I hope that everyone was able to navigate their way through the winter months and is looking forward to spending long days at their cabins this summer. It's shaping up to be a busy summer again at Pike Lake, with many staple events taking place again this year. Here's to looking forward to farmer tans and the smell of bug spray in the air!

With lots of activities, events and projects going on at Pike Lake, this letter will give you an idea of what to expect this summer. This letter will also contain reminders for cottage owners regarding policies and procedures when owning a cabin in provincial parks. Also, all documents relating to cottaging can be found online at www.saskatchewan.ca/cottaging. I have also included a copy of Pike Lake's annual report to the consumer based on our water testing records from 2022.

Below is a link to the 2023 Water Quality Report for Pike Lake Provincial Park.

The new Picnic Pavilion is open and available for guest bookings throughout the summer.

Our yurt got a test run this winter and is ready to hit the ground running this spring/summer. Bookings for the yurt can be made online until September 30.

Work on the gift of tree nature trail will occur this fall. The plan is to install a new handrail and steps on the walking trail.

More work is to be done on the disc golf course this spring/summer. Construction of tee boxes and a map are currently planned.

The park received a new zero turn mower late this winter, which is a welcome addition for the summer.

The pool will be getting four new sand filters that will be installed this spring, so they are ready for opening day.

There are no new major capital projects planned for this coming year but I'm hoping that we are in line to have another major project next year.

The 5th Annual Fransaskois Festival will be taking place July 7-9. This public event will be held at the Recreation Hall, group site 3 and overflow this summer. This is a great event for visitors to celebrate French and share French heritage with numerous campers, visitors, and cottage owners within the park.

The car show kicks off our summer events on June 4. This is a long-standing tradition at Pike Lake and enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Follow-up information will be provided regarding this event.

The Living Sky triathlon is returning on June 24. Come cheer on these athletes as they compete in the first road race of the year. As a reminder, part of the parking lot and road on Shady Lane will be blocked off for this event.

There will be two midnight swims this year July 1 and August 5

Sask Express will be coming to the park Friday July 21. Stay tuned for more information.

The tentative date for the pool to open this year is Thursday June 8.

Cottage lessees may pick up their 2023-24 transferable Park Specific Entry Permits from the park office in which their cottage is located beginning May 15, 2023. Pick up for the Annual Park Entry Permits will be available at the park office currently from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the May long weekend. Hours after the May long weekend have yet to be finalized but will be communicated out later on. Once cottage lessees have retrieved their permits, they are considered received and no further permits will be re-issued. If additional permits are required, cottage lessees may purchase a 2023-24 transferrable Annual Park Entry Permit from any provincial park office in Saskatchewan. The two issued transferrable Park Specific Entry Permits are associated with the lease and not the person; therefore, when transferring a lease please ensure these park specific passes are also transferred to the new lease owner as additional ones will not be issued.

Please remember that vehicles within provincial parks are required to always display a valid entry permit throughout the year.

Anyone picking up Annual Park Entry Permits associated with a cottage property at a provincial park must:

• Be named on the provincial park cottage lease agreement.
• Update contact information with park official.
• Provide personal identification.
• Sign for the permits.

As in previous years, where non-compliance issues remain, Annual Park Entry Permits may be withheld by the Ministry until outstanding non-compliant issues have been resolved. Examples of this are (but not limited to): lease fee arrears, expired lease, pending assignment of lease (sale) or unresolved estate (one lessee deceased). If any of these circumstances apply to you, please contact the park office for assistance. These permits will be held in Regina - the Regina office will advance these assigned permits once compliance has been reached.

The afterhours emergency call line is called the Park Watch Line. The Park Watch Line is for emergency situations that occur after office hours. For all other park inquiries, please call the office during regular business hours. The Park Watch Number is: 1-800-667-1788

Please ensure all equipment, trailers, water tanks, vehicles, boats, etc. are on your lease property and not on the roadway. They may be towed at your cost. There is a storage compound located at the old ball diamond. Cottage owners are encouraged to store items at this secure location. The fee is broken down May 16 to September 3 at $2 per day and an offseason fee of $150.

This storage compound is also available to the public.

Foreshore/Shoreline Use Permits are required and must be completed and returned to our office before putting in a dock. A permit number will be assigned by the office and docks must be marked with a permit number. Permit fees: Docks- $40, Slips-$20, Lifts- $20. Permit fees are invoiced annually from our Regina office.

The Ministry has slightly increased entrance fees to help offset higher operational costs. The camping and entry fees are as followed:

• Annuals - $82.
• Weekly - $42.
• Daily - $11.
• Large Electrical Group Sites: $240.
• Yurt - $85.
• Non-Electrical - $20.
• Electrical - $33.

A Tree Removal Form is required for the removal of any tree, dead or alive, on leased lots within the park. This form can be emailed to you or picked up at the office. You are allowed to trim trees on your property without having to fill out a form. If you have any questions, please call the office.

A reminder that all structures (permanent or non- permanent) are not allowed within the first 20 feet of your leased property. This includes sheds and carports. Please refer to the Provincial Park Cottage Subdivision Directives for additional subdivision standards.

Building Permits are required for any work done to the exterior of your cabin or in the construction of any structure on your leased lot. Examples of these are staircases, sheds, decks, and cottage siding replacement.

Dogs are required to always be on a leash in the park. No matter the size or where you are in the park, they need to be leashed. Also, please remember that picking up after your pet is part of being a responsible owner, no matter where your pet does their business.

There are many cottages that require lease renewals in the next year. This is a reminder that you require a site inspection and septic integrity test before your lease can be renewed. A RPR for the property is also a requirement of the lease renewal. If you have any questions regarding this process, please give me a call.

Donations can be made online or in-park to specific areas of the park system customers feel passionate about. Your donation can directly help enhance and preserve our provincial parks long into the future. The generosity of your donation will help fund innovations and new experiences while also supporting education and stewardship, making you a part of the history and the future of Saskatchewan Provincial Parks.

To learn more and donate, visit saskparks.com/donate

Please ensure the Park office has your most recent email address and contact information as all correspondence from the park will be communicated via email.

In closing, it's my hope that everyone has a fantastic year enjoying their cabins to their full potential. With all the chaos going on around the world, I hope you find Pike Lake Provincial Park relaxing and rejuvenating. Here's to a great summer filled with backyard campfires, laughter, and calm paddles down the lake. Take care and cheers to another summer at Pike Lake Provincial Park.

Sincerely,