With the wind forecast again calling for strong east and southeast winds Friday and Saturday, the Harbour Master & Assistant Harbour Master (Mark Vanderlinden and Bob Iveson) called for volunteers to put in just the standing docks. This happened Thursday, June 4.

The hardy souls who worked with Mark and Bob are Mike Morris, Len Eddy, Dwayne Kegler, Tim Bowles and Winston Childs.

Treasurer Don Simoneau wrote, "Never have so many owed so much to so few." Man, can that guy turn a phrase! 😉

Commodore Tim reports that masks were worn and all safety precautions taken. And there was innovation: the stanchions were floated out; much easier. (Our stanchions are beastly metal frames that sit on the lake bottom and hold up the standing dock sections.)

The plan now is to keep an eye on the weather forecast and put the floating docks in on the first nice day we have, which may be the middle of next week.

Please email us if you can be available to help install the remaining docks. We will give people as much notice as possible but that may be be only one day's notice.

An update from your Board

The revised Government of Alberta directives allow us to begin EYC operations.

Here are your quick facts :

• May 30 Weekend – Docks In  and  Washroom access
• June 6 – Full Access to Hurry Inn including Overnight Stays in Cabins and Trailers
• June 6 or 13 – Crane In (SBYC to confirm date)
  
• Fees for 2020 (membership, moorage & cabin/trailer spot) will be 20% less than the 2019 fees.
• Washrooms will be open, but no access to Kitchen or other parts of the Clubhouse.
• Access to the Club will be limited to Members only and their Family Cohort.

As Individuals and as a Club there are several conditions we have to meet to open and remain open this summer including 2M (6 feet) Social Distancing, Signage, and proper Cleaning and Disinfecting.

With Docks-In fast approaching, the Covid-19 Committee and Harbor Masters are working on the details & protocols and acquiring PPE. They will communicate the plan to membership in the next couple of days.

This is a new journey for all of us, and our Members' safety will continue to guide us as we work through this season and will do our best to update you as things progress.

Many thanks to the Covid-19 Committee of Don Simoneau, Terry Chugg and Don Iveson for doing the leg work, reaching out to AHS and preparing the reports that have enabled the Board to make an informed decision to proceed with the Season. The committee will also continue their work helping to implementing the various protocols required to enable EYC to operate this season.

EYC members should have received links to the Covid-19 Committee's Recommendations and Full Report in out May 21 email newsletter. There is much useful material in those documents.

Hello all, here is the latest from your Board of Directors regarding the upcoming season:

It is unlikely we will be putting docks in May 9 and mid-summer is a more realistic goal.

Due to this uncertainty, invoicing will be delayed and membership dues will be payable June 1.

Fees will be reduced, but again, due to the uncertainty we don’t know by how much.

Members should also be aware that if we can’t put the Docks in this season, The Club would still incur fixed costs of $25,000 to $30,000. This amount assumes we do not hire staff and the maintenance of Hurry Inn and the Clubhouse is done by volunteers. The basic Membership Dues of $673 would cover these fixed costs, so that is something for Members to consider. Potentially there are other ways the Club could address this shortfall but these won’t be addressed unless it becomes obvious the season will be lost.

The Board has formed a Committee whose purpose is to advise the Board on the feasibility of Docks In and Operations for this year. They will be gathering more information from the Village of Seba Beach and County of Parkland. They will also strive to get additional details on recent Provincial and Federal Government regulations and how they specifically apply to EYC. The Committee will also be drawing on the expertise of our fellow Club Members in Government and Healthcare. The Committee consists of Don Simoneau and Terry Chugg. Comments can be emailed to Don at treasurer@edmontonyachtclub.ca.

As we gather more information over the next several weeks we will provide updates through the Newsletter.

Our goal is to Enable the Members to enjoy the club for at least part of the summer – but only if it is safe and responsible to do so

We received this email December 14, 2019, from Fallis resident Shirley Munro...

I am sending this out as a mass community email for anyone that may be interested.  For the past year, the Wabamun Physician and Health Care Professionals Recruitment and Retention Committee (WPHCPRRC) has been working hard to recruit a physician or health care professional for the Wabamun Medical Clinic. We are very close to having this become a reality with one hurdle left to accomplish -- obtaining funds primarily for the salary of a Medical Office Assistant (MOA) or Receptionist.

