I am pleased to report that our Association has been very active this past year. We continue to work successfully in conjunction with representatives of many other Park organizations including, among others, the Waskesiu Community Council, the Waskesiu Cabin Owners Association, the Save our Spruce Committee ("SOS"), Concerned Park Supporters ("CPS") and Parks Canada Agency officials. Together we have tried, with some very real success, to provide a forum for discussion, dissemination of information and for improved policy formulation on matters affecting Cottage Owners.

1. For the first time in many years, we can report that rent and rent proposals are no longer at the top of our Agenda! After years of discussion, Parks Canada Agency advanced a new land rent proposal, in late April of 2002, for lessees in Canada's National Parks, including Prince Albert National Park. Our Association played a significant role in helping to shape policy development in that regard. We believe that most Cottage Owners were pleased with the final Rent Options available and that this issue has, through the hard work of many, now been satisfactorily resolved.

2. Our Association, along with many other interested Park organizations, was very active during the winter months encouraging Parks Canada Agency to reassess its initial decision not to fight the severe Spruce Budworm infestation affecting the Waskesiu town site and the Waskesiu Golf Course. At our Association's last AGM, our members unanimously authorized the Association's Board to take whatever steps were needed to combat the problem. We did so. Our Association donated thousands of dollars of financial resources and our members contributed numerous hours for this cause. Those efforts, led by the excellent organization and communication talents of the Save our Spruce Committee, have yielded very positive results - with the first season of spraying having been completed in June of this year. While many volunteers contributed a significant amount of time and effort in relation to the Spruce Budworm issue, very special thanks and recognition is extended by our Association to Herve Langlois, Don Ravis, Manley McLachlan, Wayne Simpson, Peter Strawson and Brian Matheson - all of whom have worked tirelessly on behalf of our community with great results.

3. Now that the spraying program has been approved to combat the Spruce Budworm outbreak, members of the Waskesiu community need to contribute to the cost of spraying and environmental monitoring. In that regard, each "residence" in Waskesiu has been asked to donate a minimum of $150 in order to cover that portion of the anticipated costs not being borne by Parks Canada. In simplest terms, many people in this community fought extremely hard on our behalf so that we would have the right to preserve our mature spruce trees and the beauty of Waskesiu townsite. Thanks to their efforts, we can now do just that. The time has come to donate our money to ensure it happens. As such, please make sure that you make your (minimum) $150 donation to the Waskesiu Townsite Enhancement Society Inc. ("WTESI") as soon as possible.

Please also note that, because WTESI is a registered charity, WTESI will issue you a charitable receipt, for Income Tax purposes, for your entire donation. Mailing information in relation to WTESI is contained in this Newsletter.

4. Representatives of our Association have started exploratory discussions with representatives of a number of other Associations and community groups operating in the Park (including the Waskesiu Cabin Owners Association, CPS, the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce and others). These discussions are aimed at determining whether there is community and Association support for the possible formation of an "umbrella" organization, designed to represent a wider community of interests. Our Association would continue to exist as a separate entity, but the "umbrella" organization could, if implemented, be there to "speak with one voice" in discussions with Parks Canada. More about this initiative will be discussed at our Association's AGM on July 26th.

5. The Association has been working with Waskesiu Community Council in relation to a number of other initiatives, including support and funding for a Waskesiu Youth Recreation Coordinator.

6. Finally, as always, we continue to seek input from our members, and to encourage well-reasoned discussion with Parks Canada officials in relation to numerous policy issues. These include the proposed Park Management Plan, the Waskesiu River dam, the potential closure of additional Park lakes to motorized watercraft and access issues in relation to Kingsmere Lake. These and other matters are clearly important to Cottage Owners over the short and the long term. We welcome your interest and input.

I wish to express my thanks to our 2002/2003 Board of Directors, being Al Ross, Audrey MacKenzie, Les Cooper, Barry Chapman, Dave King and Grit McCreath for their assistance and time.

In closing, please note that the Association’s Annual General Meeting this year starts at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July the 26th at the Library Building on Montreal Drive. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us. We need new directors and hope that you will consider stepping up to the plate. In the interim, best wishes for a safe, warm and happy Waskesiu summer!

Jim Kerby, President

President:		Jim Kerby
Treasurer:		Audrey Mackenzie
Secretary:		Les Cooper
Directors:		Barry Chapman, Dave King, Grit McCreath, Al Ross and Audrey Mackenzie

Note: The address for donations to the Waskesiu Townsite Enhancement Society Inc. ("WTESI") is as follows: WTESI, 69 South Industrial Drive, Prince Albert, S6V 7L7 or simply drop your cheque off at the Waskesiu Golf Course

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