On July 9th the RM of Bjorkdale once again implemented a ban on all open fires (including fireworks) throughout the RM, including Marean Lake.

NOTE: this ban was lifted on August 5, 2021

Great news!  The new SaskTel cellular tower is operational and service has improved at the lake!

However, there is a wrinkle.  A number of cabin owners around the lake have been using cellular ‘boosters’ to improve their service and these are creating loops that now have the reverse effect and are degrading service. 

SaskTel is therefore requesting that all boosters be turned off immediately.  Service for everyone around the lake will be improved further once the boosters are off.

Due to the dry conditions, the RM of Bjorkdale has once again implemented a fire ban throughout the RM.  This applies to all open fires as well as fireworks, and is in effect immediately.

(NOTE: this ban is no longer in effect)

Lenard Cummins and Marlin Holm have both been acclaimed and will be joining Blaine Frederick on MLAC.  Welcome Len and Marlin!

We would also like to thank Carl Ens for his years of service on MLAC, as this election brings his term to a close.

Click here to view the official abandonment of poll issued by the RM of Bjorkdale.

The Marean Lake Advisory Committee (MLAC) is a committee of the RM of Bjorkdale No. 426 and is specific to the Marean Lake Resort community. Nominations to fill 2 positions on the committee are now open until 4:00 pm June 9, 2021.

Click this this link for more information on the election, including nomination forms and voter eligibility. Any eligible voter in the resort is also eligible to let their name stand for election. (Please note this only applies to property owners or residents in the Marean Lake Resort subdivision developed by the MLR Land Company.)

The involvement of owners from our resort community in this committee is important, please consider getting involved and putting your name forward.  If you would like any additional information, feel free to contact any of the current members.

Due to the cool wet weather the fire ban in the RM of Bjorkdale has been lifted, effective immediately.

Effective immediately the RM of Bjorkdale has issued a fire ban for areas that include Marean Lake. Click here for details.

The RM of Bjorkdale is proposing a Zoning Bylaw amendment that may affect some properties at Marean Lake. A public hearing will be held on May 14, 2021 and details can be be found on the RM of Bjorkdale website.

Municipal elections will be held on November 9, 2020 and any property owner or resident within the RM of Bjorkdale is eligible to vote. This includes owners/residents at Marean Lake.

Being able to vote in the election will be key to ensuring this can happen. With the sudden increase in COVID cases in this area of the province MLAC is concerned that the RM of Bjorkdale has yet to announce the use of mail-in ballots to facilitate safe voting. Many RM’s and urban municipalities around the province have already done so and are actively planning to ensure safe access to voting during the pandemic.

MLAC is formally approaching the RM of Bjorkdale with these concerns and would like to encourage individual voters to do the same. We are asking that you please take a few minutes and either write or email the office of the RM of Bjorkdale encouraging them to implement mail-in ballots. Your message can be as simple as something like this:

“As tax paying property owner in the RM of Bjorkdale I would like to request the use of mail-in ballots for municipal elections this fall. This will give me the right to exercise my vote from the safety of my home during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Please include your name and the proper street address of your property at Marean Lake so they can verify you as a property owner or resident.

The next RM Council meeting is scheduled for August 12th and it would be very helpful for your message to reach the office before then.

Messages can be sent to:

The RM of Bjorkdale 426
PO Box 60
Bjorkdale, SK
S0E 0E0

rm426office@sasktel.net

Yesterday the Province advised of changes to the use of beaches, starting this Friday, June 12th. This is relatively short notice and and much needs to be done in our resort to get things ready, so bear with us if things take a little longer than Friday.

We will be installing signage (as soon as it is available) reminding users of these guidelines, but we do not have the capacity to supervise this area. Users will be on their own to self-police and use the area accordingly.

The full text of the Provincial order can be read at this link, but here are the most relevant points regarding our resort:

• People exhibiting signs of illness should not enter beach areas. If you think you may be sick, use the Government of Saskatchewan’s self-assessment tool for COVID-19 and follow the subsequent directions.
• Individuals from different groups must maintain a physical distance of two metres outdoors, indoors, on the beach and in the water. Towels and beach gear should be set up with four metres between groups to allow physical distancing to be maintained for those entering or exiting the area.
• There must be no more individuals per group than allowed under the private and public gathering restrictions.
• Towels, beach toys, food and other items should not be shared between members of different groups.
• Our beach are is small, if the beach area is full please do not crowd it. Come back another time.
• Bring your own picnic table covers, cleaning supplies, hand hygiene supplies and other personal items.
• Users should clean and disinfect surfaces before and after using (e.g. picnic tables), and practice frequent hand hygiene, especially before and after consuming food.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada if you come into contact with public or common touch surfaces (e.g. washroom facilities, shower taps, benches, tables, playground equipment).
• Indoor shower and change facilities will remain closed.
• The public washrooms will now be open.
• Events are not permitted on the beach.
• The floating slide and playground will be available for use.

Beach users have also pointed out that sunflower seed shells discarded on the ground may be problematic, therefore we are asking that everyone be courteous and dispose of them in the garbage cans using a cup or container.