Just a few weeks to go until we put our clocks forward on March 7^th. It warms the heart when we notice the increased light in the late afternoons and makes us look forward to spring.

Watersheds Canada Webinar on Road Salt and the Environment

While there’s scientific and civic consensus that road salt is a huge issue for our environmental systems, conflicting information abounds when it comes to salt alternatives. Are there chemical de-icers that are okay for our water bodies? How do natural alternatives like beet juice stack up? What should you be doing at home to move away from winter salt use?

Join Watersheds Canada for this webinar on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 pm to sort through the realities, myths, and mysteries of alternatives to road salt PLUS receive some actionable takeaways for what you can do to help address salt pollution!

The session will feature:

• learning from experts and practitioners,
• a facilitated panel discussion with audience Q&A, and
• resources to help you take action on salt pollution in your community.

Go here to register and receive a link: https://www.waterwatchers.ca/road_salt_alternatives

Township Public Meeting on GFA changes to the Zoning By-law

We attended the open house on February 13^th sponsored by the Township of Georgian Bay Planning Department (Application No Z26-01) and spoke about how these changes are consistent with most of the findings of the 2019 Cottagers’ Survey regarding GFA. To review the survey go here: https://sixmilelake.net/pub/survey/SML_2019_Landowner_Survey.pdf .

The purpose of the application is to re-establish the definition of Gross Floor Area (GFA) for dwellings in the Six Mile Lake Residential (SR6) Zone back to the way it was prior to 2014. The effect of the application is to exclude certain areas (e.g., attached garages, unfinished basements, etc.) from GFA.

There will be a public meeting on Tuesday, March 10^th, 2026 at 9 a.m. in council chambers or on Zoom. Here is a link to related documents:

https://georgianbay.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/178413/ . You can submit comments as well as register to attend the meeting on zoom by email to the Planning Department at: planning@gbtownship.ca or by regular mail or by using the drop box located beside the front doors at the Administration Centre. You may also contact the Township Planner, Jeff Kratky, by phone at (705) 536 – 2337 ext. 237.

Positions available at the SMLCA

We are in constant need of help to make your cottage experience even more awesome. Here are some of the ways you can chip in:

• Director. We still have one spot open on our board for a director at large. It is so much fun planning events and getting involved with the affairs of the lake. You don’t have to be experienced, just willing to dig in.
• Accountant. Calling all accountants. We are looking for a licensed accountant to perform the review of our annual statements. This is a paid position. Please contact rick.jocsak@sixmilelake.net
• Editor of ECHOES Newsletter. Being the editor of the Echoes is an editorial and project management task, not a writing task but rather entails:

·      Creating an editorial plan with firm deadlines for publication

·      Finalizing with the board the content for each issue

·      Soliciting articles and nudging writers to submit on time

·      Editing and proofreading the articles

·      Sending final Word documents to our graphic designer

• Communications Officer. We’re looking for someone to coordinate our communications activities. We’re also looking for anyone who likes writing and would like to produce our communications on this eblast and on our social media page.
• Promotional Products Coordinator. We’re looking for someone to help with sourcing new promotional items. This also includes keeping inventory and selling items at our events.
• New Cottager Outreach. Our new cottager visiting committee is going strong and we could always use more helpers to find and visit new cottagers to welcome them to the lake.
• Regatta Coordinator. Working with Ted Mackay, you will train into this position for 2027.
• Fireworks Coordinator. Working with Craig Cameron, you will train into this position for 2027.

As the saying goes, ‘many hands make light work’ and we encourage you to join us. It’s very rewarding bringing about the things and events that help make Six Mile Lake such a wonderful community!

The Six Mile Lake Directory

This year, 2026, is a directory year. Now is a good time to make sure your information in our directory is accurate. Take a moment and look at your 2024 directory and if you have any changes please let Sarah know at membership@sixmilelake.net.

Renew your membership for 2026-27

Our membership year runs from June 1 to May 31.  It will soon be time to renew for 2026/2027!  We will be sending out online renewal instructions by email to all current members early May.

Please make sure we have your current email address.  You can send any changes to us at membership@sixmilelalke.net.

We suggest that you opt for auto-renewal: it’s a great convenience for you and a boon for the association.

Another bonus for being a member is that we will be offering a three-month free subscription to Cottage Life Magazine worth $30, and one free pass for the Cottage Life show. If you have already subscribed, you will get an additional three months free.

For more information on the SMLCA, to learn how to become a Member, or make donations for fireworks or for improvements to the Regatta Site, please visit our membership portal: https://smlca.wildapricot.org.

If you prefer to have an invoice sent to you by mail contact Sarah by email at: membership@sixmilelake.net or by phone: 647-823-8458.

The Georgian Bay Township Newsletter

Here is a link to The Georgian Bay Times newsletter for February 2026. https://www.gbtownship.ca/media/uz0bqwch/gbt_february-2026-1.pdf

The board wishes you a safe and happy winter season and reminds you to be careful when venturing out on the ice.