About Clear Lake Cottage Owners
Our History
The Clear lake Cottage Owners Association was formally organized in August 1957 in response to Parks Canada's initiative to introduce a water and sewer system into the cottage area. The acting chairperson of the meeting was Mrs. J.S. Cosgrove (grandmother of our current Executive Director, Lynne Tovell). At that meeting, Mr. W. Ferguson was elected the first President and an Executive Committee was then formed.
Approximately 46 cottage owners attended the meeting. It is interesting to note that, in order to defray expenses, the membership fees were set at $1.00! From this meeting, a constitution was developed and adopted at the following Annual General Meeting held in August 1958.
Some of the concerns identified at that time sound very familiar i.e. water and sewer facilities, mosquito control, water patrol on the lake, docking facilities, building regulations, tree-cutting, and traffic control within the townsite. In reviewing the minutes of past meetings, it is obvious that the CLCOA has had opportunities to provide input to Parks Canada's staff on various issues involving the townsite, cottage area and RMNP in general.
The Superintendent of RMNP (or designate) has been invited on a yearly basis to address the CLCOA membership in general, and the CLCOA Board has always had access to formally discuss various issues with Parks Canada. Some of these issues were resolved at a local level while others required negotiation with Parks Canada at the national level.
Over the years some of the issues have required legal expertise and representation on behalf of the cottage owners and therefore our costs have increased. The workload of the Association has also increased substantially and in 1998 an Executive Assistant was hired to provide some continuity to the Association and assist with the everyday operations of the CLCOA.
The Constitution was revised at the Annual General Meeting held in August 1999 and amendments were approved at the 2009 Spring General Meeting and the 2016 Annual General Meeting.
A variety of CLCOA committees have been formed to deal with specific issues, and various Board members have represented the CLCOA on different Parks Canada and community committees. Some of the current CLCOA committees are: Cottage Security, FireSmart, North Shore Issues, and Social Committee,
If you have any comments that you would like to share with members of these committees, please contact us at the following e-mail address: contactus@clearlakecoa.com
WHY SHOULD I BELONG TO THE CLCOA?
The Clear Lake Cottage Owners Association (CLCOA) represents approximately 82% of the family cottages at Clear Lake Manitoba. Our job is to represent our members in a wide variety of issues that affect the community, ranging from relations with Parks Canada and other local governments and volunteer organizations with a stake in Riding Mountain National Park. In our 67 year history, the CLCOA has a proud record of advocating for the interests of our members. Members of the CLCOA enjoy many benefits from our advocacy, information sharing, social and recreational activities as well as the advantages that come from many voices speaking as one. Here are a few examples that have benefitted CLCOA members.
Negotiations with Parks Canada
The CLCOA was successful in negotiating with Parks Canada regarding plumbing in cottage outbuildings or guest houses. This allowed cottage owners to expand the use of existing infrastructure to make their family time at Clear Lake more relaxed and enjoyable.
The Association offers the cottage owners’ view of many issues and services around and within the park. The CLCOA consults with Parks Canada on improvements to the townsite, including roads and other infrastructure. For example the CLCOA provided advice to Parks Canada on its decision to improve and re-pave Wasagaming Drive from Primula to Deep Bay including Spruce Crescent where road conditions had deteriorated significantly. CLCOA advocacy also helped to target paving Tawapit Drive from Primula to Balsam, the sidewalk along Tawapit and the North Shore circle and access roads. We continue to point out the poor conditions of the back lanes and side roads in the townsite and the need for an extension of the sidewalks along Wasagaming and Tawapit to the Deep Bay area. Recently the CLCOA has been working with Parks Canada regarding accessibility to Clear Lake and as a result a mobility mat has been installed at the Main Beach area.
CLCOA representatives have provided input to Parks Canada regarding the Wasagaming Community Plan and the RMNP Management Plan and the National Permit Planning Process. It is essential that our views are considered, because these plans will direct the decisions of Parks Canada for many years to come.
Parks Canada also uses our organization to get messages out promptly to our members and views our organization as a key vehicle to disperse information quickly and efficiently . The messages are sent electronically to all our paid up members.
Specific cottage/lease issues:
Lease options available to cottage owners are complex and can make for difficult decisions. To help our members we have established a Lease Information Committee that is working with Parks Canada to identify/clarify the process that a leaseholder must follow when the end of the term of a lease is approaching.
In the past we have provided financial support to affected members in their negotiations with Parks Canada regarding the high appraisal values in 2010 and subsequent high yearly rent values. The CLCOA has now developed a protocol to assist in determining under what circumstances financial assistance is appropriate for members involved in negotiations with Parks Canada.
Off Season Security:
Wouldn’t it be great to know that someone is watching out for your property in the off-season? Well CLCOA members automatically have that benefit. We contract Lookout Properties Services for inspections of cottage lots on a weekly basis (depending upon road access) from October 1st to March 31st each year.
Partnering with Parks Canada:
CLCOA representatives were instrumental in developing the FireSmart program with Parks Canada. An extension of this program includes Deadwood Wednesdays and the clean-up of the Spruce Crescent and the North Shore areas, all of which involved cottage owners working in cooperation with Parks Canada staff. This program helps protect our properties in the event of a forest fire. Discussions are currently ongoing re establishing a FireSmart Community designation in the cottage areas.
This year Parks Canada worked with the CLCOA to coordinate and arrange for on site AIS inspections of watercraft (both motorized and non-motorized). This initiative very much appreciated by our members and reinforced the concept of how we all need to be stewards of this beautiful park.
Parks Canada provides the CLCOA with a list of licensed trades people who are licensed to work in RMNP. The CLCOA has this list posted on the website on the Cottage Services page.
Other Benefits of Belonging to the CLCOA
Our website provides information to cottage owners about specific cottage and RMNP issues. Email updates are also sent to paid-up CLCOA members advising them of specific issues. The CLCOA has recently developed a Mission Statement which is posted on this website.
The CLCOA also has a page on FaceBook which provides up to date information on events and activities in the area. Just log into Facebook and search for Clear Lake Cottage Owners.
By hiring an Executive Assistant, the CLCOA has been able to provide consistency and organization to the membership. Lynne Tovell has been our Executive Assistant since 1998 and has gained considerable knowledge over the years regarding cottage issues. Members can contact the CLCOA at any time and specific questions/requests will be addressed.
Contact information is email: contactus@clearlakecoa.com
We feel strongly that the CLCOA has an important role in maintaining and promoting the interests of the cottage owners in RMNP. We have a good working relationship with Parks Canada staff and feel we have influenced a number of decisions that have been made over the years. Membership in the Association has been fairly consistent over the past decade - last year 82% of the cottage owners paid their membership fee. This year the fee has been reduced to $85 – what a deal!
Join us – you will be glad you did!
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