2026 Civic Holiday Issue
In this issue
annual meeting and membership dues reminder
fire safety and Seguin fire support contract
hydro corridor developments
fighting invasive species
President’s Update
Katrina with the “You be the Judge” septic testing gear. We will decide whether to keep it available on the lake or at the transfer station
As is the case every year, the summer passes too quickly. Hopefully August will be relatively smoke free for us despite the fire challenges up north. Fire risk is something our Association pays a lot of attention to and we are fortunate to have a volunteer response structure here on the lake as well as the Seguin support. Cheryl Ward has led a review of the fire protection arrangement and property surtax that has been in place for the last 12 years, and reports below.
Thank you to all the folks involved in the GBBR (Georgian Bay Biosphere Rerserve) education session held on July 24th: hosts John Henhoefer and Leanne Cooley, BLCA Board lead June Kingston coordinating and GBBR presenter Katrina Krievins. A great chance to see modern best practices for off grid cottaging and too septic setup.
We will be broadcasting Annual Meeting materials shortly, but in addition to the routine annual business, we will present recommendations for your consideration to:
approve new board members Moira McErlean and Robert Rymell
limit GBA financial contribution to 25% of annual dues
endorsement of the current Seguin fire support arrangement
Hope to see you there - in the meantime, enjoy each day on the lake!
Fire Protection Agreement – Your Input Matters
The current Structural Fire Suppression Agreement between the Township of The Archipelago and Seguin Township expires on March 31, 2027. To help residents understand the agreement, the Township has prepared a detailed memorandum outlining the services provided, how the agreement works, response expectations, costs, and the options available when the agreement comes up for renewal. The BLCA Board is not taking a position at this time. Instead, we want to ensure members have the information needed to make an informed decision. We encourage everyone to review the memorandum before the Annual General Meeting, where this important topic will be discussed. Your feedback will help guide the Board as it provides input to the Township on behalf of our community. The full memorandum is available on our website at this link.
Gotta pay your dues if you haven’t already!
An online 2026 dues payment and membership application can be found on our website. Electronic, contactless payment of annual dues very much appreciated. E-transfer $100.00 to blackstone.lake115@gmail.com. Your dues must be paid to have a legal vote at the AGM or other member meetings.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIBERS OF BLACKSTONE LAKE COTTAGERS ASSOCIATION
Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 am (Blackstone time) at Myrtle Island
9:30 – 9:55 a.m. – Registration 10:00 – 11:45 a.m. – 2026 AGM
We welcome all expressions of volunteer interest and need to build out our board roster. If you would like to get more involved, please reach out. email to blackstonelakeca@gmail.com by August 3rd.
Transmission Line Corridor
The Hydro One Transmission Line Corridor Expansion options are under way and further presentations by Hydro One are listed below. These consultations purport to be an opportunity for public input and influence on the final design. BLCA brought this issue to the attention of many a year ago.
The most likely area will be the existing lines that cross our lake in three areas. If the corridor is widened, an additional 300 feet from Barrie to Sudbury would remove millions of trees requiring thousands of liters of defoliant for future management. BLCA is on record opposing the rushed process and has submitted alternative design options that would have less environmental impact- potentially within the existing footprint. Andy Metelka’s efforts have also gotten the township and other stakeholders engaged and he is refining his alternatives proposal further hoping to promote a more strategic approach.
BLCA board members, as well as TOA and Seguin staff will be attending at the following locations:
Parry Sound Thursday, August 6, 3 - 7 p.m.
Waubamik Community Hall, 6 Hurdville Rd, McDougall, ON
Seguin Thursday, August 13, 3 - 7 p.m.
Foley Community Hall, 60 Rankin Lake Rd, Foley, ON
All other Hydro One Presentations can be accessed here.
CURLY-LEAVED PONDWEED
Thanks to volunteers in McRoberts Bay last year for discovering and helping to contain the outbreak of Curly-leaved-leaved pondweed. An area 12x 30 feet was tarped and weighted with rocks 4 and 12 feet deep. This year, we’ve purchased proper weighted tarps funded by a grant from the Township. The new tarps are being installed now and will be much easier erect and move. We caught this before it became thick and difficult to eradicate.
IMPACTS/RISK
Forms dense stands which crowd out other species and potentially decrease oxygen levels.
Restrict water flow.
Dense stands hinder recreational activities
Catch up on the latest from the Georgian Bay Association and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers
Your Board of Directors from all parts of the lake: Kathy Watts, Kai Deuitch, June Kingston, Rob Moos, Kevin McCarthy, Andy Metelka, Cheryl Ward, Erik Mathiesen
