ANNUAL SPRING CLEAN UP AND BBQ - Saturday May 25th
The 12th Annual Spring Clean-up and BBQ will be held on Saturday May 25th, with a
rain date for the following Saturday, June 2nd. We will be distributing garbage
bags and assigning specific areas to be cleaned, commencing at 9:30 A.M. in the
mall parking lot. Our cleanup is an official Take Pride Winnipeg sponsored event.
We invite all residents to take part in the cleanup and join us at the BBQ, which
will commence at 11:30 a.m. at Island Shore Park. The same location as last year.
Again this year, the Royal Bank, Southdale Branch, is our major sponsor. They will
be supplying and cooking the hot dogs. There will be activities for the children of
all ages, including a silent auction. We are hopeful that again this year we will have
the police, ambulance, and fire departments in attendance. Their attendance depends
on availability.
We are graciously accepting and also soliciting items for the silent auction. Last year we were fortunate to have received a Star Choice Satellite Dish from Ric Paquette of Starlite Communications Inc. at Southdale Mall. We are most appreciative of this most generous donation. We also received donations from many local businesses including Canada Safeway, Canadian Tire, McDiarmid Lumber, T and T Soils, Royal Bank, Great Canadian Bagel, Shell, Green Drop Lawns, Gauthier Soils, Island Lakes Pharmacy, Island Lakes Dental Centre, Jumbo Video, Snips’n’Shears, Paulette Saunders.
We thank you for your generous support and look forward to your participation once again this year.
Should you have any questions, suggestions, and or wish to volunteer to assist with the organizing and running of the event, please contact Barb Lindsay, our coordinator of the event, at 253-7802.
MEMBERSHIPS
Total memberships received for last year was 318, an all time high. This represents
approx. 20% of the homes in Island Lakes. Somewhat disappointing in view that everyone
living in our development benefits from the achievements/successes of your Island Lakes
Res. Group. This year for the first time we will be issuing a membership card. Mr. Tim Ramsey
has graciously agreed to accept memberships at the Island Lakes Pharmacy located in our local
mall. Tim will be issuing membership cards as well. Thank-you Tim for your cooperation in
providing a convenient location for drop off. In addition we have encouraged our block captains
to be proactive in collecting memberships. Once again congratulations to Val Zurrin block
captain for Breakwater Cove who has once again successfully canvassed the whole street. We
currently have aprox. 100 paid up members. A great start in view that we have not had a newsletter
since the beginning of our new year. Please show your support by ensuring your membership is paid
in a timely fashion. All the funds are reinvested back into our development.
BLOCK CAPTAINS
When our group organized in Aug. 1989 we developed a block captain system to cover each
and every street in the development. The responsibilities of the block captains are to
promote the ILRG and their endeavors/accomplishments to their neighbours, provide the board
with feedback from your neighbours, deliver newsletters etc in a timely fashion, and in addition
to assist with the annual $10.00 membership renewals. Our current Block Captain Coordinator is
Annette Bentley ph # 257-0355. If you are unsure who your block captain is or would like to
volunteer please contact Annette. We currently require block captains for Island Cove, Waterside
Cove, Coral Reef, and Camirant Cres. including the newest streets in the development. Unfortunately
without volunteers to deliver the newsletter etc. you may miss out on some very worthwhile news about
your neighbourhood. Please remember that many hands make light work and if you leave it up to someone
else it may just not get done. What a shame for only a few hours thru out the year. Many of us
on the board put in literally 100’s of hours each and every year for the benefit of everyone in the development.
SCHOOLS
When Island Lakes first started to develop in the fall of 1985, the St Boniface School Division
had ample space in Southdale/Niakawa Place to accommodate all of the students. There were 5 school
sites identified in Island Lakes, which the St Boniface School Division had the options of taking
at any time within 5 years of when the land was developed. The first one was located by Island Shore
Park and is now know as Corbeil Place, the 2nd location was beside Waterfront Park and is now known as
Windlass Place and the 3rd location was beside Smugglers/Seigneurie Park and is now a condominium project
know as Lakeview Estates. In all instances the School Board passed and gave up their options as they did
not require the school space as they could still accommodate in Niakawa Place/ Southdale. The remaining 2
locations were the existing new Island Lakes Community School , which accommodates grades 1 – 8 and the
land adjacent to the east of it, which is now owned by the St Boniface School Division.
