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6 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, March 20, 1990 The Port Perry Star 235 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Penry Star is authorized as second dass mail by the Elsewhere $60.00 per year. Single Copy 50¢ EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten Editor - John B. McClelland News/Features - Julia Ashton News/Features - Kelly Storry BUSINESS OFFICE Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby Billing Department - Louise Hope Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. PRODUCTION ADVERTISING Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Annabell Harrison Advertising Co-ordinator - Valerie Ellis Subscription Rate: In Canada $20.00 per year Trudy Empringham Advertising Sales Representative - Anna Gouldbumn Darlene Hlozan Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Linda Ruhl, Tracy O'Neil {m CNA |i Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. Port Perry, Ontario Editorial Comment THE ZEBRAS It was not too many years ago that residents of Scugog Township were sickened at the sight of aquatic weeds growing everywhere in Lake Scugog. The milfoil became such a problem that for a couple of summers, the tourist and sport fishing industry was damaged because people simply refused to bring their boats to Lake Scugog. The weed problem seems to have disappeared. But there is another, potentially more serious, problem lurking just under the surface. Zebra mussels. Environmentalists are already sounding the alarm over zebra mussel infestation into Lake St. Clair and ~ Lake Erie. The mussels are now starting to show up in Lake Huron, Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte area. A spokesperson for the Lindsay office of the Ministry of Natural Resources told the Star last week that so far the ze- bras have not arrived in the Kawarthas. But MNR is highly fearful that it may be just a matter of time. And should these zebra mussels ever find their way into a lake like Scugog, and get a solid hold, the potential for envi- ronmental disasters is enormous. Right off the bat, zebra mussels like warm water, and they tho water with high calcium levels (necessary for shell build- ing Not only do the zebras foul docks and piers, boat hulls, and swimming beaches, they have been known to move into a spawning area, particularly for yellow pickerel. But when it comes to doing damage to the environment, this list goes on. The mussels feed on algae. If enough is re- moved from the water columns, the clarity of the water im- proves, but this in turn allows sunlight to penetrate to the bot- tom of a shallow lake like Scugog, which means enhanced vegetation growth. Locally, MNR officials are very worried about zebra mus- sels finding their way into the Kawarthas as early as this sum- mer. Presently, high level officials with the Ministry are working on ways to prevent the spread but regulations may not be in place this spring. But anglers and pleasure boaters can do their bit to pre- vent these dreaded mussels from getting into an inland water chain like the Kawarthas. As the MNR spokesperson told the Star last week, it takes just one mussel arriving on the hull of a boat or a trailer to start the chain in motion. One female can produce 30,000 larvae. With the new boating season just around the corner, here are a few Sipe tips that anglers and boaters can use which may just help in keeping the mussels out of the Kawarthas. If you transport your boat from water where they exist now (Lake Ontario etc.,) check the hull very carefully before putting the boat into an inland lake or river. The mussels are visible, about one inch in length with tiny stripes, hence the "zebra" name. The larvae are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye, but they feel grainy to the hand if on a boat hull. Anglers can make sure they do not transport bait from one lake to another, as larvae are found in bait buckets. Like- wise, empty the "live well" before leaving a body of water where the mussels are found. Zebra mussels are a new environmental hazard to Cana- da and the United States. Native to the Caspian and Black Seas in Europe, it is widely believed they were introduced four years ago to Lake St. Clair when a freighter emptied its ballast water close to shore. In Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and Lake Ontario, they are creating huge problems by clogging drinking water intake pipes, a problem that will cost millions to correct. And since they are not native to North America, they have no natural predators. Certainly, concerned anglers and pleasure boaters can (Turn to page 10) "You ovERSPENT, $0 YOU CUT BACK. QUR ALLOWANCE ?* "\ DoN'TeET IT!" "Correct ! © 4 ii ALL OR NOTHING? | took a few minutes of my time last week to answer the questions in a survey sent out by the Scug ecreational Steering Committee, but found some difficulty in the over- simplification of the form. The survey. with accompanying sketch of the proposed facility, gave me the impression that we had to either accept, or reject the en- tire complex. It appeared to be "all or nothing." This may not have been the intention of the steering committee, but this was the impression received by myself and more than a few people | have talked to about the project. Personally | think the plan is great. There isn't a community anywhere that wouldn't love to have twin ice pads, swimming pool, squash courts, exercise rooms and a large banquet fa- cility. It would be great to take my kids swim- ming in Port Perry, and have a chance to work- out only a few blocks from home. But what about the tremendous costs? Where is the money going to come from? The 1987 Feasibility Study estimates the cost to build the complex would range between $3.35 million and $4.5 million. And even if the project Were given the go- ahead today, by the Township and ratepayers, it could take another year to get the council, com- mittee, consultants, architects, engineers and contractors to approve a final plan for tendering and then get started on construction. The cost of the Scugog Recreation Com- plex could probably double 1987 estimates by the time a shovel is put into the ground. Our neighbours to the south, in the town of Bowmanville, just opened their new arena and banquet facility last year. Cost for this project was over $5.5 million. Far more than the original budget, and this did not include a swimming pool, squash courts or fitness facility, etc. And in Uxbridge, a recent estimate to con- struct a second ice pad adjacent to their arena came in at over $3 million. Even a conservative guess on the cost of construction of the Scugog Recreation project, if it could get started within a year, would have to range between $6.5 and $8 million. Simply put, we can't afford that kind of luxury. | commend the members of the steering committee for their efforts over the past four years. I'm sure nobody would disagree that the facility being propo would be a great asset for the community, and as we continue to grow there will be an ever increasing demand for addi- tional and improved recreational facilities. But for my tax dollars, | would rather pay $30 every six weeks for my kids to take swim- ming at Uxpool, just a ten minute drive from Port Perry in Uxbridge. In fact it wouldn't bother me if Scugog Township were to give Uxpool a grant of say, $25,000 per year, so all Scugogites could help pay for the deficit of running that facility. This would be far cheaper for Scugog than build- ing and operating a swimming pool in this com- munity. As for the second pad, squash courts, fit- ness facility and banquet hall, | just don't know what to say. | agree it would be nice to have each of these facilities, and maybe the township should look seriously at constructing a second d and/or a banquet facility. They will be cost- , but there is no doubt we will be needing them as the community continues to grow. Unfortunately, like always, it comes down to dollars and sense! AL CAPONE'S BIRTHDAY Not sure how many people read the article in the Star a couple of week's ago about a thea- tre group who is going to stage a show called "Al Capone's Birthday", but | for one plan to take in the evening. The event takes place at the Islander on Scugog Island, Friday, March 30 and the three course dinner, which includes a musical and dance show costs $29.95 each. The show takes place in the 1920's during prohibition at Al Capone's secret hideaway, and those attending can dress in period costume or just come as they like. Sounds like an Jreat evening. Why not get a group together and reserve a table today. See advertisement in this week's Star for more de- tails, or phone 985-9807 for tickets.