2026 Labour Day Weekend Issue
In this issue
annual meeting recap and link to minutes
recommend Seguin fire agreement renewal - but have a hose!
GBA relationship changing
BLCA letter opposing Official Plan Amendment request
New president! (how we long to hear those words :>) )
hydro corridor process continues
Town hall after Oct 26 Municipal election
Invasive species fight update
TOA food recyclers still available
NEW President’s Update
As we enjoy the Labour Day weekend, it is hard to believe that another summer on beautiful Blackstone Lake is already coming to an end. The days may be getting shorter, but hopefully many of you are heading into the fall with wonderful memories of time spent with family and friends at the lake.
It is a real honour to serve as your new President of the Blackstone Lake Cottagers Association. I would like to thank our members for the confidence you have placed in me, and I look forward to working with our Board and all of you over the coming year.
Our Annual General Meeting in August was a wonderful reminder of what makes Blackstone Lake such a special community. It was great to see so many members come together, share ideas, ask questions and, most importantly, demonstrate how much we all care about our lake and our community.
I would also like to thank our outgoing Directors for their time, commitment and contributions to the BLCA. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who are willing to give their time to help make a difference. I am excited to work with both our returning Directors and our new Board members as we move forward.
There will be plenty to keep us busy in the months ahead. We will continue to represent the interests of Blackstone Lake cottagers with the Township of The Archipelago, stay engaged on issues affecting our lake and shoreline, and continue our efforts to protect and preserve the beautiful environment we are so fortunate to enjoy.
But the BLCA is about more than municipal issues and lake stewardship. It is about community. It is about neighbours helping neighbours, sharing a helping hand when needed, and enjoying the friendships that make Blackstone Lake feel like home.
As summer winds down, I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labour Day weekend. For those heading home for the season, safe travels—and for those lucky enough to stay a little longer, enjoy every last bit of summer!
Thank you for your continued support of the BLCA. I look forward to working together to make the year ahead a positive one for our entire Blackstone Lake community.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Labour Day weekend and a great start to the fall season!
Cheryl Ward
President
Blackstone Lake Cottagers Association
2026 Annual General Meeting ReCap
Our thanks again to our host Kevin McCarthy for opening up his beautiful cottage home for our meeting. 60 participants this year with about 37 members families present and special guests from the Township. Paid membership continues to grow and is now at a record level with participation from all parts of the lake.
Meeting minutes document discussion and decisions more fully, but we note two key decisions for which there was substantial discussion and consensus.
support for renewal of the Seguin fire support contract in 2027
BLCA to submit a formal letter of objection to the private Official Plan Amendment Proposal (OPA 71) which had gone public just before the meeting. The letter is available at this link.
NOTE: Whether supporting or opposing the proposal, we strongly recommend that individuals write the Township SOON to express their views.
DRAFT 2026 Annual General Meeting Minutes — Blackstone Lake Cottagers Association
Still time to 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.
We will followup (gently) with longtime supporters we haven’t heard from.
Hydro Transmission Line Corridor
A round of purported consultations for public input and influence on the final design have been completed. BLCA brought this issue to the attention of many a year ago. The most likely area remains 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.
Hydro One Presentations can be accessed here.
Invasive Species Update
Last year volunteers in McRoberts Bay discovered and helped 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, with the great help of a $1,500 grant from the Township, we purchased proper weighted tarps. The new tarps have been installed now and are much easier to install or move. We believe we caught this before it became thick and difficult to eradicate.
In addition, on August 25, a team of volunteers again tackled a roadside s stand of phragmites that might otherwise spread to the lake. Thank you Marian Riach for leading our phragmites charge!
Archipelago FoodCycler Program
We all need to do our part in reducing waste and the amount we send to landfill. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it also contributes to keeping our taxes lower by extending landfill life.
There are now more FoodCyclers available for residents of The Archipelago. It's easy to do – : https://www.fcs-events.com/foodcycler-archipelago
Current users strongly recommend obtaining the larger model as you will be surprised at how much eligible waste you generate (epecially during corn season!)
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: Rob Rymell, Moira Mcearlean, Kai Deuitch, June Kingston, Rob Moos, Kevin McCarthy, Andy Metelka, Cheryl Ward, Erik Mathiesen
