Applaud lake improvements, wondering about costs

Dear editor,

I was greatly relieved to read that the proposed Big Point Resort will improve the quality of Lake Simcoe rather than be a detriment. According to Rick Newlove, corporate services manager for Simcoe County, it is all the phosphorus from the "detergent, shampoo and toothpaste" that is what ails our beloved lake. We should not fault the Big Bay locals for their obsession with cleanliness and their desire to possess pearly whites that are the envy of the land for Mr. Rumm of Geranium Corp. is riding to the rescue. Apparently, he "will assist as many as 1600 homeowners to connect to municipal services." leaving me to naively assume that this means Geranium will pick up the tab for these services. Mr. Newlove also claims "septic systems are not sustainable in the long term" ignoring the fact they can last indefinitely if properly maintained. Given that the Big Bay Point Resort is planning to build 1600 units itself that would seem to work out to zero net improvement to Lake Simcoe.

In any case, Jim McLean of Geranium points out that the resort has met all municipal, county and provincial requirements. Interestingly, Premier McGinty's recent comments about the proposed Lake Simcoe Protection Act seem to suggest that the Act will be designed to prevent such huge developments as this, with as many as 6400 residents and 1000 boats in a marina for the yachts of the wealthy. The Act, however, will not apply retroactively to Big Bay Point Resort implying that the barn door will be closed after the horse is gone.

We are also being assured by the local "powers- that- be" that all is under control and the resort will be scarcely noticeable. I hear no mention of the costs of infrastructure for such things as roads or the applications that will inevitably follow for shopping centres and other urban services. Even Geranium Corp has got into the act with a soothing flurry of newspaper and television ads that make no mention of the sheer magnitude of this development, though without prior knowledge you would think they were advertising for little more than a wilderness camp for boys.

Mark W. Fisher Barrie ON