

              President        SCOTT CHEADLE                    Past President            HALINA GOODER

              Treasurer        RON ZABLOSKI                       Property Manager       TBD

              Secretary        ANDRE ST JACQUE                Membership                SUSAN BEIMERS

              At Larger         SCOTT ATKINSON                  Swim Coordinator       RICK SEIGFRIED

              Events Coord  LIISA HUPKA                           Junior Campers           MARCIA PEDERSEN

Swimming Instructor

SICA is accepting applications for the Swimming Instructor for 2019. Applicants must have a National Lifeguard Service certificate (NLS) and have taken The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor Course. Application will be accepted up until June 28. Submit to Richard Siegfried at rsiegfri@shaw.ca .

Thanks for the Donations 

We would like to acknowledge and thank ALS Sewage Service, Chimo Building Center, Big Pines Propane Service, Gescan, Intercity Industrial, Central Canada, Wanson Lumber, J&J Sports, Blue Wave, Allianz Esthetics, ABC Embroidery and K&S Contracting (Kim & Laura Kydd) for their generous donations of prizes that were given out at events last season.

Sailing Lessons  *** NEW***

Something new for this season is sailing lessons for campers aged 7 – 16
put on by Sail Thunder Bay. Costs are about $250 per student and all gear,
boats etc. are provided. A minimum class size is needed to ensure the
course goes ahead. STB is also hoping their instructors can be billeted at
Silver Islet during the course, so if you have an interest and/or a spare bunk
please contact Andre St. Jacques before June 26.

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Darryl Storey is looking for volunteers to crew a new CCGA muster station
based at the Silver Islet harbor. Anyone interested should attend the June 16
SIYC meeting or contact Darryl for more information at 977-1922 or
Darryl.Storey@tbaytel.net.

Fabulous Final Furniture Blowout Sale!

     The good news is that we have swanky new folding tables for the Pavilion,
lighter and less prone to finger amputation during setup and tear down. The
even better news is that the old tables are up for grabs. First come first
served, $10 a table, pick up at the Pavilion, one per customer please. Contact
John or Scott for details.