Chestermere introduces beach fees for non-residents
Posted Jul 29, 2020 8:13 am.
Last Updated Jul 29, 2020 8:56 pm.
CHESTERMERE (660 NEWS) – Non-residents of Chestermere will need to pay a fee to use beaches within that community.
Councillors passed a bylaw allowing the city to recover some of the costs associated with activities at the beach, by charging a fee for non-residents.
That fee is $15 per person over 15 years of age and $5 for anyone between 3 to 15 years old. It’s free for infants under three.
A family pass is also available for $40.
“Our main goal for 2020 is to keep people safe,” said Mayor Marshall Chalmers.
“We know that implementing capacity limits is the best way to ensure all beachgoers can have a safe and fun experience, but adding fencing and security is not free. As Chestermere residents already pay for the maintenance of the beaches, adding an admission fee for those who do not live in our community will help to offset the costs of keeping visitors safe during this global pandemic.”
For the remainder of 2020, visitors to Chestermere’s beaches who are not residents of the community will be required to pay an admission fee.
Read more at https://t.co/31eVLXKzid. pic.twitter.com/qUi4QzQGlU
— City of Chestermere (@CityChestermere) July 29, 2020
Chestermere residents over the age of 15 will need to provide identification before being allowed entry.
Beachgoers will be given a wristband that allows access to any of the three lakeside parks for the day and allows them to leave the beach and return so long as the maximum capacity is not reached.
The city can’t prohibit non-residents from using the beach as Alberta doesn’t allow discrimination between residents and non-residents in public places.
The new bylaw will be in place for the remainder of 2020.
“At the end of this year, we will review its effectiveness and need for the future,” said Chalmers. “That way, we can ensure we are still following the best ways to keep our residents and visitors safe, even as they enjoy our city.”
Earlier this month, Chestermere council set capacity limits for its lakeside beaches and said if overcrowding continues to be an issue, further limits could be enforced.
