Parks Canada Spring 2018 Newsletter
Click here to read the recent newsletter released by Parks Canada.
Update on Poonamalie Lock 32 Repairs
According to a Parks Canada press release this week, the first phase of historic stone masonry repairs at Poonamalie Lock 32 is nearing completion. Work will finalize with site restoration in mid-May.
The cofferdam upstream of the lock has now been removed. Stone replacement, repointing, and grouting is complete on the upstream and downstream wing walls, while stone replacement and repointing continues on the west wall within the lock. While much of the scaffolding has been removed from around the lock, the remaining scaffolding will be removed in early May.
Click here for more details.
50% off Seasonal Lockage for Canoes and Kayaks
Parks Canada has announced it is offering 50% off seasonal lockage passes for canoes and kayaks this year. To order your permit and for more details, click here.
Parks Canada Launches Water Management InfoNet
Parks Canada has recently launched the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet.
The InfoNet offers a variety of information related to water management on the Rideau Canal, including background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along the Rideau Canal.
The new water levels tool within the InfoNet will be of particular interest to our members; it provides lake levels data from the last 30 days and graphic representation of levels for the current year. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways, including two locations at either end of Big Rideau Lake.
Click the link below to access the InfoNet home page.
Celebration of Life for Bill Belanger
The following invitation has been issued by the children of the late Bill Belanger:
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Bill Belanger on Sunday July 29, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 pm, at the Timber Run Golf Course, 154 Caldwell Street in Lanark.
At 1:00 we will have short presentations from: Bill's cherished sister Ann Belanger, an old friend since his Christie Lake days (Ron Ensom), a beloved former student (Don MacGregor), his dear water-safety friend of more than 50 years (Jim O'Brien) and a longtime friend and former elementary student (Tom Ritchie). After, we invite you stay and visit with old friends and new.
As many of you know, our father had a deep love of log buildings. Timber Run is a beautiful log structure that is almost equal driving distance from Ottawa and the Big Rideau Lake: the two communities that he called home.
We are honored to have you join us. Our father touched many lives and we encourage you to attend. Please register on this website if you plan to attend. Your registration will help us to plan the event and to ensure that this invitation has reached all those who may want to attend.
We look forward to spending time with you while we collectively remember Bill.
Thank you,
Kristine and Jeff Belanger (Bill's children)
The photo above was taken in the summer of 2017 on the Big Rideau Lake; Bill was 81 years of age and in his happy place. Bill's Obituary appears below:
Obituary - William Allan (Bill) Belanger
February 10, 1936 - December 20, 2017
William Allan (Bill) Belanger passed away suddenly en route to visiting family in Calgary on December 20, 2017. Although ill with cancer, his zest for life and his search for purpose was unwavering. He was passionate about education , being a teacher, principal and Ottawa Teacher's College master. He spent the last 25 years of his professional journey as a professor at the University of Ottawa in the faculty of Education. His professional contributions echoed his life outside work. He was intrigued with the idea of perspective and found value in what others brought to a situation, regardless of their age or position. He embraced innovation and creativity. He was generous with his time, having a long history of volunteering with numerous organizations, such as the Red Cross (Water Safety), Christie Lake Camp and more recently the Big Rideau Lakes Association. Towards the end of his life, he realized a life-long dream of living in a log home he built in a community where, in his words, "the houses were farther apart but the people were closer together". Bill will be deeply missed for his generous spirit, his quirky sense of humour, his youthful outlook and his desire to pursue the "road less travelled". He is survived by his wife Donna Belanger and is cherished by their two children, Jeff (Ottawa) and Kristine (Calgary). He is lovingly remembered by his granddaughters (Shaelin and Raia of Calgary), his treasured sister Ann Belanger (Uxbridge) and his brother Paul Belanger (Tuscon). Bill valued and enjoyed his friends and his community; please know you were very important to him. The family thanks Dr. Peter Kuling for the outstanding medical care he offered to Bill over the years; Bill was grateful for your humanity and support.
In memory of Bill, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Update on Poonamalie Lock 32 Repairs
Historic masonry repairs are progressing at Poonamalie Lock 32; click here to read the Parks Canada information update.