COBDEN — The Cobden Beach is closed for the season.
The swim raft has been removed, noted Bill Misener, public works manager for the Township of Whitewater Region.
In his report discussed at council last night, Mr. Misener noted the raft was removed July 24 and signs erected advising the beach was closed due to high bacteria levels and blue green algae. As well as signs posted at the beach, he advised signs were posted at other access points to Muskrat Lake.
When Councillor Chris Olmstead questioned if the beach would re-open, Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons said Margaret Coady from the Renfrew County District Health Unit advised there would no more testing done at the beach this season.
“it’s the highest E.coli testing they’ve ever had and the algae blooms are everywhere, so the beach is now closed for the rest of the season,” she said, adding, “I hate to say this, but I don’t think Cobden Beach will be useable for the foreseable future due to our environmental problems.”
While the second session of swim lessons were held at Wilderness Tours this year, CAO FitzSimons said next year it’s hoped both sessions will be held at Little Lakes in Beachburg.
Mayor Hal Johnson is hopeful permission will be granted to put sand into the beach at Little Lakes.
Mr. Misener said, “We’re working on that with the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources). I took them out there the other day, told them the problems we’re having (in Cobden) and showed them that lake.”
It was agreed that after this year’s swim season, sand could be added.
