Beachgoers excited for Echo Dale’s opening day

And with giggles of excitement, the kids on the beach said they were excited too.

The swim lake usually opens the first weekend in June but when the pandemic hit, the city didn’t expect Echo Dale to open at all this season.

“We were prepared not to open the facility, then as things started opening more I think it was a pleasant surprise that we could open,” Parks Manager Scott Richter said.

Last weekend, Sylvan Lake had a crammed waterfront, with most beach-goers ignoring physical distancing rules.

To help prevent that from happening here, the city says they have a “social-distancer” on site.

“You may or may not see this person, I don’t think it will be an issue, people of Medicine Hat are responsible and good at doing that stuff, so everyone is on the lookout,” Richter said.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reminded the province this week to stay 2 meters apart, “This weekend if you plan to visit a beach or other area that might be a popular destination, I encourage you to have a backup plan if the space is full when you arrive.”

Another step being taken to limit overcrowding at Echo Dale is that washrooms and change rooms will be open at limited capacity.

And there will be a staff member monitoring that crowd.

Portable toilets will also be on-site and maintained.

As for the concession, it will be closed at this time, but food trucks are welcome to come to the park all summer so beachgoers can grab lunch or a cool treat.

The Town of Sylvan Lake posted an update on waterfront crowd control for this weekend July 18 & 19 and can be found by visiting this link.

by Chantal Wagner

Beachgoers excited for Echo Dale’s opening day

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