The Clinic has been operational for many decades, however it has now been closed for about 4 1/2 years after the sudden passing of the physician practicing there, and also due to the dissolution of the Physician Management Group that subsequently worked there on a part-time basis.

WPHCPRRC was recently approved to have a Nurse Practitioner work 4 days per week.  A NP has similar skills as a physician and can independently provide all necessary health services for a Family Medical Clinic.   

The existing building, associated overhead expenses, technology costs, and salary for the NP have been agreed to be assumed by the Wabamun Village and the Westview Primary Care Network in Spruce Grove.  

The Wabamun and Area Medical Society (WAMS) was recently formed as the fund-raising arm of WPHCPRRC and has an initial short-term goal of $10,000 to hire a MOA to allow the Clinic doors to open and start operating. We have recently sent out 1700 letters to residents, non-profit groups, and Community Halls in Wabamun and the surrounding area, and we are pursuing grant applications and other fund-raising avenues for long-term health service delivery.

As one of our fund-raisers, the Wabamun All Seasons Bottle Depot (5117-52 St.) has agreed to collect any donated bottle return refunds for WAMS account during December and January.  A Wabamun Village Bottle Drive will also be held January 4 from 10-4 (poster attached).

We hope that you will donate your bottle returns to WAMS and towards the reopening of the Wabamun Medical Clinic. We believe that health care is an important service for a community, and Wabamun is fortunate to have this opportunity with the support of the stakeholder commitments.

WAMS extends gratitude for your generosity and support in contributing towards this valuable service for the residents of Wabamun and surrounding area.

There is also office space for lease (10ft x 11ft) in the Clinic Building.  Proceeds from the lease would be used towards the salary of the MOA.  Contact the Wabamun Village at 780-892-2699 for more information.

If you write to the EYC Webmaster, we'll pass on your questions & feedback to Shirley.

Sunshine Bay Yacht Club's Fleet Captain, John Semple wrote to us...

Hello sailors.

Lawrence Lemieux (bio) will be holding a free sailing clinic for the day on June 15, 2019.

Those wanting to attend should be in the SBYC club house by 09:30 where Lawrence will give a short talk about what will be covered for the day.

It is preferred that you have at least 3 people on your boat.

The morning session will focused on mark rounding and starting line practice.

There will be a break for lunch on shore (bring your own lunch), where there will be some discussion on running your spinnaker followed by more on water drills, practicing raising, lowering and jibing your spinnaker.

If time permits a couple of short practice races will be held to round up the day.

If you are planning on attending RSVP to me at jsemple03@gmail.com.

John Semple
SBYC Fleet Captain

The Northern Alberta Sailing College at Seba Beach in 2019 welcomes all sailing and lake loving residents back

The Northern Alberta Sailing College (NASC) offers several learn-to-sail programs at the Edmonton Yacht Club this summer. These lessons are open to the general public.

On Saturdays, we have junior sailing in the Optimist class sailboat for those around 10 years of age. On Sundays, there are lessons for novice sailors who are 13 years and up.
NASC will be teaching sailing at EYC during the week of July 29 to August 2. There will be instruction for younger sailors in the mornings and older students in the afternoons.

Please go to the NASC website at www.northernalbertasailingcollege.com for more information.

Welcome back and we are looking forward to sun filled days with fair winds.

John Henderson,
President – Northern Alberta Sailing College

WASA, the Wabamun Area Stewardship Association, is a group of people concerned about a proposal to develop a large campground on the north shore of Wabamun Lake. Here is some recent news from WASA...

Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m at the Fallis Community Hall.

Update:
1.  Samco's appeal for the Campground permit application was rejected by Parkland County's Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) on Feb 12 on the basis that the development is not compatible with surrounding land uses and affected parties.  Samco can reapply for a Campground permit again in 1 year (Feb.12, 2020).  No activity related to campground development can occur until that time. Samco can apply for other developments approved under Agricultural zoning until that time.

2.  Samco failed to apply for a Leave to Appeal with Parkland County by March 14.  His case therefore cannot proceed to the Court of Appeal.

3.  Samco has been observed hauling in approximately 125 - 150 loads of black dirt from Edson since Feb 13. There has been no observed activity on the site for the past 30 days. According to Parkland County, Samco can haul in dirt and can spread it as long as it is less than 6" deep.

