May 15, 2025 - Survey says....taxpayers overwhelmingly say no to a new municipal boat launch on Steenburg Lake South Road.
Limerick Township has proposed a public boat launch on Steenburg Lake, to be located on Steenburg Lake South Road between 432 and 448. The property is at the boundary between Limerick and Tudor and Cashel Townships.
The results of a survey posted on May 6 by Limerick Township are included in the agenda for the May 21, 2025 Council meeting. Billed as a way to gauge public opinion on the proposal, the survey asked simply 'Would you want a public boat launch on South Steenburg Lake Rd.?'
The results contained in the May 21 agenda are as follows, with 86 votes:
YES - 18.6% (16 votes)
NO - 79.07% (68 votes)
Undecided - 2.33% (2 votes)
There is still time to register your vote before the May 21 Council meeting. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCB65Q5 "
In their comments, some proponents of the boat launch lobbied for a year-round boat launch and possibly an expansion of the current public launch which is closed 3 months in the summer to allow for public swimming), two lobbied for a public launch that is free.
Opponents of a new boat launch cited concerns about the introduction of invasive species, careless boaters, noise, pollution, congestion on the south road, road safety, excessive boat traffic, unsuitable location and the expense of installation and maintaining the new site. Many noted there are already two boat launches on the lake: one public, one private.
Read all the comments in this PDF excerpt from the May 21 agenda..
Limerick Council will be asked to decide next steps on this proposal at their May 21 meeting. Limerick Community Centre, 7645 Highway 620, 12:30 p.m. See their full agenda here.
To keep our members informed, the SLCA will continue to update this document as next steps in the proposal occur.
May 7, 2025 – SLCA post to Steenburg Lake FB page
UPDATE -- I reached out to Limerick Township last night for further info on the boat launch survey they posted yesterday on their website https://limerick.ca/. They intend to share the results of the survey at the May 21 Council meeting and possibly have a public meeting in June. Whether you do, or do not, favour a new boat launch, you can make your feelings known by filling in the survey ASAP.
May 6, 2025 Survey posted at limerick.ca
Screen capture of notice of survey on limerick.ca, May 7, 2025
Text of notice
"Steenburg Lake Boat Launch Proposal Survey
Every year Staff and Council are approached about a boat launch on Steenburg Lake South Road. We have created a very short survey to gauge where residents stand on this. This survey will take less than 1 minute to complete, but will be very helpful to staff and Council moving forward. Thank you in advance for your participation. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCB65Q5 "
Screen capture of survey intro limerick.ca, May 7, 2025
Text of survey
"South Steenburg Lake Boat Launch Survey
The Limerick Township proposes a public boat launch on Steenburg Lake, located on South Steenburg Lake Road.
The community is divided on this decision. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey to better assist Limerick in the future.
1.Would you want a public boat launch on South Steenburg Lake Rd.
2.If a public meeting is hosted would you attend in person or via Zoom?
- Yes in person
- Yes via Zoom
- No for either in person or Zoom
- Undecided
- Would you prefer a morning meeting?
- Would you prefer an afternoon meeting?
- Would you prefer an evening meeting?
3.Please provide a short response regarding your position on the public boat launch."
May 6, 2025 – SLCA post to Steenburg Lake FB page
Hi folks, just a quick update. At today's Tudor & Cashel Council meeting (ongoing as I type this) the Council voted to notify Limerick Township that T&C has no interest in furthering discussions on a public boat launch on the south road. During the brief discussion it was noted by Councillor Brent Taylor, a resident of the lake, that Steenburg currently has 2 viable boat launches, the proposed site would require a lot of development work, parking and traffic concerns, and the threat of the introduction of invasive species to the lake would require ongoing monitoring at the launch site. Not that I don't love a good council meeting LOL but this one is now moving into its third hour .... I'm moving on.
April 23, 2025 – SLCA post to Steenburg Lake FB page
At today’s (April 23) Limerick Council meeting the subject of a public boat launch on Steenburg Lake came up. I was there for another reason. After some discussion between councillors and staff about whether or not property owners on the lake want a public boat launch, Council directed staff to approach Tudor & Cashel to gauge their interest in exploring the installation of a launch on the South Road where the two townships meet - near the snowplow turnaround.
Staff and councillors raised some red flags during the discussion including the very steep grade at the proposed site, the need for public parking on site, the risk of invasive species entering and exiting the lake via boats, people congregating at the boat launch, and the fact the launch location would be abutting existing cottages/homes.
This is all very preliminary and I'm told any movement forward would take quite some time. Should Tudor & Cashel agree to explore the idea, there will likely be public sessions held by both Councils to gauge public interest.
The Steenburg Lake Community Association (SLCA) will be following developments and we will pass that information along to you as it comes in.
-- Your SLCA Team
