Whereas there has been, and continues to be, water safety concerns at Station Beach; and
Whereas a revised Aquatic Safety Audit Report, dated 2JUN2016, was prepared by the Life Saving Society of Canada, with recommendations to improve water safety along the beachfront and the piers at Station Beach; and
Whereas Staff had recommended, and previous Councils had chosen, to implement several of the recommendations in the report;
Now Therefore be it Resolved That Council direct Staff to ensure the following recommendations agreed to by previous Councils have been implemented per the specific suggestions contained in the report, and are in good working order, by 31OC2023, with particular emphasis on:
- The No Swimming Zone
- Primary Recommendation #2: A “No Swimming” zone should be designated at least 100m south of the South Pier and 100m north of the North Pier.
- Secondary Recommendation #1 iv): Pier Signage – No Swimming and Warning – Strong Currents signage should be installed on the floor of the pier or on vertical signposts along the lake and harbor sides of both piers.
- The Safe Swimming Area
- Primary Recommendation #3: The swimming area intended for use by patrons should be clearly designated through signs, beach flags, and buoy markers.
- The Rip Current Safety Signage
- Secondary Recommendation #1 ii): Existing Rip Current Safety Signage. Simplified Rip Current signage should be provided at each access point and in other locations along the boardwalk. Sufficient signage should be located such that the warning information is visible for patrons approaching the signage from either the waterfront or the parking lot areas.
And further that Council direct Staff to complete an assessment, and report back to Council by 31DEC2023, of any actions necessary to implement the following:
- Upgrade the current exit points from the piers (i.e. the ladders) including use of ladder extensions, with such assessment to include the required work and costs to make necessary repairs, purchase additional ladder extensions, etc.
- Improve the signage associated with the Lifesaving Stations on both piers, to include a listing of the equipment staged at these stations in addition to what to do when equipment is missing, and instruction on where to locate the AED equipment,
- Repair the existing spalling damage to the concrete decks of both piers,
- Paint a 100 mm wide yellow strip ) along the perimeter edge of both piers for enhanced visibility.
And further that Council direct Staff to review, revise if required, and present to Council by 01MAR2024, the inspection program that ensures that any deficiencies in the above will be identified and addressed;
And further that Council direct Staff to report out on the status of Aquatic Safety Measures at Station Beach, annually, before 1MAY of each year.