From the inception of the ILRG we were in continuous contact with the School Division providing population stats and requesting a school be built in Island Lakes. Our group felt that we would not mature as a community until such time as we had a school in our development to form a center to rally around. Throughout this time we continued to be in constant contact with the councilor of the time Evelyn Reese and our MLA Jack Reimer to ensure our voice was heard regarding the necessity of having a school along with the availability of a Community Center for Island Lakes. We continued to lobby and keep apprised of the School Board’s intentions in building a new school for Island Lakes as it was evident we would soon need one. As well, we continued to monitor the bussing of the students and the division’s policy on same. In 1997 along with the assistance of our MLA Mr. Jack Reimer, Linda Macintosh the then Minister of Education and our own efforts we were successful in receiving the necessary approvals to commence the process of building a K – 8 English school to accommodate 500 students. We questioned the reasoning for only a 500-school population and were advised at the time that is the limit the government builds for due to changing demographics. From years of experience the government knows that over time population and communities mature and the space is no longer required. Such was the case in Southdale and still is as they have ample space to accommodate additional students in different areas of the School Division. However the design of the Island Lakes School is such that it can easily accommodate an extension. At this point your ILRG with their community vision approached the City of Winnipeg for funding to accommodate a bigger gym and a community room for the entire community to use and benefit from. This was modeled after the Whyteridge School. We were very successful in our endeavors and with the support of Mr. Danny Vandal our city councilor we are proud to have a community multi purpose room and a larger gym for the use of the entire community. Our community room facilities and use of the gym facilities were opened in conjunction with the opening of the new school in late August. These facilities are available for community use in the evenings and as well the community room is available during the day for 40% of the time for community activities. This space is managed thru the City of Winnipeg Parks and Rec. Department and school administration with the contact person being Tannis Pshebniski the principal of the school. Currently there are several programs running both during the day and in the evenings. Please consult your City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide for programming dates and times or contact the City of Winnipeg Community Services Department at 986 – 8099.
FORESTRY
Last year Island Lakes was one of the hardest hit areas of the city for the Forest Tent Caterpillar.
We will have a similar infestation this summer, as they run in 3-4 year cycles. Outbreaks occur
about every 15 years. The City of Winnipeg Forestry dept. recommends a non-chemical insecticide,
Bacillus thuringiensis (BTK), or a chemical insecticide such as Malathion, methoxychlor, and carbaryl.
For further information on this pest, call the Bugline at 986 3210.
Last year, trees in the parks, green spaces and Berms, and along the walkways, were not sprayed, by the City of Winnipeg and we are not anticipating any change this year.
STREETS
This past summer our development was fortunate to receive extensive sidewalk repairs along Island
Shore Blvd and Waterfront. This is a direct result of your ILRG making a comprehensive list of
sidewalks requiring repair in the development. We are continuously monitoring sidewalks, streets,
and curbs, requiring repair and in turn maintain a list, which we pass along to the City of Winnipeg.
Should you have a concern about a certain location please contact Jordan Burg at 253-8179.
Last fall coinciding with the opening of our new school Island Shore Blvd was extended to connect with Blvd de la Seigneurie. A portion of Dockside Way, Henry Dormer, and George Dupuis were also constructed. New home construction in this area is well underway. Manitoba Hydro has recently installed the underground wiring for the streetlights and these should be installed and operational shortly.
We continue to both witness and hear from concerned residents about the speed of traffic in our development. We believe that our own local residents are the majority of the offenders. Please remember that the speed limit on all residential streets is 50 kms! We are considering requesting speed humps be installed at strategic locations on both Island Shore and on Blvd. de la Seigneurie. We are soliciting your feedback . Please contact Jordan Burg at 253-8179.
Last fall The City of Winnipeg Public Works Department conducted an extensive traffic study in our development. Results indicated that recorded vehicle speeds, on Island Shore Blvd. and Blvd. De La Seigneurie, south of Island lakes Drive and on Island lakes Drive, were in the range of 49-54km/h. Although excessive vehicle speeds on Island Shore Blvd. and Blvd De La Seigneurie between Bishop Grandin Blvd. and Island Lakes Drive is a primary concern, the speed study results suggest that vehicles speeds south of Island lakes Drive are well within acceptable limits at this time. Recorded traffic volumes on all 3 roadways are well below the 4,000-vehicle/day-design threshold. The volume of traffic approaching the intersection of Island Lakes Drive and Blvd. De La Seigneurie/McKall Bay represents only 24 percent of which would normally warrant all-way stop control. There have been no reported collisions at this intersection the most recent 10-year period. This Department recommends that traffic at the intersection of Island Lakes Drive and Blvd. De Las Seigneurie continue to be monitored as further development in south Island Lakes Community occurs and traffic patterns change.
A big thank – you to our developer Novamet Development Corporation for supplying and installing the Drive Slowly signs in strategic locations on our boulevards thru out the development. Hopefully this will encourage motorists to keep within the speed limit.
Several trees have been extensively damaged this past winter as a result of car accidents and have had to be removed especially along Blvd de la Seigneurie. These trees were planted approx.10 years ago. It will take some time to replace them and they will be replaced with much smaller trees. A real loss to the aesthetics of our development. Should you witness an accident or have the misfortune of being involved where either a tree or a flower planter is damaged we would appreciate your recording the license number of the vehicle involved, date, and time of the accident and filing a report at the Community Police Office. In addition we would appreciate your calling Larry Officer at 254-8261. Larry will then follow with the City of Winnipeg, MPIC will cover the cost of the replacement of the damaged tree or flowerpot provided we follow the above procedures.
If you have noticed a streetlight out on your street or elsewhere please contact Jordan Burg at 253 – 8179. Please advise whether it is completely out or going on and off as well as the exact street address.. This way Manitoba Hydro will know what repairs are required. You can also phone Manitoba Hydro directly @ 474 – 4990.
PARKS
GENERAL NEWS
We have been once again receiving phone calls from disappointed residents about irresponsible dog
owners who are allowing their pets to do their business on private property as well as in our parks.
We are aware from a recent newspaper article in The Winnipeg Free Press, that this is a major problem
all over the city and are considering substantially increasing the fines for these by law infractions.
We remind all dog owners that their pets are to be on a leash at all times and it is their responsibility
to clean up after their pet. Two hot spots are the walkway from Island Shore Bridge behind Boiselle Bay
to Lindsey Wilson Park and the green space along the lake directly in front of the current show homes on
Blvd de la Seigneurie. We have contacted Parks and Recreation and they will posting the proper signs to
advise individuals that they must keep their dogs leashed at all times and they must also clean up. It
is unfortunate that this expense must be incurred by the City of Winnipeg which is no doubt added to
everyone’s’ property taxes.
During this past winter the bench closest to Island Shore Blvd. on the Chenier Walkway was moved and modified by cutting out the top back rail to facilitate a snowboard run/jump just off the back lane of Island Shore Blvd onto the lake. We would appreciate the person/persons responsible for this vandalism to replace the damaged missing board and move the bench back to its original position as soon as possible. We would also request that the benches not be moved, and or modified. This is considered vandalism.
LINDSEY WILSON PARK
This past summer and fall saw the completion of our tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, baseball
diamond backstop and player’s benches, installation of 11 park benches and 3 garbage containers along
with approx. 80 trees throughout the park. Total cost of these improvements is approximately $40,000. The
funds came from a combination of our own funds raised over the years from our membership drive, City of Wpg.,
Novamet Development Corp. (our developer), Home Builders in our development, Manitoba Community Places Grant,
and Manitoba Hydro Tree grant program. If you haven’t visited the park to see these improvements we recommend
you do so. They are a great addition to our community and are being extremely well utilized. The ILRG Inc is
very proud of our parks and the amenities they provide to our community.
LAKES
This past winter the shoreline along lake 519, which is along Wayfarers, Camirant, and Black Pearl and is
the most southerly portion of the lakes in Island Lakes was rebuilt and rock was placed along the shoreline.
Borland Construction performed this work under contract by the City of Winnipeg. We are pleased with the
outcome of this project. We commend both the City of Winnipeg administration as well as the contractor for a
job well done. Your ILRG has been working on this issue since we first saw the new design drawings for the lake
in approximately 1993. Our comments to the City of Winnipeg administration were that we felt the shorelines
would be subject to erosion and we were concerned with the missing rock revetment, as it did not conform to the
other lakes already in existence. We also felt it was not aesthetically pleasing. We were looking for conformity
through out the development. The city advised at the time that there was no concern for erosion and it would look
better in the long run as there would be grass right to the waters edge. Once erosion was quite evident the ILRG
once again approached the City and were initially told nothing would be done as it was now private property and
homeowners were now responsible. We were not satisfied with this answer and neither were the homeowners. With a
joint effort between homeowners, the reputation/influence of our ILRG and the cooperation of Councilor Vandal and
City administration an independent engineer’s report was commissioned. The results of the engineers report
recommended shoreline restoration to correct the problem. On behalf of the homeowners and the ILRG we would
like to thank Councilor Vandal and the City Administration for a job well done. This is another example of
the value of having a well-organized residents group. This is not possible without the support of dedicated
volunteers in our group who spend many hours of their own time for the benefit of others.
WEEDS AND SANITATION
The ILRG has once again contacted the City of Winnipeg Transit requesting additional garbage containers to
be placed at bus stops where litter is a concern. We are hopeful of receiving an additional 3-4 containers.
While this may not cover all the required locations, we will once again next spring request extras as required.
If you are aware of a location which requires a garbage bin, please contact Barb Lindsay, your Weeds and Sanitation Chairperson at 253 7892. These containers are emptied on our regular garbage pick up day.
A reminder to dispose of household hazardous waste safely by taking it to a hazardous waste collection depot. Hazardous waste, which includes products such as leftover paint, aerosol cans, varnish remover, insect repellent, cleaners, (toilet,oven,drain)car batteries, chemical lawn fertilizers, paint brush cleaners/solvents, propane cylinders, antifreeze, BBQ and camping fuel, swimming pool chemicals, weed and insect killer, gasoline. Use as much of the product as possible before disposing of it. Maybe a neighbour or family member could use it.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DEPOT: Miller Environmental Corporation, 65 Trottier Bay (off Chevrier Blvd.) Ph. 925 9615. Open the first and last Saturday of each month from April until the end of September, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For information or advice on weed control, identification of weeds, use of herbicides, or to register weed complaints, citizens may call the Public Works, Customer Service Center at 986 7623. It is the responsibility of property owners to destroy weeds as often as necessary to prevent growth, scattering, and ripening of weeds and weed seeds on all land within the City of Winnipeg.
Should you wish to learn about composting, call the Compost Info line at 925 3777, or visit the web site at www.resourceconservation.mb.ca.
Island Lakes has been chosen as one of the 10 neighbourhoods in Winnipeg to participate in a special trial yard waste collection program for the 2002 growing season. All you are required to do is place the following yard waste items (grass clippings, leaves, and plants) in a separate yard waste container, such as garbage can or special yard waste paper bags available at many stores including Canadian Tire and Home Depot. Place the containers on the following Day 5 Garbage days for pick up: May 15th and 30th; June 13th and 27th; July 12th and 26th; Aug.12th and 26th; Sept.10th and 24th; Oct.8th and 23rd. If you require further information contact the Customer Service Center at 986-5858.
DID YOU KNOW?
A City of Winnipeg by-law prohibits the storage of your out of season recreational vehicles on your
driveway or along the side of your home. In addition there is to be only 1 additional vehicle parked
on your driveway per garage stall, i.e. single garage allows only 1 vehicle, double garage 2 vehicles,
triple garage 3 vehicles. This does not apply to temporary visitors. There appears to be a number of
residents who appear to be unaware of this city by-law Should you require further information, please
contact the City of Wpg. Zoning Department at 986 5140.
ADVERTISING
(see advertisers...)
In the last four issues, we have been including advertising to help offset our printing costs of
approximately $500. per newsletter, depending upon the number of pages. Advertising cost is currently
$200. for a complete page, $100. for one-half page, one third $75, and $50 for ¼ page, and $25 for a
business card size ad. Artwork must be supplied. We are limiting advertising to residents and or
businesses of Island Lakes whose annual membership is paid. An inexpensive way to promote your business
as each and every household in Island Lakes receives a copy of this newsletter, (approx. 1500 households)
excluding the apartment blocks.
If you are interested in advertising in upcoming editions, please contact any board member listed in this publication, or Lindsey Wilson at 254 6391.
POPULATION STATS
Our development continues to grow!! With the current condition of the hot real estate market several
new homes are currently under construction. For the period Jan. 1st – April 30th 33 Single Family
Dwelling Construction Permits have been issued for Island Lakes to April 30th. In the past we have
been reporting population stats, which we were obtaining, utilizing the R3X postal code. We have now
learned the R3X postal code also includes Royal Wood. We will now be unable to provide population
statistics unless some of our readers are aware of another source to obtain this info. Canada Post
records indicate there are currently 1431 homes, and 180 apartments in Island Lakes. Welcome to all
our new residents!! We know you will enjoy living in the best Neighbourhood in Winnipeg! We encourage
your household to become a member of the Island Lakes Residents' Group and support activities in your
community. For a $10 membership fee, you can help make a difference.
MALL NEWS
Many of our readers will have noticed the recent sign at the mall indicating a new addition. Mall management
advises this will only happen should a suitable tenant be found. All space in the mall is now either occupied
or spoken for. Rainbow Day Care will shortly be expanding to the empty space between themselves and Calabria
Pizzeria.
Since our last news letter Calabria Pizzeria has opened occupying the former Miss Molly’s location. This is 2nd location for Calabria with their other location well established in Whiteridge. Check out their advertisement elsewhere in this newsletter.
