EXECUTIVES/DIRECTORS

The WCA EXECUTIVES

President: WERNER TOEWS

Treasurer: NICOLA PANCHYSAK

Administrative Secretary: TANYA GERBRANDT

President Elect: VICTOR BASAROWICH

Past President: ED WILSON

Vice President: KEN COOMBS

DIRECTORS


WHITESHELL COTTAGERS ASSOCIATION INC

BARREN LAKEres. phone #lake phone #
Marcel Wozney668-6390349-2860
Don Sleeva237-3081349-8982
BARRIER BAY
Vacant
BETULA LAKE
Tom Cutts837-5049348-7290
Gaeline Delmarque489-3016348-7796
John Collo233-8459348-2799
BIG WHITESHELL LAKE
Ed Wilson256-9269348-2007
Niven DeGrow489-2141348-3272
Vic Baerg256-2096348-3100
Randy Williams254-6210348-3897
BRERETON LAKE
June Phillips257-8610369-5328
Ed Polkowski474-5942369-5728
Doug Moberg269-4511369-5515
Carol McOuat253-0528369-5316
Nicola Panchysak669-1409369-5417
CADDY LAKE
Wilfred Jestadt256-8294349-8790
DOROTHY LAKE
Stan Pogorzelec668-8153348-3282
Vic de Witt895-1442348-7243
ELEANOR LAKE
Pete Rumak222-3864348-2248
FALCON LAKE
Murray Balagus694-7720349-3023
Harry Meneer237-0796349-8242
Randall Kinley669-1644349-3155
Walter Prokopanko334-5195349-2720
Jo-Anne Shields632-6276349-8075
Victor Basarowich224-2993349-8333
Al Bezak669-3430349-2918
Christopher Pate779-6945349-8890
FLORENCE LAKE
Vacant
JESSICA LAKE
Vacant
NORA LAKE
Sarah Garner283-9755294-6631
NUTIMIK LAKE
Bob Carter293-0181661-9137
Joan Murash348-7635
Ron Michalishyn339-2852791-9588
OTTER FALLS
Vacant
POINT du BOIS
vacant
RED ROCK LAKE
Lyla Shingleton478-1888348-2092
David McNeil489-3508348-7510
Rick Emslie786-3394
STAR LAKE
George Lemay349-3376
Norm Frederickson339-7493349-2050
WEST HAWK LAKE
Bruce Wagg661-0663
Richard Babyak475-4996349-8406
Ken Coombs638-3652648-4386
Dan Myk889-4561349-8320
Werner Toews488-6865349-2811
Bob Morrison453-1153349-2369
WHITE LAKE
Gary Kennedy254-2300348-7440
Richard Frederick348-7048


Motor Vehicle Permit Charge

In his February 14 news release Manitoba Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced in part that cottagers are now required to purchase a $28.00 annual park vehicle permit to access their leased cottage lots in Manitoba . The Whiteshell Cottagers Association Inc. (WCA) wrote to Mr. Struthers conveying that cottagers were extremely offended by the $28.00 fee.

The land/lease rental fees for cottagers in all Manitoba Provincial Parks totaled $4,081,189 last year. Given that approximately 56% of these cottagers are in the Whiteshell Provincial Park ( Whiteshell Park ) over 2 million dollars was collected from Whiteshell cottagers last year. This money alone supports the provincial parks system.

However, Manitoba Conservation collects an additional $109,200 from the 273 cottagers that are permanent residents in the Whiteshell Park . A total of $237,000 in chief place of residence fees were collected from cottagers who permanently reside in all Manitoba provincial parks.

Minister Struthers fails to realize that over 3,000 cottages were initially constructed in the former Whiteshell Forest Reserve prior to it being established as the Whiteshell Park in 1961. At that time cottagers were not required to purchase a park vehicle permit/park entrance pass. 

Whiteshell cottagers are required to pay for each and every service that is being provided, as well as capital improvements in the Whiteshell Park.  In addition as general tax payers we also pay for the infrastructure improvements in all Manitoba, parks such as, campgrounds, beaches and picnic areas.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars are required for washroom and shower facilities and sewage mains/lagoons. The users of these services i.e. visitors/ campers are not required to pay additional fees for the facilities or infrastructure improvements.  All of this is paid for by provincial tax payers. 

It is interesting to note that the Provincial Parks Act – Activities Regulation, Sections 31(2) (b) exempts a cottager or a visitor traveling to the Ingolf cottage subdivision in Ontario from requiring a motor vehicle permit when entering the Whiteshell Park. 

There is no justification to place an additional burden on cottagers by proposing they pay a fee for a motor vehicle permit to access their leased lots in Manitoba Provincial parks.

