Fishing Lake History Page

 

 

This article, describing the formation of the Fishing Lake Regional Parks, was written in the early 1980's. There have been some changes since then.

    What is now known as Fishing Lake Regional Park consists of four public recreation areas adjoining Fishing Lake, excluding the cottage sub-divisions. They are: Saskin Beach, operated by the Kinsmen of Wadena and District; K.C. Beach by the Foam Lake Knights of Columbus Club; the Golf Course by the Foam Lake Golf and Country Club; and Leslie Beach by the Leslie Beach Co-op Association.

 

Leslie Beach 1946

 

    Originating as projects by the above-mentioned organizations, with some assistance from the surrounding towns, villages, and rural municipalities, their potential as favorite recreational areas was soon recognized and further development became necessary.

    In 1967, Saskin Beach, the Golf Course and K.C. Beach entered into an agreement with the Provincial Department of Tourism to form the Fishing Lake Regional Park Authority to administer the newly-formed Regional Park. This enabled them to receive assistance in the form of grants to cover a portion of their capital and maintenance costs. Leslie Beach continued on its own resources until 1978 when it also joined the Regional Park.

Leslie Beach 1976

    This park is administered by a Regional Park Authority that is presently a 14-member body, consisting of representatives from:

A. The participating organizations which operate the four public recreation areas.

B. The sponsoring towns and rural municipalities, which provide some assistance, financial or in kind, and to which the sponsored organizations are accountable.

    Saskin Beach is sponsored by the Town of Wadena and the R.M.’s of Lakeview and Sasman; Leslie Beach by the R.M. of Foam Lake. The Golf Course and K.C. Beach are sponsored by the Town of Foam Lake.

    Initially, the four recreation sites were developed with a great deal of voluntary labour and considerable expense by the fore-mentioned organizations. Since the formation of the Regional Park, financial assistance from the sponsoring municipalities and the Province of Saskatchewan have enabled the organizations to provide capital improvements totalling almost half a million dollars, in the form of more modern facilities, general beach improvements, tree planting, water supplies and expanded camping facilities. In 1983, the Park Authority entered into agreement with the Province of Saskatchewan and the sponsoring municipalities for another five year program of capital improvements totalling $350,000. This will provide general upgrading and expansion of facilities on the beaches and grass or artificial turf greens on the Golf Course.

    Today, Fishing Lake Regional Park is rated as one of the finest and most popular Regional Parks in the Province.

Leslie Beach 2006