Sylvan Lake businesses are hoping for a last-minute surge of beach-goers on the final holiday weekend of the summer.
“We’re looking forward to a long weekend with no rain — but it’s not going to make up for the worst summer we’ve had in 21 seasons,” said Chris Bowers, owner of Sun Sport Recreation Ltd., which rents watercraft.
Although the August long weekend was nice enough, he added most other days were changeable.
Continual forecasts of thunderstorms have been keeping people away from the lake since June, and “having a handful of decent days in three months is not ideal…”
Although many of the predicted summer storms did not materialize, Bowers notices that repeat short periods of drizzle made people pack up and leave the beach.
“People from Edmonton and Calgary are constantly watching the forecast.”
They get scared off by predictions of thundershowers and rain — even if it doesn’t happen.
So far, the forecast for Saturday looks pretty good. A high of 23 C and a mix of sun and cloud is expected, while Sunday looks more iffy at 19 C and a chance of showers. Monday is supposed to be 20 C with sun and clouds.
Hopefully, it will be nice enough to bring Albertans to the lake on the last holiday of the summer, said Carlos Settle, who runs Sylvan Lake Boat Rentals with Greg Baumann. But he also admitted one busy weekend can’t make up for a dismal season.
Settle and his partner are discussing whether it’s worth continuing next year.
Boat and watercraft rentals are a side business that the two have built their holidays around since starting the company last season.
But between technical difficulties, some damage caused to their watercraft and the so-so weather that’s reduced recreational traffic to the lake, Settle added the financial picture has not been bright.
“Its been a room-temperature summer,” he added, that’s dealt a blow to lakeside businesses, including ice cream parlours and eateries.
Pete’s at the Beach restaurant owner Mark Rierson agreed that crowds haven’t been great since the September long weekend of 2018, when it snowed.
He remains unimpressed by the forecast for the upcoming weekend, saying “one nice day out of three isn’t ideal.”
There is some hope for a nicer fall, however.
Bowers said he will keep Sun Sport open for rentals until the end of September, provided the weather co-operates.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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