Dwight Beach goers will soon be able to get ice cream at the beach.
Following a lengthy discussion, Lake of Bays council agreed to enter into a lease agreement with the owner of an ice cream truck for space at Dwight Beach.
The lease will run from June 10 to October 11 and cost the applicant $3,500 for the season. Council reduced the hours of operation for the ice cream vendor from the requested 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., noting that they didn’t think there’d be much business after 6 p.m.
Councillors expressed concern about the effect a growing number of food trucks could have on year-round businesses. They were also concerned about litter and the impact the truck would have on the view.
“I’m very torn by this,” said Councillor Nancy Tapley. “There’s so many food trucks popping up. I feel sorry for the restaurants and the hotels and the retail stores that are selling ice cream or food… there’s nine [food trucks]between Huntsville and here now.”
Tapley also said Dwight Beach is probably the most photographed beach on the lake and suggested the hours of operation for the ice cream truck could be shortened. “I mean after six o’clock people are going for dinner, not ice cream…,” she said.
Council agreed to reduce the hours.
Both Deputy Mayor Bob Lacroix and Councillor Rick Brooks said they wanted to see the vendor stick to ice cream as per their application.
Council heard that the lease agreement stipulates what the vendor will be selling.
Other sites like Gouldie Park were also considered but Lacroix noted it would mean sacrificing valuable public parking space.
In the end, Mayor Terry Glover suggested the municipality approve the truck on a trial period and revisit the issue at the end of the season.
Council agreed to enter into a lease agreement with the applicant for a site at Dwight Beach. They also agreed to revisit the issue at the end of the season to see if any problems arise, particularly since, as Councillor Brooks noted, the bylaw governing such trucks on municipal property was enacted before the proliferation of food trucks began.
You can find the staff report here (pdf).
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Tim Sluman says
I am not against an ice cream truck at Dwight beach, but by putting it where is indicated by the red markings! It will render the boat launch almost useless due to it sticking out into the boat ramp driveway! That boat ramp is tight as it is and already difficult to launch a boat at in the height of tourist season! Also I would hope that the serving side of the ice cream truck would be towards the rocks or the boat ramp will be unusable due to their customers being on the ramp!
John Oliver says
We use to live in Dwight, just up Butternut Hill. Part of the pleasure was in spending a few hours on a sunny day at Dwight beach, not too crowded with mostly locals and their young families. Part of attraction was going up to the corner store for an ice cream or soft drink. Not so sure if food trucks and ice cream trucks will have the same appeal. The next thing will be a few amusements like rides and loud music. Oh sure they will appeal to some, but then we will all be lamenting about what happened to our quiet, peaceful, unspoiled and safe little beach. It seems some can’t be satisfied without spoiling what we loved about the things that are no longer what attracted us in the first place. Oh well, I guess a few bucks is better than a little slice of heaven.
Janine M Scott says
I am all in favour of small business ventures in Dwight, but the location in front of the boat launch is not a good idea. The boat launch is a great choice for larger boats launching and there are usually line ups by the boaters to use the launch. There are also a lot of kids jumping and or fishing on the dock and it will be very congested for all in that location. I don’t think this decision to let an ice cream truck in that location is wise.
Terry McCaffery says
This is not a good idea…not enough room to accommodate boat launching if the ice cream truck is placed parallel to the boat ramp! They should scuttle this plan…I foresee boat launchers possibly backing into the vehicle or into a pedestrian! The area will be too congested!
Brian Douglas Pudsey says
The placing of a food truck on Dwight beach is a breach of the peace that is already getting worse around Dwight Bay. The town dock and the view of the lake is famous in Muskoka and the beach generally has been a peaceful place for residents and visitors until a few years ago. Most of the food trucks look like escapees from a third-rate trailer park; they do not enhance the beauty of anything. There is already a corner store (operating since the 1950s) selling ice cream 100 meters away. Most folks enjoy the beach respectfully, but often, there are groups and individuals who block the roads, create excessive noise that can be heard around the bay and leave trash for others to deal with. Why are we doing this? $3500 does not come close to compensating for the eyesore. And why do this at all? More traffic? More rented watercraft buzzing incessantly on the bay and speeding down the Oxtongue? Let’s get real here.
Merrill Perret says
I agree with the complaints in the previous comments: a very poor location, for all the reasons listed. I simply cannot understand why this was even considered, let alone approved.
Tom Pinckard says
This is the single most inane decision yet by this Council.
Dwight Beach belongs to everyone in the Township. Were they consulted? Clearly no one asked for serious, if any, input from the Dwight village residents, and in particular from those residing along Charley Thompson Rd, Dwight Beach Rd or Lake of Bays Lane before embarking on this absurdity.
Has any single member of Council ever been to the Boat Ramp on a weekend morning to witness the chaos? Dwight Beach Road becomes impassable, the line up for the ramp can run to some dozen or more vehicles with boats on trailers, tempers flare, and the entire ramp and it’s surrounds are fully utilized in the launching and retrieval of watercraft.
Has any Council member been down to the ramp when Fire Practice is underway? Or, dare I ask, when a real fire is underway and the ramp and “Dry Hydrant” are being fully utilized in an emergency situation? Hmm, did anyone consult the Fire Department?
The Dwight Dock, Ramp, and the entire length of Dwight Beach used to be a pristine aesthetic attraction for Township residents of all ages, particularly for parents and their children. Tourists too. It was iconic. As residents we were proud of it. For some, like me, it is their touchstone. However, it has knowingly been allowed to deteriorate through abject neglect for some 20+ years to the point where it has been degraded to a civic embarrassment. That is without mentioning the significant capital cost to restore it. Repeated requests have been ignored.
So, an ice cream truck on a boat ramp, eh? Hmm, why not add a Ferris Wheel and the Wild Mouse! Coney Island anyone?
Disappointing is the most kind word I can come up with at the moment.
Aubrey Cotton says
Another piece of junk on our beach,of course they say council approved but with these kind of decisions why was the public not involved.leadership! What leadership.time for change in October.
Catherine Clail says
I’m in agreement with all other comments on this issue. I’ve loved Dwight since childhood, but that love came from a seeing a peaceful and beautiful small community with only the beauty of the natural environment presenting itself. Dwight Beach is becoming too crowded with noisy, unrelenting activities. I’m tired of getting off the road I love to walk because ATVs and snowmobiles (in winter) are crowding out pedestrians. I came within inches of being hit by a snowmobile this past winter and now it may be impossible to enjoy the pier because of a noisy, smelly ice cream truck. Also I fear for the longtime business up the street which has been selling ice cream for a long time. Sad days ahead, when the peace of Nature and local residents is compromised. Finally, another potential source of food garbage for bears looking for food. I doubt a bear proof bin will be provided!