Reports requested on deficiencies, timelines and disclosures related to Lower Beverley Lake Park
RIDEAU LAKES — Council is seeking clarity on Lower Beverley Lake Park compliance issues.
Staff and the Lower Beverley Lake Park board are being asked by council to provide detailed reports on compliance, operations and information disclosure following debate at the March 23 committee of the whole meeting.
Two motions brought forward by Coun. Paula Banks were supported, requiring a consolidated report on environmental, planning, building and licensing matters, as well as a separate report outlining what information has been shared with council regarding compliance issues.
The first motion calls for a report identifying any outstanding deficiencies, timelines for remediation aligned with a Feb. 10, 2027 deadline, estimated costs and funding strategies. Council also requested confirmation on whether the park can lawfully and safely operate for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, along with any contingency measures and a communication plan for residents.
The report is to be presented before final operational decisions are made for the 2026 season and entered into the public record.
The second motion directs the park board and the chief administrative officer to provide records showing when key compliance documents were shared with council, staff or the board. That includes the 2017 Environmental Compliance Approval, the 2022 Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks inspection report, and any related correspondence or notices of deficiency since 2022.
It also requests clarification on when the township’s tourist campground licensing bylaw was brought forward for readings and what disclosures were made to council at the time. Where records form part of closed meetings, council will decide whether to release them.
During discussion, Banks said council had been operating under the assumption the park was compliant while considering the licensing bylaw.
“We did not know the situation at Lower Beverley,” she said, adding that council needs clear information on deficiencies, timelines and costs.
Banks said she had asked the park board for clarification on the approved septic plan, permit requirements and inspection processes but had not received answers. She added the information is needed not only for council, but for residents who live in the park year round and rely on clear communication about its status.
Coun. Debbie Hutchings said she wants to see ministry documentation and confirmation that proper inspections have been carried out.
“I just want to see the proof,” she said.
Coun. Jeff Banks said there are unresolved issues that need to be addressed.
“There are deficiencies. There are issues at the campground,” he said. “We need answers from the board and from the ministry.”
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said he does not agree with the use of the term non-compliance and said the park board has been addressing the matter.
“These issues belong appropriately with the Lower Beverley Lake Park board and the manager,” he said.
He said the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has indicated the park is making progress on septic system requirements and that multiple systems are now considered acceptable, replacing an earlier centralized system that was not pursued.
“If we don’t have any faith in the board, then we shouldn’t have put them in charge of the park.”
Coun. Marcia Maxwell questioned whether the motions were necessary, noting that staff had previously been directed to bring forward information related to the campground licensing bylaw before a third reading.
Both motions were supported.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks did not respond to multiple requests for comment prior to publication. Questions submitted by Hometown News to township staff and referred to the Lower Beverley Lake Park board also went unanswered.
The reports are expected to be brought forward before final operational decisions are made for the 2026 season.
The matter will be brought forward to a future council meeting for final approval.
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Councillor Paula Banks obviously doesn’t read her agenda packages! When she started attacking attacking Lower Beverley Lake Park I did some research of my own and found years of Park Board minutes included with agenda packages. Seems to me this is a matter between Park management and the ministry of Environment. They’re the ones who have regulatory oversight of septic and sewage and would not allow the park to operate if the systems were endangering the Environment. Seems to me the agenda here is more about trying to discredit management and shut down the jewel Park of Rideau Lakes! Shame on Councillor Banks and the 4 Councillora who voted for this – of which one was Sue Dunfield , the council rep on the board for the past 5 years!