Schwatka Lake boat launch approved in Whitehorse council meeting

The Yukon Breeze Sailing Society willget to begin construction of a boat launch and dock after a contentious Whitehorse City Council meeting ended in approval of the society's request.

The proposed launch is located on the Eastern shore ofSchwatkaLake, which is currently used by float planes as well as sailboats. It is surrounded by trails and provides water to Whitehorse's hydroelectric dam.

The society's proposal also includesleavingtwoseacansfor storage on site, as well as an outhouse.

Councillor Betty Irwin represented the lone vote against the plan, saying that she would like to see the SchwatkaLake area plan done first. The proposed siteis located about a kilometre down Chadburn Lake Road.

City administration previously confirmed in a March meeting that the ChadburnLake area plan would be completed in 2015.Administration recommended granting the society a one-year trial period, with the potential for extension, saying they wanted to see a heritage report, trail plan, and plans for remediation prior to approval.

Irwin said that she was "unwilling to approve this conditional use, certainly, at this time. Adding that she was "not convinced that the proposed installation of the sea cans, the ramp, the dock, will not be intrusive, and Ithink will be somewhat unsightly."

The rest of city council voted in favour of the proposal, but against administration's suggestion of a one-year conditional period, which Whitehorse mayor Dan Curtis called "really unfair."

"I just say live and let live," he said. "We don't put one year on virtually anybody.

"Iwon't be in favour of deferring this to a one year or a one and a half year. Idon't think that's consistent with the way this council has dealt with other organizations and other recreational facilities, so I'm going to be in support of this."

Some residents of the area spoke against the plan in May, with one calling it a "blight" on the area. Residents are also concerned about overcrowding at the popular spot.

Sailing Society president Dave Hildes said the lake's close proximityto Whitehorse is ideal to promote sailing, and that they want to"be where people can see us, because we want people to join us."