April 16, 2010
To all Lambton Shores Council members:
I own 38 Hill St. in Grand Bend. This week I received a letter about Volley Ball on the Beach this summer. Initially I was not disturbed by this. I had no objection to a family volley ball league.
However, in checking out the website for this company, I discovered that he claims you are allowing them to set up 15 courts for nearly the whole summer!
Last year the noise from the volleyball tournament on the North Beach was quite disruptive. The volleyball courts last summer took up so much of the beach there was hardly any room for the people.
I found some material from the ‘Not So Pro” Beach Volleyball Tour (also linked to PVB Canada) that has been on the Grand Bend Beach other years.
From their website: “and it's not just Beach Volleyball - we've got a great DJ pumping the tunes all weekend, after-sports Beach Parties in the evenings, a huge beer tent for food and beverages, and during your time off from playing, there are lots of fun and outrageous social games to win great prizes.”
This is one thing on the main beach and quite another when it is surrounded by a residential area, as it is on the North Beach. This was unacceptable for those of us subjected to the noise last year. According to the website, this year they will be operating 2 nights per week and every weekend!!!!
The material below is from the website of PVB Canada:
League Play - The North beach of Grand Bend will house 15 Olympic grade beach volleyball courts this summer facilitating adult programing from June 2 - August 18, 2010.
We are looking for energetic male and female adult athletes looking to make beach volleyball a weekly activity throughout the 2010 summer. 4-on-4 and 6-on-6 leagues will be offered. Following league nights league members will be afforded meal and drink specials through local Grand Bend Pubs and Bars.
It is the sheer scale of this endeavor that has me most upset. On the same website are detailed dates and registration for a 5 weekend series of tournaments. Council approved a DRAFT agreement. The website for PVB Canada does not make it appear that way.
I must offer my strongest objections to this use of the north beach.
Who is responsible for the noise and or clean-up? As we have lost parking, where will these new arrivals park? The path to the beach was also blocked or very awkward and difficult for parents and children during last year’s tournament. The noise from the courts was intrusive. It was also very crowded as there was less space for everyone. The loss of beach on the south beach side has pushed more people to the north beach.
I submit that allowing PVB Canada to use the North Beach all summer is an incompatible use of the beach and detracts from and interferes with the family friendly image that the new south beach development is encouraging.
If renters don’t return every year, the village and I both have a problem. This format of volleyball also does not seem compatible with the concept of environmental stewardship and the goals of a Blue flag beach.
From the Municipality of Lambton Shores Official Plan:
Section 18 Lakeshore
OBJECTIVES
18.2
To promote public accessibility of the lakeshore.
To preserve the unique qualities of the lakeshore environment within the Municipality.
To ensure the long term stability of the beach area by ensuring all uses have regard to sound resource management policies
I am dismayed that there has been no public notification until the letter from PVB Canada arrived. It does not detail the scale intended by the operator like the website does.
There is apparently little or no concern for the residents or land owners in the village or for those of us most affected by council’s decisions. There must be a better process to keep us informed.
I can be reached at this email address or by phone 519-273-0918.
Sincerely;
Sharon Weitzel
38 Hill St.
Grand Bend, On
R.R. 2
TAVISTOCK, ON
N0B 2R0
