Welcome to 2026!

  

 

Hi to all our followers and welcome to this update about the past year's activities and issues.

I'll be publishing any material we sent to the current Council in Lambton Shores in 2025.

 A big issue for us (LSCA) is the fact that letters only go on the agenda of Council if a council member asks for that document to be reviewed. All letters are routinely sent to a reading folder for all Councillors, however they can choose to do nothing.  

We have been fortunate that we have been able to get our letters on the agenda but it is extra time and effort as we must ask a Councillor to do this.  I am not sure everyone is aware of this roadblock.

In addition, the wider community has no idea what issues other community members or our association are having unless these letters are available on the agenda. They disappear down a black hole.  

This process feels like it was adopted to keep letters off the agenda and hide dissent or issues of concern the municipality would rather ignore. I feel this is a reduction in accountability.  Council should be far more responsive to any concerns-SW

 

 

 

Lambton Shores & Volleyball Again???

     

 

 Photo: NSP (Not So Pro Volley Ball) North Beach 2013

 Below is our letter to Council.  Council meets Feb. 9th 2021 virtually so you can all find out what they had to say.  I can not believe we are defending the North Beach again.

 In addition we sent our original legal opinion.  This is a serious issue for us all.

 

 

Letter to Council Dec. 12 2020 by lamptonshoresc

 

 

 

Legal Opinion 2020 by lamptonshoresc

No Public Record?!?!

Jan 6th LSCA sent in our annual Update to Council.  We outline all the issues and concerns observed and reported to us by our members. In communication with the Clerk for Lambton Shores I asked to be informed WHEN our concerns  would be before Council ie) which Agenda.  The answer shocked us. 

From the clerk: We do not put “all other correspondence” on the agenda.  “All other correspondence” is provided to Council in their weekly correspondence package and a member of Council can ask for inclusion on an upcoming agenda.  This practice has been in place since March 2017.


This means there is no public record of any concerns or issues from the public on any agenda and we find this disturbing. Below IS our public record. Stay tuned!

Jan 6th Letter:

Lambton Shores Community Association

P.O. Box 1016

Grand Bend, ON

N0M 1T0

 Jan 6,2020                                                                                                              

 To the Mayor, Members of Lambton Shores Council and CAO;

                                       

The Lambton Shores Community Association would like to thank Council for taking action and setting up new by-laws for the beach that were established to  cover some of the most outrageous activities that happen on the Beaches of Grand Bend.

Information from our members and concerned residents has resulted in some very well received activities from this season as well as some concerns.

The beach was much cleaner this year, staff worked longer hours, there were more frequents garbage removals and extra garbage pails.

The signage at the entrances to town was great however, some people were still missed and there were many things still on the beach that are prohibited.

The LED lights were good.  We suggest a solution to light pollution for residents living east of the beach would be a directional shade.

There are large numbers of people using Oak St. to get to the beach and large numbers of vehicles using Oak St. that concern us.  For the safety of all involved we believe a sidewalk or pathway for pedestrians is needed.

We were also pleased to hear that this year’s budget has money set aside for a real beach cleaner. The lack of a proper cleaner that can remove broken glass, plastics and cigarette butts, has been needed for a long time. 

This was a priority for many in this community beyond our organization and we thank Council for following through on this very important issue.

We are greatly concerned about the lifeguards having to do by-law enforcement or mitigation during their time on the beach.  Somehow this must be resolved before someone is injured or worse because the Lifeguards cannot get where they need to be.

Alcohol was everywhere! This is a huge issue that council needs to find a solution for. Our children used to get fined for stepping off private property with a single beer in their hands.  We do not understand the total failure to fine and arrest boozers on the beach!!

We believe without appropriate measures to solve the free for all on the beach, council and the municipality are failing in their responsibility to residents and visitors for a safe visit to our beaches.

High water caused a lack of other usable beaches this past season.  As a result, Grand Bend received a huge influx of visitors. This resulted large numbers of people on the North Beach.

It is obvious that one lifeguard stand on this beach is not adequate for the numbers of people that were present.  

We also think that council needs to consider seriously, the fact that the beaches of Grand bend were well over capacity. See attached photos.

In conclusion  we urge Council to act on the most egregious issues and  are requesting that council send us a written response with any decisions made.

