Lower Beverley Lake Association History
Celebrating
its 75th anniversary in 2007, the Lower Beverley Lake
Association is proud of what it has managed to accomplish over the years,
through valiant efforts by mainly summer volunteers.
Founding
of the Association
In
1932, a group of residents concerned about preserving their natural
surrounding established the ‘Beverley
Lake Protective Association’ (BLPA). Mary Mott, Myrtle Broley, Frank Conklin, and Steve Seaman
were the original founders who hoped to influence government
decision-makers regarding such issues as the illegal fishing of pike and
bass and the need for consistent water levels via the construction of a
proper holding dam at Lyndhurst. At
the first meeting, Lloyd Irwin from Delta was appointed Secretary and he
held that position for 38 years.
Minutes
from the founding meeting in 1932 indicate that a number of projects were
considered: cleaning up and deepening the Delta Creek, building a public
wharf, placing a light at the railroad bridge, procuring and placing fish
fry and fingerlings in the lake, investigating the faulty dam at
Lyndhurst, and improving the condition of roads leading to the various
camps.
World
War II and 1950’s
The
Association remained active and held successful annual picnics until the
advent of World War II and rationing put a stop to them. In 1950, the Association was reactivated with annual dues of
50 cents! The motto in those
days was “To
know each fellow camper better and to work together for the advancement of
the interests of Beverley Lake”.
Once again, the Association took up the water level cause.
Maintaining
adequate water levels in the lake required ongoing surveillance. Two mills
operating in Lyndhurst required a steady flow of water and one mill owner
was even caught attempting to dynamite the rock ledge at Lyndhurst to
increase the river flow. On
another occasion, strangers masquerading as Government officials removed
logs from the dam in the spring and the lake hit dangerously low levels
that summer before the ruse was discovered and logs put back in to dam the
lake.
1960’s
Over
the years, the Association continued to pressure the Government of Ontario
for a newly constructed dam at Lyndhurst. It was finally completed in 1960
with much tenacious assistance from the Honourable Jimmie Auld, the
Provincial Member of Parliament, to whom the BLPA bestowed a gift at the
inaugural ceremony of the dam. In 1969, controversy around fluctuating
water levels still persisted, with the Gananoque Power Company clamouring
for more lake water in competition with other interests. The Beverley Lake
Association was an instrumental component of a Government-appointed
management committee set up to resolve the conflict and to oversee water
fluctuations. Still today, if mishandled the operation of the various dams
can produce drought or flooding.
Membership
in the association has grown over the years.
Members used to receive an annual Membership Card, listing all
Officers and the names of those serving on the Social, Sports and
Membership Committees. Meetings were held informally in person’s homes, such as the 1966
picnic and business meeting held at Lloyd Irwin’s
Park Lodge with 70 members and visitors in attendance.
Current
Day
From
approximately two hundred year-round and summer residences in 1960, Lower
Beverley Lake now sports approximately 400 residences with more than a
third of those year-round homes. In
2004, members approved a Constitution and By-Laws, and the ‘Lower
Beverley Lake Association” was incorporated under federal law
as a non-profit organization. The
Association has its own web site, an annual newsletter, liability
insurance, and a new logo. Its mission is
The
issues of concern to the Association today include water levels and water
quality, the development of a long-term lake management plan, the
placement of formal shoal markers for safe boating, the protection of fish
and other natural resources. In
addition to holding its Annual General Meeting, the Association organizes
an annual Lake Clean-up Day, holds an annual picnic, and distributes a
welcome kit for newcomers to the lake. In 2004 and 2006, the LBLA won
prizes for its float in the Delta Fair parade.
LBLA
Presidents
The
Association would never have survived without the dedication of those who
have volunteered their services over the years.
Although it would be impossible to mention all of the many
volunteers who have generously devoted their time and efforts, for
posterity’s
sake here is a list (in order of their term) of those who have served as
President of the LBLA:
