Burlington born hockey player wanted to be drafted to the Montreal Canadiens, planned to learn French. He will play for Seattle

By Alan Harrington

July 10th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The NHL Draft was held this past week in Montreal.

The 60th time for this showcase of talent where the NHL Teams get to pick the finest young hockey players from around the world.

Usually the BEST players are from Canada – but this time – a Slovakian was chosen first overall.

2022’s first pick overall was by the Montreal Canadiens for Juraj Slafkovsky – a player from Slovakia .

If that wasn’t enough for Slovakia, the 2nd player chosen – Simon Nemec – is also a player from that nation – chosen by New Jersey..

The third player – Logan Cooley – an American from Pittsburgh was taken by Arizona.

Where are the Canadians?

Shane Wright was an outstanding payer when he was with the Kingston Frontenacs. Seen as the # 1 draft pick in 2022.

Especially since Ontario-born players make up about a fifth of the NHL players?

Well the answer came next as the Seattle Kraken embraced the services of Shane Wright to join their team.

Shane Wright is a Canadian – 18 years old – playing for Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL as a centre.

Shane was drafted by Kingston with “exceptional player status” becoming only the sixth player to be granted exceptional status after the likes of: John Tavares and Connor McDavid, . (And that was mentioned in the Burlington Gazette back on February 8 2021).

In 2020, Shane’s first year – he won the CHL Rookie of the Year award. Sidney Crosby won that award back in 2004 and John Tavares in 2006

So what hometown claims Shane Wright as their own??

Burlington, Ontario – birth home of the first Canadian hockey player selected in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Here is how the sports world told the story:

“You gotta feel for Shane Wright. He was labeled as the top draft prospect in his class when he was granted exceptional status into the OHL as a 15-year-old back in 2019. It was pretty much Shane Wright and Matthew Savoie at the time.

Then Shane Wright took off and put up 66 points in 58 games as an under-ager during his first season with the Kingston Frontenacs to really separate himself as the consensus 1st overall pick. Then the global pandemic happened, then Juraj Slafkovsky had a preposterous draft year by being the leading scorer in the Olympics as a 17-year-old and also had over a point per game at the World Championships for Slovakia. There were rumblings a few weeks before the draft that the race would be tight between Shane Wright and Slafkovsky for the top pick but you figured the Montreal Canadiens would have to take the Canadian kid.

Selected as the 4th draft pick Shane Wright will play for the Seattle Kraken

Then the days leading up to the draft there was a lot of chatter that Slafkovsky could be the pick. And then last night with the 1st overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the host Montreal Canadiens select…

For over a year, Shane Wright was labelled as the #1 pick.

Then when last night came around, not only did he not get taken off the board 1st overall but New Jersey didn’t need another center with the 2nd pick.

Then Arizona decided to stick with their plan and take Logan Cooley with the 3rd pick.

Finally the fourth overall pick came around for Seattle and somehow Shane Wright fell into their lap.

The first time the Seattle Kraken play Montreal will be a game to watch. Shane Wright is said to be very very upset – admits that he has a chip on his shoulder now.

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Parking in the Beachway is something you have to pay for - unless you were able to get a free pass and then find a spot.

By Staff

June 30th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Holiday weekends in Burlington means hundreds of people head for the Beachway – one of the best beaches in the province.

Sunny weather increases the traffic – and the traffic looks for parking spaces.

Prior to the pandemic the situation got out of hand and the city had to come up with a way to control the parking.

There was a point where with no rules in place vehicles, often pick up trucks parked wherever they could find a spot.

The city came up with a set of rules that resulted in paid parking and they found a way to protect people in the Region from having to pay.

One of the best stretches of beach in the province

The Beachway is a Regional park managed by the city.

The Beachway is a play place.

Now you have to pay for parking in the Beachway.

Fees will be charged from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends – until the last weekend in September: Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.

Parking fees can be paid through the HONK mobile app. Users do not have to download the app – they scan the QR code on parking lot signage to pay for parking.

A camera does it all for you.

The hourly rate of $2.50 or a daily flat rate of $20. Users can scan the QR Code or download the HonkMobile app. There is a transaction fee of $0.35 for each payment. Dashboard tickets are not needed as every payment is linked to a license plate number. Parking ambassadors are onsite to assist visitors with this process.

You get ticketed when you do this – some of them got towed.

Illegally parked vehicles will be issued tickets and/or towed. Drivers are reminded not to park illegally, especially on Lakeshore Road shoulders and the grass boulevard over the pipeline as they will be towed.

