Richard Froese

For the Lakeside Leader

Big Lakes County is endorsing Spruce Point Park Association in a provincial grant application for funding for a project to extend a breakwater on Lesser Slave Lake.

Council agreed at its July 23 meeting to write a letter for the association, to be included with its Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant application.

The association had informed the county that its expression of interest in the CFEP grant got a good response, so they were moving to the ‘full application stage,’ with a deadline of July 30.

The county’s letter of support will mention that the county holds over $500,000 in trust for Spruce Point Park, along with additional funds in capital reserves.

“These funds will be used to match the grant,” says SPPA manager Linda Wedmid in a letter to the county, “significantly enhancing our chances of success.”

According to a Sept. 6, 2024 story in the High Prairie South Peace News, the association believes the longer breakwater will help maintain access to the lake from the marina in times of low water. Wedmid is quoted in that article, saying the extensions is “vital in order to remain operational for the future.”