Sincerely,

Sharon Weitzel per

Lambton Shores Community Association

Letter to Lanbton Share Council

Lambton Shores Community Association would like to acknowledge the pro-active approach Council took in regards to many Beach issues in our letter just prior to the time we sent in our concerns.  The addition of "No-Smoking- No Cannabis"  on the beach is also very welcome.

LSCA sent a letter  to Municipal Council earlier this year to raise some issues of the concerns our members had shared with us.  You can read the entire letter at:  LSCA Letter of Concern 022019
 

Executive Recommendations to Council

Recommendations to Council

LSCA Executive Meeting

Wed. April 27, 2016

                                     

1.      By Law Enforcement – Follow up getting the By Law Team to act appropriately and especially in protecting residents from inappropriate behaviour by irresponsible landlords and tenants.

2.      Beach Issues –

Beach Cleaner – Has it been ordered?

Snow Fence – Not up early enough and much sand already blown in . Recommend last week of Sept.

Board Walk – Wood areas are rotting continuously and present a liability problem – Repair will be costly over time and we would be better off replacing it with a non wood product

Volleyball – Recommend that Scorpians Tournament not be on same weekend as MS Bike Ride

Camping Tents and Barbecues be prohibited from beach

Garbage Cans – Recommend garbage cans at all beach entrances throughout spring and fall to facilitate dealing with waste. The beaches are used considerably during these times especially when weather is nice

Buoys – Is it possible to leave buoys in water longer in spring and fall to help keep motorized vehicles out of swim area especially. Last fall for example the weather was beautiful during most of Sept. and there were many times when boats and jets skis encroached dangerously into to swim areas.

Beach Signage – Are there plans to install “This way to Beach Signs” on Hwy 21?  The #1 question received at the Chamber of commerce Tourism Office is “Where is the beach?”

Alcohol on the Beach – Recommendation that there be stricter enforcement by OPP since it has been getting increasingly out of hand

Letter to Council May 2014

The Lambton Shores Community Association's ongoing concern with the issue capitol costs of projects and who will pay is the topic of our official  letter below.

LSCA STF 05212014

Lambton Shores Community Association

The LSCA requested a delegation to Council April 4th, 2011.  Below is the letter that was sent as part of our request.  The Association also sent in many of the documents we also supplied in 2010, to update new members of Council and to remind old members of council about the details surrounding the issue.

NSP Council 032011

Eccleston Letter to Council

During an informal discussion not too long ago, we were informed by a councilor for Lambton Shores that he was unaware of the Eccleston Covenant.  This may seem hard for some to believe however, with the large number of seasonal and new residents flowing in and out of Plan 24 and Grand Bend, the Lambton Shores Community Association believes this to be a valid concern.

To ensure we are all on the same page please read the letter below.-LSCA

Eccleston Council July2010

Not So Pro concerns submitted to council

The material below was sent in to council after the infamous Not So Pro event.  Concerns and issues from residents were documented with photos and written material.  Council will be addressing our material at the Sept. 7th Council meeting.  We did not request a delegation.

In addition it was suggested to forward our material through the municipality to  the Consultants.  They are  working on a response for Council  to earlier consultations and to feedback on the first Draft report.  This was done.  The Municipality has also requested the issue of "Beach Usage"  be added to the document and consultation.

We are recommending that the community take this opportunity to respond to the DRAFT Recreation and Leisure Services Master Plan, either through the Municipality's Community Services staff or through the Lambton Shores Community Association.
NSP Letter 072010

NSP Tournament072010%5D

LSCA presents to Council

Below are the introduction to Council by  LSCA President, Ed Fluter and the LSCA material presented to council on June 15th.  It is expanded from the original letter and has updated  material including our Mission statement. - LSCA

Presentation to the Municipal Council of Lambton Shores %233 June 15-10




Lambton Shores Community Association Delegatin

Letter to Council from the Association

Below is the Lambton Shores Community Association's (LSCA) letter to council.  This letter will be on the June 15th Agenda for Council to consider.  The Lambton Shores Community Association has also been granted a delegation.  LSCA will be on the agenda at 3 pm sharp. -LSCA

Letter to Council 0610 Final-2

Letters to Council -May 2010

The letter below was sent to council in early May. When Council sends replies those will be posted as well.-LSCA



Council May310

April Letter to Council

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