Fix the problem of boat access to the lake via the Lesser Slave River and then let’s talk about developing Old Town. That was the general conclusion at a meeting last week on the future of Slave Lake’s Old Town area, held at The Point Steakhouse. Sponsored jointly by the Town of Slave Lake and the M.D. of Lesser Slave River, the meeting sought public input on the future of the area along the river between the lake and the Hwy. 88 bridge.
“Do we want a board walk along the river?” asked M.D. Manager Jack Ramme. “Retail development? Can we make it a focal point of the community?” He cited Cold Lake as an example of just such a development.
Some discussion revolved around setting up a historical village type of tourist development, in the style of a fur trading post. At least three people spoke up in favour of such a concept, and others raised their hands to indicate support.
In fact nobody spoke up against such an idea, although one beachside resident said he doesn’t consider more tourists a good thing. But several people pointed out that access to the lake is still the main drawing card for tourism. All other efforts to attract people hinge on that.
“I have people telling me they aren’t coming back because of that,” said Grant Gramiak of Norm’s Walleye Camp. “They’re going to Spruce Point or the other end of the lake.”
The key to long-term tourism prosperity here at the east end of the lake is reliable boat launching, Gramiak said, and many agreed with him. A dredging program might solve the problem, but how does one go about getting it approved?
“They’re dredging (at marinas) all along the lake,” said The Point owner Bill Lukan. “I don’t see why we can’t get it done here.”
Such a project would require the approval of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), which has jurisdiction over navigable waterways. Ramme said he isn’t optimistic about getting permission from the DFO.
“I honestly don’t think they’ll ever approve an annual dredging program because it’s a fish-bearing stream,” he said.
Henri Soulodre of the Land and Forest Service struck a more hopeful chord on that score.
“There are ways of making it happen,” he said. “We might have to do something to compensate (for loss or disturbance of fish habitat).”
Soulodre suggested somebody approach the DFO, “to see what would sway them,” as a first step before making other plans about Old Town development. If the dredging program could be secured, “we could develop a plan based on that linchpin.”
It might be difficult to get the green light for a dredging program, particularly if the feds don’t recognized the river mouth area as a ‘harbour.’ But Town/M.D. Economic Development Officer Steve Lane plans to contact the DFO and include its response in his report to both councils on the outcome of the meeting.

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