Parking is free in Downtown Burlington on weekends and holidays. Beachway visitors are encouraged to extend their walk or use the drop-off zone, park for free in the downtown and meet their household members at the beach. For parking downtown, visit burlington.ca/downtownparking.

Visitors are also encouraged to consider taking Burlington Transit, cycling, walking or rolling to the beach and leaving their cars at home.

Premier comes through – cuts the gas tax

Also starting May 21, Halton residents can take advantage of 10 free days of parking per year at Beachway Park. It is recommended that residents wait to fill out the parking exemption form once they’ve arrived at the beach and parked in a legal parking spot. The exemption doesn’t guarantee a spot, but it does give residents free parking for the day.

There is a bit of a bright spot – the Premier lifted some of the gas tax – you’ll save 5.7 cents per litre. If you tank is big enough the savings just might cover the cost of parking.

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A Closer Look at Ontario’s Legal Online Gaming Market Following Launch

By Maria Garcia

June 27th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Since April 4th, 2022, Ontario residents, including those in Burlington, gained legal access to online gambling sites. Now that the market is up and running, we thought we’d check in on what has changed.

Has the ability to place over under bets and wager on the outcome of the roulette wheel changed our attitude toward gambling? Are the legal safeguards in place working to improve the lives of people in Burlington and Ontario in general? These are the questions we aim to answer.

What’s Changed?

Plans to end the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s market monopoly were announced in April, 2019. The legislation was introduced and passed in 2021, and later that year, regulatory standards were drafted.

The main changes were new advertising standards and rules for casinos, as well as the introduction of a new licensing system. For sports betting, it brought forth more choices for sportsbooks and a wider choice of bet types.

iGaming Ontario

iGaming Ontario (IGO) is a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and is in charge of regulations and licences. The government body has already granted licences to several operators, which have met the new regulations.

Online gambling isn’t new to Burlington. However, sites will now require a licence to operate. As they’ve become a part of the system, they’ll need to pay taxes that’ll benefit locals.

Sports Betting

Bettors aged 19 or over now have access to several online sportsbooks. Before the change, sports fans were able to make predictions via the only sportsbook available. Additionally, single-event betting is now possible, whereas before, the focus was on parlays.

Around 20 sportsbooks have been granted licences. It means bettors can choose where to spend their money based on various factors.

Casinos

Offshore casino gambling was already pretty well established in the province. The change in licensing and regulations is giving home-grown establishments the opportunity to penetrate the local market.

The 20% tax rate is a bone of contention with the brick-and-mortar casinos, which are subject to a much higher percentage at 55%. Many argue that the changes will cause a loss of revenue for existing operators.

On the other hand, proponents of iGaming regulations suggest that offshore gaming was already competing with land-based casinos. They maintain that legal online casinos need a lower tax rate to compete with overseas sites.

 

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How Long Does a NASCAR Race Last?

By Maria Garcia

June 27th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Just like the various sports that millions of fans follow, NASCAR races have a particular range of time in which they get completed. Some individuals have opined that the races in NASCAR are quite lengthy, and that the focus of the fans decreases over time. Typically, NASCAR has the longest motorsports race times in its class.

A sport where winning is what it is all about.

A normal NASCAR Race at Road America lasts for 180 minutes. However, it can last longer under certain conditions. Every NASCAR race goes through different stages, with every stage possessing a certain number of points. The length of a race relies on several factors, including the weather and red flags.

Factors that Determine the Length of a NASCAR Race

For NASCAR race fans this is a truly magnificent view

The Racetrack

To a newbie, NASCAR’s signature oval racetracks all look the same. However, each racetrack is unique and defined with specific features that influence the average velocity of the circuit. Steeper racetracks typically encourage higher speeds and quicker lap times.

Race Stages
NASCAR races have different stages, where drivers are rewarded with points after each stage. Every race is split into three stages. Each stage is different depending on the length of the racetrack.

For instance, the Daytona 500 race has a sum of 200 laps. After 60 laps, stage 2 begins and ends after another 60 laps. Stage 3 has a total of 80 laps.

Every racer to finish among the top 10 gets rewarded with points and bonus Playoff points. Essentially, it means that no one can win the Championship until the last race has been finished.

Secondary Factors that Can Affect NASCAR Race Length
One of the secondary factors that can impact the length of a NASCAR race is an accident. When an accident occurs, there’d be wreckage left on the track that can affect other drivers. Solving this issue can take quite a long time.

Race course barriers are critical for public safety and drivers. Getting them in place and keeping them in good repair impacts on race time length.

The barriers can sometimes break down after repeated collisions with the cars. Leaving these fences unattended could possibly endanger both the drivers and the fans.

During the race, the barriers have to be repaired and oftentimes replaced altogether, which could lengthen the time of the race.
Conclusion

Motorsports fans complain that NASCAR races are lengthy but they watch them regardless. Many factors, such as the weather, state of the fence, accidents, racetracks, stages and so on affect the time of NASCAR races.

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The Canadian team you can cheer for in the MLB

By Maria Garcia

June 24th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The MLB is the Major League Baseball, where the best baseball teams from North America compete to become this season’s best team.

As of 2022, a total of 30 teams play the league—15 teams in the National League and 15 in the American League —with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. The Canadian team that is participating is the Toronto Blue Jays, which is the one that most people here in the north are rooting for.

Betting on the MLB

To make any MBL match more exciting, you can try to bet on them. This is where you try to guess what will happen during the matches, for example, who will win. Before you can bet, you need to find a good betting site to do it on. This should be a site that offers to bet on the sports you like, and where you can find Mlb odds to wager on. You should also make sure that you are up to date on all the baseball rules, and on the different teams that are participating so that you can make educated guesses.

The Blue Jays
Most Canadians will probably want to bet on the Toronto Blue Jays. The team is a member club of the American League East division, and usually plays its home games at Rogers Center. However, the TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida has also been used for their matches. The name Blue Jays holds a special story and originates from the bird with the same name. It is also the traditional color of Toronto’s collegiate and professional sports teams in the country, of course including the famous Maple leaf. If you wish to bet on the Blue Jays, you should have a look at some Mlb lines to prepare.

Blue Jay fans have a history of waiting a long time to see their favorite baseball team play, but now they are finally able to see them play again. The Blue Jays are ranked as number 6 in the power rankings as of June 14. In other words, they are doing well, and as Canadians, we are thrilled to see the journey team represented in the MLB excell. It is also a great opportunity to bet on sports. Online sports betting is legal in Canada, so it might be time to find a good site to bet on.

 

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Burlington Native returns and leaves $32 million with McMaster - takes part in Central High School graduation ceremony

By Pepper Parr

June 16th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

We can tell you this now – a few hours ago we were communicating via email with Ron Foxcroft and arranging to meet with him at the inaugural flight of Lynx Air that is setting up a Hamilton to Halifax flight schedule.

Foxcroft couldn’t talk for very long. He said:

Marnix Heersink with his wife Mary

“In 5 minutes I am leaving to tribute Burlington Central High School Graduate Marnix Heersink”, who Foxcroft said was the “the best basketball player at Burlington Central and Western University.”

“Today he is an Eye Surgeon in Alabama.

“He just donated $95MILLION to UAB Birmingham Alabama and $32MILLLION to McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences.

“I am the surprise guest speaker now, and a BIG SURPRISE. I am bring his 92 year old High School Basketball Coach Ward Russell to the celebration. Ward’s wife Shirley sang in my mom’s church choir. My mom was the organist.

“Marnix grew up in Burlington, and had a Spec Paper Route and earned $5.00 per week.

“I had a Toronto Telegram Paper Route and earned $1.90 per week.”

Is this the day that every Central High School student gets a Fox40 whistle – and every student blows that whistle at the same time?

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Free summer fitness program targets teens craving confidence and connection

By Staff

June 8th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Teen Fitness program returns for 12th summer, registration underway

GoodLife, a multi-national commercial fitness organization is offering its free Teen Fitness program across Canada this summer – the first time since 2019 the program has taken place in clubs. GoodLife started the Teen Fitness program in 2010, and this year the program is especially important to help teens address the mental and physical damage caused by the pandemic.

Statistics Canada confirms youth in Canada are reporting lower levels of physical activity since before the pandemic, with the percentage of youth meeting the Canadian physical activity recommendation dropping from 51% in the fall of 2018 to 37% in the fall of 2020. In addition, the Canadian Mental Health Association reports roughly 1 in 5 children or youth are struggling with mental health challenges that stem from pandemic conditions.

“Teen Fitness participants tell us having access to the gym helps them establish a routine, build confidence and connect with friends. These benefits can help youth take better care of their health – not just the physical, but also the mental health erosion many experienced as a result of isolation, hours of unstructured sedentary time and nearly constant stress throughout the pandemic,” said Jason Sheridan, COO, GoodLife Fitness.

