I i s T h e O a k v il l e B e a v e r W ekend A Metroland Publication Vol.37 No. 61 Oakville's Award-Winning Community Newspaper SUNDAY, MAY 23,1999 75 Cents Plus GST | Stay With | Someone You | Know! 590 ARGUS RD. {90S) 849-SOOO 36 Pages Photo by Ron Kuzyk WALKATHON: Appleby College students, parents, alumni, staff and faculty walked 20 km on Thursday to raise money for a number of community organizations including Ian Anderson House, The United Way of Oakville, Halton Women's Place, Camp Trillium and the Red Cross and The Round Square. Last year the effort raised $40,000 but at press time, Appleby was still tallying up the total. The Round Square is an international association of schools committed to furthering international under standing and to educate through service. Appley and other Round Square schools undertake aid projects in countries such as Kenya, India and Central America. ' Low water levels in lake a concern * By Howard M ozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville boaters are being urged to exercise caution this summer, thanks to lower than nor mal water levels in the lake. According to Environment Canada, Ontario has recorded higher than usual temperatures for 17 months straight, with last year being the warmest on record. This year, during the first two weeks of May, the province has seen barely 15% of the amount of rain traditionally received. While all the Great Lakes have shown a decline, Lake Ontario has experienced the biggest drop in water levels due to dry conditions and the slow snow melt which allowed much of the melt water to evaporate or be absorbed into the ground. According to Oakville Harbour Master Rob MacKay, harbour depths will depend entirely on how hot the coming weeks are and how much rain Harbourmaster urges boaters to be cautious we receive. MacKay explained that the drop in water lev els has been dramatic since last year's higher than normal level. (In 1998, the Town was forced to sandbag Bronte Harbour.) This spring, though, Oakville Harbour is two and a half feet below last year's high mark. "I suspect it may be a problem," said MacKay. "Some larger keel boats may have a problem get ting in and out of the harbour." One of the greatest problems, of course, is the risk of keels and propellers catching on rocks, shoals and other obstructions normally covered by sufficient water for safe passage. According to Parks and Recreation Director Bob Perkins, plans are well underway to spend an estimated $1 million to dredge Bronte and Oakville Harbours over the next couple of years. Bronte Harbour will be dredged over the win ter of 1999-2000. A July 1998 report to Council detailed that it may be necessary to debenture part of the dredging cost for both harbours with the debenture to be repaid through harbours revenue. As part of the 1999 approved budget a coastal engineer is working on the dredging specifica tions for work in Bronte Harbour. Once this study is complete, staff plan to bring Council a full financial report detailing a phased schedule for dredging with all funding sources identified. The water level problem is widespread but far from new: back in March the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) reported water lev els in Lake Superior and the St. Lawrence River in Montreal were "considerably below their all time average" for that time of year. In its latest advisory, the CHS said the rapid (See 'Water' page 4) INSIDE t o d a y 's p a p e r Snorts......... ....2 9 Business.___ .30 Classified.... ....31 HmedeHvery: Mali i Co., Hyi Zeis, No Frills, The Bag Partial delivery: Sean, Payless Shoe, The Bay, Little Caesan T.0. Fine Foods Canadian Publications * Mail Product Agreement # 4 3 5 -2 0 1 _______________________ I ' --- ------- ^ Comfort Grip Tools Cushioned grips, hardwood handles, tempered-steel blades. 59- 1015X. 10£91749 Sale price in effect Sat. M ay 22 to Fri. M ay 2 8 ,1 9 9 9 . __________________________________________________________ OCopvnqMOBwr'99___________ UPPER OAKVILLE ^ SHOPPING CENTRE Upper Middle at 8th Line T | ._ Open Sunday i n e io a.m.-5 p.m. o £ « £ o r f y 8 4 9 8 4 7 3 w il l b e o p e n 0AKT0WN V i c t o n a SHOPPING PLAZA D a y 9 - 4 550 Kerr Street Open Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. I# W