Island Lake Convenience Store has also opened in recent months. Their hours of business are from 7.00AM to 10.00 P.M.
We welcome and wish both businesses continued success.
As mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter Mr. Tim Ramsey our local pharmacist at Island Lakes Pharmacy has kindly agreed to accept your memberships. Thanks Tim!!!
We encourage Island Lakes Residents to support the businesses in our mall. They provide many valuable services to our community.
FLOWER POTS
5th ANNUAL GARAGE SALE
The 5th Annual Island Lakes Garage Sale will be held on Saturday September 14th, 2002. Last years was once
again a tremendous success from all reports. All that you need to do is be ready to sell and, of course,
ensure your membership is current. The ILRG organizes the advertising at no cost to the participants. We
include advertising in the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Sun, as well as other media outlets. We
encourage all participants in the garage sale to ensure that their annual membership of $10. is paid
and is current for the year. Should you organize your own garage sale on a different date the newspaper
advertising would no doubt $10. and you wouldn’t receive the same response from 100’s of shoppers.
This is another worthwhile activity organized by your ILRG for your convenience. We are aware of many
people who come from all parts of the city and rural areas for this annual event. It also helps to heighten
the awareness of our community.
SUMP PUMPS
City of Winnipeg regulations stipulate that sump pump discharge pipes are to be placed so that water
drains away from your home and into your yard, not onto a neighbour's property or onto the street. Should
you have any questions about your sump pump or trouble spots in the neighbourhood, please direct your calls
to the Water and Waste Dept, City of Winnipeg 986 5858. Residents who live on corner lots have in the past
been given written permission from the City of Wpg. to drain their sump pumps into their household sewer system.
GREEN TEAM
Once again last year we were successful in being a sponsor of this worthwhile program for the eighth
straight year. We were very fortunate to have Janelle Valcourt for our Green Team. Thanks Janelle
for a job well done! Janelle kept our development looking great throughout July and August. Thanks
also to Lorna Smith for filling the position of volunteer supervisor. We have just been notified
that we have been approved once again for 1 position for the upcoming summer months. This will be
our 9th year that we have participated in The Green Team program. We had once again this year applied
for 3 positions as our community continues to expand. The position is open to a full time student,
between the ages of 16-24 living in Island Lakes. Duties will include keeping Island Lakes free of
litter, planting/watering flowers, pulling weeds, maintenance of the play area in all four parks,
painting of park benches and other misc. duties. Length of the position is normally 9 weeks. Should
any student be interested, please forward your resume to 15 Island Cove. We also require a volunteer
to act as the supervisor for this position. Without a supervisor, we will be unable to participate in
this year's program.
CAR WASH
The ILRG has once again been successful in being selected as a participant in Armorall's National
Car Wash Day on May 25th. Armorall provides all the necessary supplies, including pails, sponges,
and Armorall products. This is an excellent fund raiser for the ILRG. Ken Byers at the Shell Station
has kindly offered us the space and water for the event. Thanks Ken
In view of the Car Wash taking place on the same day as the clean up and BBQ, we will be holding a wash your own vehicle car wash. We will be providing all the necessary items to wash your car. Should there be volunteers willing to wash vehicles we will be able to provide interior cleaning as well. If you can assist, please contact Lorne Robinson 254 3472. Revenue generated will go towards our many worthwhile community projects
ILRG WEBSITE
As mentioned in our last newsletter we are continuing to work towards having our own web site.
We are excited to announce that Terry Bentley is currently in the process of refining the site,
which is now up and running. There is a considerable amount of work to be done in preparing the content.
Terry has done a fantastic job in preparing this site and we are excited to get your feedback and
suggestions for what you would like to see. We know you will be very pleased. It is our intention to
have our latest newsletter along with previous editions, items of interest such as upcoming events,
telephone numbers of our board. current issues being worked on, Hot links to City of Winnipeg web site,
including the assessment branch, a feedback feature. Stay tuned for further details. Our web site
address is currently www.zoomalley.com/ILRG
(now www.islandlakes.org). Terry is currently working on a more easily identifiable
address to our group’s name.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Neighbours watching out for neighbours. The most important thing is – get involved. Crime Prevention
is everyone’s responsibility and the safest communities are those where the residents are committed to
crime prevention and the Neighbourhood Watch program. Someone on your block must be designated as a
block captain . 66% of the households on the block must have at least one resident attend a Neighbourhood
Watch New Members meeting. Remember: Without volunteers – this program does not work. Get involved!
Contact your local Citizens for Crime Awareness chapter or the Winnipeg Police Community Services Division
at 986-6322. or also at www.city.winnipeg.mb.ca/police.