Dear Saskatoon Canoe Club (SCC) members,
The City of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA) are proposing to relocate the motorized boat launch from Kiwanis Park to Victoria Park, right next to the SCC boathouse.The SCC executive is strongly opposed to this.Our two major concerns are the increased potential for collisions and paddlers capsizing.
Currently, the area between the Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Gordie Howe Bridge (Circle Dr. South) is designated as a “no power boat zone”.If this area were rezoned to allow a power boat launch, there will be heavier boat traffic right around the boathouse dock, which will inevitably raise the chance of collisions.Capsizing from the wakes generated by motorized crafts is a real threat, especially to novice paddlers and some of our less stable crafts.
At the public open house held Dec. 5, 2016, Victoria Park was presented by the City and the MVA as the preferred location for the motorboat launch.On Jan. 9, the SCC executive sent a letter to Mayor and Council informing them of our safety concerns.
Despite this, and while the City claims that safety is their top priority, as of Jan. 18 the City’s Capital Planning Manager continues to state that “Victoria Park has been identified as the most suitable location.”We need your help convincing the City to consider a different location for motorized boats to launch.
Our club has over 1300 members, making us the largest single group of river users in the city!This gives us a powerful voice, but we must speak in order to be heard. Below is a letter we have created for you to send to the mayor and council. Please add your name, address and any personal experiences or concerns you’ve had with motorboats on the river.
You can print and mail a copy of your letter, or submit online to the mayor and to your councillor. Following the links, scroll down and you will find a form for your personal information and space to submit comments or attach a file
Sincerely
Your SCC Executive
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City of Saskatoon
222 3 Ave. N
Saskatoon SKS7K 0J5
January 23, 2017
Dear Mayor Clark and City Council,
As a member of the Saskatoon Canoe Club and regular user of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, I have significant concerns with the proposal of a new motorized boat launch in Victoria Park.
The area between the Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Gordie Howe Bridge is designated as a “no power boat zone”, aside from an East bank right-of-way. If this area were rezoned to allow a power boat launch, there will be heavier boat traffic right around the Victoria Boathouse dock, which will inevitably raise the chance of collisions. We are often able to avoid motorized crafts by paddling away from the downtown area, but with this proposal we will be unable avoid their wakes. Capsizing from the wakes generated by motorized crafts is a real threat, especially to novice paddlers and some of our less stable crafts. Motorboats will have to circle to maintain their position against the current while waiting to use the boat ramp.This generates irregular waves which are more difficult for paddlers to navigate than those generated by a boat travelling in a straight line.
Our club has over 1300 members, including many novice paddlers, families with children, and athletes developing balance and maneuverability.In addition, the docks in Victoria Park are used by other clubs, school groups, and the general public. With so many non-motorized crafts launching here, the addition of motor boats launching would significantly increase risks to users. Though the river may seem wide when viewed from the banks, even a slow moving motorboat can create a large enough wake to tip our boats. For capsized paddlers and rowers, self-rescue is very difficult on a river with current.
The idea that a motorboat launch and a heavily used paddling/rowing facility can be safely collocated is simply wrong. Please consider locating the permanent motorboat launch away from the busy Victoria Park Boathouse. The South Saskatchewan River provides a beautiful environment for physical activity and recreation in the City – we hope you will keep it safe for us all.
Sincerely,