Spring is just around the corner … maybe. Sooner or later it will finally snow for the last time this winter and the weather will finally warm up. Then the green grass will show through and it will be time for those hot summer days on the water.
Life at the lake was busy last year with the many new Annual Campers setting up their lots the way they want them, and meeting their neighbors. This year we will see even more new families getting comfortable at the lake as several lots were taken at the end of last summer, and quite a few lots have been taken this spring too. The Resort is now well over 85% full with more and more people looking to move on to the few remaining available lots. Thank you so much to all of you for referring your family and friends to us and I hope that they are happy with the lots they eventually selected. If you know of anyone else interested in a lot, please have them contact me soon, before it is too late.
I am happy to say that our construction is now officially complete. The roads are done, and almost all of the lots are ready to use. The area is now formally subdivided and property taxes will be assessed to each lot separately this year. Some people are building cabins and a few areas have small jobs to do, so there will still be construction equipment working here and there throughout the summer. I expect that these small jobsites will always keep popping up, but I honestly hope that we will never have to worry about a large scale construction period at the lake again. Whenever you and your neighbor are both ready, you are welcome to remove the pink survey flags that mark the lines between your lots. Wooden stakes, other colored flags as well as pink flags next to common property can also be removed, but please leave the pink flags that mark empty lots. All metal pegs must be permanently left in place.
There were many complaints received last year about people being too noisy, too messy, having too many guests, driving on the grass, entering someone’s lot, using offensive language, making too much smoke, having too much light, having too much garbage, going too fast as well as numerous other things. Please remember that we are a family community and it is your responsibility to respect your neighbor’s right to enjoy their lot. Parties, power tools, ATV’s, music, children, pets, noise, campfires, yard decorations as well as other adult activities are often enjoyed by different people in different ways. Please get to know your neighbors and respect their right to enjoy the Resort, however they wish to or need to. This is especially true of common property and the road behind the Resort.
Several people have told me that they are interested in forming groups to share a dock. I believe that this is the best way to allow everyone to have a boat in the water. Also, it has been suggested that there are many abandoned buoys, floats and anchors in the common dock area and that we, as a community, should remove them to make room for new boats and docks. If you have a buoy in the water that you use, please identify it with your lot number so that it will not be removed during this clean up. To be put in touch with people with similar ideas for this area, please contact events@fawcettlakeresort.com .
Often, I am asked for a summary of when payments need to be made. Put simply, four times a year on the following dates you will have an amount due. Invoices will normally be issued by email, and you should always ensure you get a receipt after making each payment, otherwise there is a risk that it will not get applied to your account.
- May 15 – Administration Fee and the Lot Fee (less any portion already paid)
- June 30 – property taxes and winter power bill
- – Sept 15 – $525 (incl GST). This counts as part of your Lot Fees for the new season
- Nov 30 – summer power bill and store account
These payments are all listed in your lease agreement and you should already be aware of these due dates. I stress that everyone should read their lease agreement and be aware that it will expire on September 15 (of your chosen year). Note that various government regulations and the Resort Rules are also part of this agreement and you are obligated to make your family and all of your guests aware of your responsibilities. Specific rules and regulations that are worth mentioning this year include:
- All development on your lot must be pre-approved if it will last more than seven days (that is considered permanent to us). In many cases, a Development Permit will also be needed from the Municipal District. More information is available on our website.
- We are a natural area and wildlife will always be present, even if not desired. To discourage animals, all garbage & compost must be kept in airtight containers, and removed from the Resort. The law requires that wildlife must be respected and protected both on and off the Resort.
- Docks are to be removed from the lake each winter, before the water freezes. Also, docks may not be stored within 10 meters of the shoreline without special permission. Fines assessed by the government for infractions will be extremely severe.
- Disturbing the ground under the lake (the lakebed) is normally not permitted. This includes beach cleaning and driving an ATV in the lake. A general rule is “don’t get the tools or the tires wet.”
- ATVs are considered vehicles in the eyes of the law. Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to operate an ATV without proper supervision. Also, operating an ATV while intoxicated is the same as Drunk Driving. Charges will be laid and you will lose your driver’s license.
- In the past, permission would often be given to use fireworks on the Resort. With our increased population, this has become a regular request leading to complaints about the late night noise. Permission will no longer be given and the use of fireworks will not be permitted on the Resort other than the night of the community Canada Day celebrations. Anyone is welcome to light fireworks on the common beach, immediately before the main show, without previous permission.
- Alcohol may not be consumed or openly carried on common property, unless special event permission has been obtained for a defined area
- Fishing in the east end of Fawcett Lake is closed every spring until Canada Day. This means fishing from the docks, shoreline or boats in front of the Resort is not allowed in May or June.
- Areas within and around the Resort are considered high risk for forest fires. All campfires must be in an approved location and must be supervised at all times. Cigarettes, fireworks, candle lanterns, ATVs and other potential fire starters should always be used with extreme caution.
We are still looking for someone who is interested in running the store.This is a fairly flexible business opportunity that would let you be at the lake while maybe making a little money too. Please contact me if you have any questions.
As with every year there will be a meeting of all Annual Campers on the Sunday of the May long weekend, just outside the main community building (the store) at 1.00pm. Everyone is invited to come listen to what is going on at the Resort this summer, and to participate in planning the events. Bring your family, some lawn chairs, and also bring any ideas or topics that you would like to have discussed this year. If you have a big issue, please get it put on the agenda ahead of time by sending a message to events@fawcettlakeresort.com.
See you at the Lake