Report on the use of the waterfront

Over the years there has been some confusion about what the rules are for the waterfront at Gracefield, and in particular the issue of where and when people are allowed to swim. There has also been discussion about restoring the beach and about the possibility of building a dock system to allow for deeper swimming. This report will be limited to the regulations governing what we currently have in terms of waterfront facilities and a later report will deal with the possibilities for beach restoration and swimming dock system. We thank the members of the Tent and Trailer community for looking into this further and helping to clarify some of the issues.
Could we install a dock system at the main beach and be able to use deeper water there? We have been unable to find regulations on this but the research is ongoing.
Could we find some way to renew the main beach? There are very strict rules that govern what is done near the shoreline, but there are certainly some thing that could be done.
Are these all some new regulations? If not how long have they been around? Some of these regulations date back at least to 1981, though they have been amended a variety of times over the years and we do not have the earlier versions of the regulations. We do know that the regulations we have now are the most recent version as of June 2010.
Is this all about insurance liability or ACQ regulations for the children’s camp? No, it is about following the laws of Quebec concerning the use of any waterfront in Quebec.
Can’t we just “Swim at our own risk”? Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre needs to show that we have provided supervised swim areas that meet the building code and publicized times for supervised swimming. We also need to show that we have encouraged the use of those swim areas and times and discouraged swimming in other areas.
We have heard that lifeguards are responsible for anyone within their “line of sight”. Is this the case? This does not appear in any regulations for the province of Quebec but is likely a requirement of the National Lifesaving Society. We are still trying to confirm some details with the National Lifesaving Society.

Many of us have grown up at Gracefield enjoying being able to swim wherever we want whenever we want. Swimming at Parliament Hill and Second Beach are longstanding and enjoyable traditions at Gracefield. It is difficult to change these patterns and traditions. The province of Quebec has these regulations in order to encourage the safest possible enjoyment of the rivers and lakes in the province. It is our hope that as improvements are made at the main beach over the years it will become a more accessible and enjoyable place to swim for the whole Gracefield Community.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Kendall

A Committee for Waterfront has been formed.
(For more information: info@gracefieldcamp.ca)