On this, the first day of summer, the provincial government has announced their intention to invest $7.4 million into funding for beach safety officers at three Manitoba beaches over the next four years.
“Today is officially the start of summer and for many Manitobans, summer includes a trip to the beach,” said Tracy Schmidt, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. “Manitoba has so many beautiful beaches and lakes offering Manitobans many opportunities to swim or soak their feet and enjoy the water. We encourage all Manitobans to be vigilant in and around the water.”
Safety officers will be stationed at three provincial park beaches: Birds Hill, Grand Beach (West Beach), and Winnipeg Beach. They will be on hand to provide public education, emergency response, and first aid.
Still, the province asks parents and guardians to continue to supervise their children at these and all water locations.
Where there are no beach officers on duty, the Manitoba government urges everyone, especially boaters, children, and weak swimmers, to wear life jackets.
For this reason, a life jacket loaner program is available at select beaches across the province. Hecla (Gull Harbour) was added this year. The others include Bakers Narrows, Birds Hill, Clearwater (Campers Cove), Grass River (Gyles and Iskwasum lakes), Paint Lake, Manipogo, Moose Lake, Rainbow Beach, St. Malo (Main and Sunset Shores), Spruce Woods, and Stephenfield.
Additionally, accessibility mats will be installed at over a dozen beaches within provincial parks, and more locations are being considered for future installation. These mats will be there to assist those who depend on mobility aids as well as parents with strollers and wagons.
Finally, the province reminds everyone to recognize their own limits when it comes to water skills. This means swimming only a safe distance and duration from shorelines. Also, people are recommended to keep to designated swim areas to prevent from venturing into unsafe environments.