4.  WASA will remain active in opposition to Samco's previously proposed 300 RV lot Campground development.  Concerned community citizens have made it very clear that they are not in favor of this type of development on that site. WASA will continue to advocate for the environment and Lake Wabamun depending on any future proposed developments on the site.

5. Samco remains under investigation with AB Environment.  They have yet to remediate deficiencies identified by AB Env under the Water Act Enforcement Order.

Membership Request:
Many of you on the WASA email list were included as a result of email addresses that were shared by concerned neighbors.  WASA is wanting to create a membership list of those persons that would like to remain informed of the Samco development on Lake Wabamun.

As a result, WASA is requesting that each of you receiving this email, indicate that you either want to, or don't want to remain members by emailing me back. The distribution list will be developed based on those persons requesting to remain on WASA's email list.  Please also send your mailing address as WASA discovered that addresses are required to determine "standing" with any future Hearings with Parkland County. Your information will remain confidential.

Gratitude:
Thank-you again to all that made monetary contributions for legal fees to WASA for the Appeal Hearing, and also to those that spoke at the Hearing.  WASA could not have stopped Samco's proposed Campground development without your support.  Take pride in knowing that you have made a significant difference for the community, the enviroment and for Lake Wabamun now and for future generations.  I am extremely grateful and humbled by the support provided.

WASA is hopeful that we will not need to pursue legal avenues again, however we will remain vigilant to protect the people, the land and the water if necessary. Any monies that remain in our account will be used for future concerns regarding the Samco site. The WASA membership will determine the use and disbursement of leftover funds if the Association is no longer needed and dissolves in the future.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  

My sincerest gratitude,
Shirley Munro
Chair of WASA
falliscommunity@gmail.com

Fresh water only, last sailed in Great Slave Lake. Exterior of boat newly painted, no fibreglass blisters. Yamaha 9.9 gasoline motor serviced yearly. 30-foot mast, with white, green and red light on top.

Interior liner replaced in 2018. Two Fluke anchors, weight 16 pounds, 18 feet of heavy chain and 350 feet of new anchor rope. Sails in excellent condition: one Genoa, one 135 Genoa, one Storm Jib, one Main, and one Spinnaker.

New depth finder, new compass, stove to heat cabin, counter top, alcohol cook stove and sink (no toilet). Draft with keel up 30”, swing keel down 60”, manual sump pump, fire extinguisher, new electrical wiring with exterior and interior lights. Four-wheel cradle trailer for transportation, launching and retrieving boat from water.

Asking $14,000. Located in Westlock, 60 miles north of Edmonton. Inquiries can be sent to Ken and Shirley Bibby, 780-307-1154, email: sbibby@live.com.

Here are the preliminary plans for celebrating 2018.

Location: EYC Clubhouse
Date: November 3rd, Cocktails at 5:00, Dinner at 6:00
Menu: Pig Roast w/ appies, salad, sides, desert

Need volunteers to assist with Setup and Cleanup.

Cost TBD but in the range of $20 to $25 for adults, $10 for kids under 18.

We are looking into the possibility of transportation from and to the city. Depends on cost.

The Endurance/Night race ran August 25 and 26. Due to some calculation errors, the results have changed. First and second place have exchanged positions. Below are the new results, archives along with pictures.

The Fall Series ran September 8 and 9. Results and winner photos follow.

A great summer of Pursuit Racing competition and fellowship has come to an end! Fugitive (Terry and Rob) finished the year first overall with Point of Order (Don and Sarah) coming in a very close second. Accrewed Interest (Sue Styles, SBYC) placed third.

This is the first year in a long time a night race has been run so only six boats participated. By all accounts it was a very challenging and rewarding night – consider participating next year!

Alberta Cup was a classic Wabamun fall race with winds varying from barely a whisper to over 20 knots. Sunday racing was postponed until Monday due to high winds. Four Competitors were able to compete on Monday and Point of Order (Don and Sarah) came away with the win.

This year's Splice the Mainbrace race will take place September 22 and 23. The Notice of Race, Registration Form and Course Layout are in this document. Write to EYC Fleet Captain Tim Bowles at fleetcaptain@edmontonyachtclub.ca if you have questions.

(What's this mainbrace and why does it need splicing? "Originally an order for one of the most difficult emergency repair jobs aboard a sailing ship...")