Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has set a date for its open house on the Lake Windermere groyne.

As reported in the Aug. 25 edition of the Pioneer, PSPC has been temporarily marking the rock groyne (or weir) across the mount of the Columbia River, where it exits the northern end of Lake Windermere, for the past few years.

The structure was first built in the 1800s, during the paddlewheel steamboat era, to help facilitate travel between Golden and Invermere. Over the ensuing century it gradually fell into disuse, and these days it represents a considerable safety and navigate hazard, since for much of the year it lies just below the surface of the lake, less than 100 metres away from the most popular public boat launch on the lake. 

Many non-local (and thus unsuspecting) boaters have damaged their water crafts on the groyne, and more than a few local residents have suggested that it’s only a matter of time before somebody is seriously, or even fatally, injured by the historical structure.

For many years confusion reigned as various municipal, regional, provincial and federal agencies all quickly denied jurisdiction over (and therefore responsibility and liability for) the groyne. Eventually it became clear the federal PSPC was the one who needed to deal with it. In 2020, PSPC put in the temporary yellow floating hardshell markers that currently delineate the groyne, with promises to consult on a permanent option in the future.

PSCP outlined earlier this summer that it would hold an open house this September. At the time no exact date had been set, but now it has. The open house will take place this coming Saturday, Sept. 17 at Copper Point Resort. There will be two sessions, one running from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (presentation begins at 9:45 a.m.). and another from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (presentation begins at 9:15 p.m.).

The presentation will outline the three options PSPC is considering for permanently marking the groyne: tall wooden marker piles (beams); short marker piles (beams); and a permanent version of the current temporary floating yellow marker buoys. 

For more information on the option, visit: www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/biens-property/construction/lacwindermere-lakewindermere-eng.html