St. Malo man concerned the province may turn decades-old beach into a parking lot
A Manitoba man who three years ago reclaimed a small-secluded beach on the Crown land shores of St. Malo Lake wants answers after learning the province may have plans to turn it into a parking lot.
For Daryl Sabourin, this small piece of land has been a part of his life for decades. Sabourin said he grew up swimming at the beach as a child in the 70s.
"Three years ago, I decided to reclaim the beach so my children can swim here like I used to," Sabourin said.
He said he spent around $2,000 to reclaim the beach – stripping the topsoil, bringing in fresh sand, digging in breakers to keep the beach from eroding, and building a shed for beach equipment.
Sabourin unofficially named the area 'Kate's Beach' after his daughter.
After cleaning up a small-secluded beach on the Crown land shores of St. Malo Lake, Daryl Sabourin unofficially named the area 'Kate's Beach' after his daughter. (Source: Danton Unger/ CTV News Winnipeg)
(Source: Danton Unger/ CTV News Winnipeg)
The only problem – the beach is on Crown land owned by the province. According to the Crown Lands Act, it is illegal to build any building or structure on Crown land without authorization.
A provincial spokesperson told CTV News the province has received a Provincial Waterway Authorization signed by Sabourin, which may allow him to keep his storage shed and other personal property on the land subject to certain restrictions.
Among those restrictions in the authorization which CTV News obtained a copy of, the province can – at its sole discretion – give Sabourin 30 days’ notice to remove or relocate the property at his own expense if the area is required by Manitoba for, "other governmental purposes."
Sabourin said this has him concerned after learning of plans that the area, which is next to a small boat launch, could be turned into a parking lot.
Daryl Sabourin (pictured) reclaimed a small-secluded beach on the Crown land shores of St. Malo Lake. (Source: Danton Unger/ CTV News Winnipeg)
Daryl Sabourin (pictured) spent three years reclaiming a small-secluded beach on the Crown land shores of St. Malo Lake. (Source: Danton Unger/ CTV News Winnipeg)
The provincial spokesperson told CTV News there are ongoing parking and public access issues in the area of the beach, with the province and rural municipality receiving many complaints each year.
"In order to improve public access to the reservoir, the option of constructing a parking lot has been discussed by MI (Manitoba Infrastructure) and the RM," the spokesperson told CTV News in a written statement.
"No decisions regarding the construction of a small gravel parking lot have been made at this time."
The province would not say how the beach would be impacted if a parking lot were to be built.
RM of De Salaberry Reeve Darrel Curé said because this is Crown land, the rural municipality doesn't question the province's use of the area.
The approximate location of the beach on Crown land that Daryl Sabourin has been reclaiming, unofficially calling it Kate's Beach.
Sabourin said he has jumped through hoops to get the authorization to use the beach, and doesn't believe a parking lot is needed.
"This is not a beach that is used by many of the public. It's mostly a community beach," he said.
"I don't understand because we have a Provincial Park that is half a kilometre away, and there's two other boat access launches another 500 steps away."
Sabourin said he and some neighbours in the area will be meeting with the government in August.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.