Park District Service Fee (PDSF) Review

During the past year the WCA Executive has attended several meetings with the consultant hired by Manitoba Conservation to review the Park Districts Service Fee (PDSF) system. Prior to the review WCA provided Manitoba Conservation with a position paper including exhibits supporting our association’s views. 

At our January 16 meeting the WCA Executive was submitted to a three hour PowerPoint presentation model prepared by the consultant.  Although, we were not provided with hard copies of the lengthy presentation, we were fortunately able to capture the salient points.  

Following the presentation we requested a meeting with Manitoba Conservation because not all of the data in the consultant’s presentation model was supportable with facts.   

The WCA position is supported by the garbage collection survey conducted by Manitoba Conservation in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003. The survey was also supported by the Pollution Prevention Branch, which indicated the degree of record keeping undertaken throughout this study exceeded that which might ordinarily have been expected in such an exercise. 

The two year survey indicated that the collected garbage produced by cottagers was as follows:

Note: There is no garbage collection in the Pointe du Bois area.  However, Manitoba Conservation’s survey determined that cottagers produce 59.9% of the garbage. 

From the survey WCA was able to determine that for every one share apportioned to a cottager for garbage collection 1.09 shares have to be apportioned to other users of the service including Manitoba Conservation.  The ratio in the areas of the park are as follows:

The WCA will be watching closely to ensure that the above indicated ratios are included in the consultants new model (re shares). 

The consultant’s presentation model appears to be based on two factors; the capacity factor and the period of use factor.  For example garbage, sewer, water, etc., is based on six people equal one share.  One bedroom equates to 2 people; therefore 3 bedrooms would equate to one share. 

Consultant’s PowerPoint Presentation Model:

Garbage, sewer, water based on 6 people = 1 share

     -    2 bedrooms - .67 share

      -     2 bedrooms – 1 share

      -     3 bedrooms and a guest cottage – 1.67 shares

      -     Resort with - 6 (2 bedrooms) - 3 (2 bedrooms) - 2 (4 bedrooms) – 9.67 shares

     -     Summer camps (120 people) – 20 shares

      -    Camp sites (40) – 26.8 shares 

Roads - based on 4 people = 1 share (private roads, on highways or water access included equally).

     -     2 bedrooms -1 share

    -     3 bedrooms – 1.5 shares

    -     3 bedrooms and guest cottage – 2.5 shares

     -     Resort as recorded above -14.5 shares

     -     Summer Camps (120 capacity) – 30 shares

     -    Camping sites (40 sites) – 40 shares 

Period of Use Factors

-         Seasonal 7 days per week/7 months – 1 share

-         Limited 7 days per week/5 months (May-Oct) – 7.1 shares

-         Permanent 7 days per week/12 months – 1.71 shares 

The WCA disagrees with the consultants two factor presentation model.  It has already been determined through the garbage collection survey that a camper produces approximately the same amount of garbage as a cottager.  The consultant’s period of use factor is obviously defective. 

The Consultant Erred

Manitoba Conservation’s ten year “Park Visitors Statistics” (1989-1999) and (1994-2004) provides a good insight regarding unit nights visitors spent at seasonal/transient camping sites.  

In 1999 (Page 5) 46.5% of unit nights were sold on week days, while 38.1% of unit nights were sold on weekends and 15.5% unit nights were sold on long weekends..  As one of these long weekend days falls on a weekend, it is apparent that just as many camping sites are occupied on weekdays as on weekends. 

In 2004 (Page 7) 45.7 % of unit nights were sold on weekdays; 33.1% unit nights were sold on weekends and 21.1% on long weekends of which one day falls on a weekday. 

Cottagers generally occupy their cottages on weekends. It is for this reason that Manitoba Conservation’s garbage collection survey determined that campsite occupier’s produce the same amount of garbage as an average cottager.  

The best way to determine the capacity factor is that it is directly proportional to the garbage produced.  If a place is not occupied, no garbage will be produced.  

In regards to the road capacity factor the consultant’s presentation model is also defective. Whether a family consists of two or four children they travel to their cottage in one vehicle.  On his model the consultant indicated that these families would be charged an additional ½ share for roads. 

In his presentation, the consultant neglected to address the issue of park visitors.  Park Visitor Statistics indicate that over 17,000 vehicles enter the Whiteshell Provincial Park annually from May to October.  All of these visitors travel on park roads that have to be maintained; transfer stations are used to dispose of their garbage; as well as sewage systems that lead to sewage lagoons.  In addition, there are other services the visitors use as well. 

If the PDSF system is to be fair and equitable and factual, the consultant’s presentation model is in need of essential changes.  We will keep you informed of future developments.