March 2026 Update

March 17, 2026 · Categories: News
Hello Six Mile Lake Cottager,
This month is always the hardest for those who are looking forward to opening the cottage. However, it does seem that winter’s back has been broken. The snowbanks have fallen to less than half their original size and the ground is starting to peep through.  But don’t be fooled by the warmer weather. Hang in there, we have a little more than one month before the ice goes out on the lake.

Allan Hopkirk

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Allan Hopkirk at the age of 82. Allan served on our board until 2021 and for over 40 years has managed our navigation safety program. It has been Allan and his team who have been responsible for making sure the shoals and channels on our lake have been safely marked. The SMLCA and the lake community owe him a huge debt of gratitude.

Allan will be missed by many on the lake. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Cottage Life Partnership

Cottage Life is pleased to offer all SMLCA members a free, three-issue subscription to Cottage Life magazine along with one complimentary ticket to the Cottage Life Show. Click on this link to take advantage of this offer that can be redeemed using a valid Canada Post mailing address and email to sign up. For existing Cottage Life magazine subscribers, the free issues will be added onto their current subscription. Those with U.S. mailing addresses will receive the digital edition of the magazine.

Township Public Meeting on Gross Floor Area changes to the Zoning By-law

We attended the Public Meeting on March 10th 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 gross floor area (GFA). To review the survey, go here. The purpose of the application is to re-establish the definition of GFA for dwellings in the Six Mile Lake Residential (SR6) Zone to the definition that existed prior to 2014. The effect of the application is to exclude certain areas (e.g., attached garages, unfinished basements, etc.) from GFA. Note that this matter has been deferred to the April Planning Council meeting where a decision will be rendered on the options presented. Here is a link to related documents. To view the March 10 planning council meeting on Youtube, go here and start watching at 3:07:08.

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:

  • 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 for 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 to be ready to take over this position for 2027.
  • Fireworks Coordinator. Working with Craig Cameron, you will train to be ready to take over 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!

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@sixmilelake.net.

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

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 Six Mile Lake Directory

This year, 2026, is a directory year. Now is the 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.

The Georgian Bay Township Newsletter

Here is a link to The Georgian Bay Times newsletter for March 2026.

 

The board wishes you a safe and happy late winter season. We would remind you that it’s time to stop venturing on the ice. Although it may still be quite thick, the warm sunny days weaken its structure and can make it unsafe.