Residents of Radium Hot Springs could have a lakeside beach to call their own if village council backs a proposal from one local resident.
Jim Spears was at council October 26 to pitch a plan to turn Legends ball field into Legends Lake, complete with a beach, boardwalk and other amenities.
“It’s pretty much under used,” said Spears of the current ball park. “I can’t recall seeing an organized ball tournament for four or five years.”
Spears’ plan, which included a possible construction timeline, would see the ball diamond scooped out and a three-foot deep man made lake installed, possibly with some small islands scattered throughout. Sand could be trucked into the area, and Spears would also like to see park benches and fire pits installed.
“It would be a water park, but I’m not suggesting it be a West Edmonton Mall-type water park,” he said, adding the lake could also be used for non-motorized boating, such as kayaking.
“Summer season, I can see it being well used. I can see it being consistently used for about 100 days on a daily basis.”
In the winter, Spears said the lake could have some of its water drained and become a skating rink or host recreational curling.
Spears is hoping the lake plan could be funded through B.C.’s Community Recreation Program, through which the village is allowed to back one grant application for a recreation project.
Village council said it would look into the idea, along with several others it’s considering, but councillor Clara Reinhardt pointed out the project could have hidden costs if some parts of Spears’ vision are used.
“If we have water and a beach, I don’t think I could stay out of the water,” she said, pointing out swimming and wading uses would likely require the lake to have a filtration system. “The budget could be bigger than we think. Not saying we can’t do it. But it could be bigger than we think.”
