Candle Lake upset after province closes off outhouse, fish filleting shack, boat launch

By Jaryn Vecchio

The Village of Candle Lake is looking for answers after having its outhouse and fish filleting shack closed down and its boat launch become practically unusable.

According to Mayor Terry Kostyna, this was done by the province through the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Parks, Culture, and Sport.

He explained to paNOW that village officials were told those facilities were all hazardous but didn’t get any additional information.

“That’s something we’re trying to figure out,” he said.

The village first heard rumours that the province had concerns in December and officially reached out in January to see if there was any truth to the matter.

Kostyna said the two sides had discussions over the next couple of months, but the dock at the boat launch, the outhouse and the fish filleting shack were closed off when the weather started to warm up.

He added each is a huge loss for the village and its many tourists, but the boat launch was arguably the toughest blow.

“In the core of Candle Lake, this was the only public, no-charge boat launch. There are some other small ones here and there. But they’re very small and very crowded,” said Kostyna.

There’s still optimism that the village will get all three back, but when that could happen is still up in the air.

“There’s a significant difference between confident and hopeful and at this point we’re hopeful,” added Kostyna.

Meanwhile, the province is explaining why it chose to close these specific facilities.

Joe Hargrave, the MLA for Prince Albert-Carlton, said it was done because they were in desperate need of repair.

“The facilities there were in a very poor state of repair, to the point that (the province) felt there was a safety issue,” Hargrave said.

He noted the boat launch is still technically open. Kostyna confirmed that, but added that because the dock was taken down, many if not all boaters won’t use it as the concrete could damage the boats.

Hargrave explained that once repairs are finished, the village can reopen each of the facilities.

“I’m thinking most of it will get fixed this year, maybe not the fish filleting shack but I’m optimistic that the rest can be,” he said.

In the meantime, the province is planning to set up temporary porta-potties and garbage facilities.