Sikome Lake fees should be eliminated: Wildrose

Wildrose called on the NDP government to immediately eliminate entrance fees at Sikome Lake, but some of those enjoying the popular Calgary beach area on Friday said they don't mind shelling out to get in.

Sandi McNeill has lived in Calgary for 22 years and described Sikome Lake as "a place you can have a kid's birthday party, just come for the day, spend the day at the beach."

"If you come early you can always get a good spot," McNeill said.

"I just think people forget about Sikome. For a while there, there was swimmer's itch and the water wasn't safe, but for the past couple years, and especially post flood, it's beautiful."

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An entrance fee was added to get into the provincial park this year — $5 for adults, $3 for kids aged six to 17 and $10 for families (up to two adults and children living at the same address) — which McNeill said she doesn't mind paying.

"I'd pay $20," she said.

"You drive down, you bring your cooler, you can bring your food, you can have a picnic. It's lovely, and you know the water is safe. They're taking care of it. Paying for safety is good."

'Nickel-and-diming'

But the Wildrose Party called on the NDP government Friday to immediately eliminate the fees "so that struggling Albertans can continue to enjoy this great provincial destination."

"This is just the latest example of the NDP nickel-and-diming families," said Calgary-Foothills MLA Prasad Panda.

"For years, there was nowhere better for an inexpensive day of rest and relaxation than Sikome Lake, but with these new fees, the NDP has managed to take that away from families. The numbers don't lie. People are no longer coming to the lake the way they once did."

The Wildrose said just 4,400 passes had been sold this year, as of the end of July.

Growing up in Calgary, Danielle Speed didn't spend time at Sikome Lake, but was there with her own child Friday and was somewhat surprised at how empty it seemed.

"It's a little shocking, but it's only supposed to be 21 C today," she said.

Speed said she didn't mind paying to get in.

"Only because you can probably spend the entire day down here, so for $8 for the two of us, I don't mind it, especially when you consider what half the costs are around the city," she said.

This weekend's forecast calls for a high of 26 C on Saturday and 28 C on Sunday.