Creating a routine
For many teens, the absence of a structured routine during the summer months can contribute to lack of direction, negative behaviours and boredom. Studies find a more stable routine can help reduce stress, increase focus and boost mood. Teen Fitness participants agree that going to the gym adds some much-needed structure to help them feel more in control of their lives.

Teen Fitness is available to anyone between the ages of 12 and 17 and includes access to 200+ GoodLife Fitness Clubs across Canada, all completely free of charge. A parent or legal guardian must register a teen for the program, but they do not need to be an existing GoodLife Member to register.

Registrations for Teen Fitness are open now at www.teenfitness.ca. Participants have free access to the Clubs from July 4, 2022 to September 6, 2022.

 

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Connor Fraser: travelling around Burlington on a bicycle is inconvenient and borderline dangerous.

By Connor Fraser

June 8th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A significant portion of my life has been spent cycling around Burlington. During high school, my commute often took me along Plains Road. On weekends, my friends and I would find our way to Spencer Smith Park and the beach. From a young person’s perspective, safe cycling options go a long way towards cementing a lifelong commitment to healthy behaviour.

Lanes dedicated to cycling – some want to see barriers in place to protect cyclists.

If my experience has taught me one thing, it’s that travelling around Burlington on a bicycle is inconvenient and borderline dangerous. Bike lanes along major streets such as Plains Road are intermittent and full of potholes. Connecting lanes between neighbourhoods – such as the Lakeshore Road QEW underpass – are non-existent. Under such conditions, cyclists are forced to dismount and walk long distances, or take their chances in live traffic.

Thankfully, a number of large-scale cycling projects are about to break ground in Burlington. In 2022, Plains Road between Waterdown Road and Spring Gardens Road will be resurfaced and buttoned up with protected cycling facilities. In 2025, Prospect Street and the remainder of Plains Road are scheduled for installations.

While these projects are likely to cause short-term disruptions to residents’ lifestyles, they should be welcomed with enthusiasm and open-mindedness. Aligning near-perfectly with the city’s strategic goals, cycling is both an environmentally sustainable method of transportation, and one that promotes long-term physical and mental health. As much as bike lanes are a short-term investment to enable diverse forms of mobility, they are also a long-term investment in environmental health and preventative healthcare. People who are empowered to cycle more often due to the presence of a convenient cycling network are more likely to remain healthy and happy throughout their lives.

City photo op to promote cycling to work. Several very senior people in this picture even owned a bike.

Unfortunately, Burlington’s recent past has been marred with hostility towards the concept of bike lanes. The New Street Bike Lane Pilot was removed in 2018 following the recommendations of a report entitled “New Street pilot project review and resurfacing.” While the report noted a common perception among residents that traffic along New Street became more congested during the pilot, the authors admitted that cause and effect was difficult to determine. For example, average westbound travel times between Walkers Line and Guelph Line increased by just 1.5 minutes during peak evening hours, while negligible travel time increases were noted for eastbound travel during peak hours. Moreover, when taking an average of datapoints over the entire day, impacts to travel times were minimal in both directions (+16 seconds westbound, +1 second eastbound). The report also found inconclusive evidence of traffic diversion onto adjacent roadways. Nevertheless, the New Street pilot was removed by council, setting back Burlington’s progress towards integrated mobility by several years.

Fast forward to the present, and conditions have changed such that all residents should be able to embrace, and also benefit from, upcoming cycling installations. Notably, the pandemic has enabled more people to work from home and avoid rush-hour traffic that some claim is aggravated by bike lanes.

Despite my above enthusiasm, progress towards building out the municipal cycling network is slow and suffers from critical underfunding. The New Street pilot project review and resurfacing report recommended (as a consolation) installing separated cycle tracks “for consideration in the 2019 to 2028 capital budget.” My sources at city hall informed me this project has been pushed until 2031 – a delay of at least 3 years. According to the 2022 Budget, several other projects that were listed as “high priority” by the 2021 Cycling Plan and initially targeted for completion by 2025 – have subsequently been pushed back. The Active Transportation Crossing of the QEW and Walker’s Line resurfacing will be delayed by 5-6 years and 2-3 years respectively beyond original timelines, documents suggest. We’ll see if anything changes once the Integrated Mobility Plan is released.

Is Burlington under equipped to make investments in public infrastructure and in particular cycling infrastructure? The media release page for the 2022 budget proudly displays how our municipal tax rate is significantly lower than other GTA municipalities (over 12.5% lower than the average municipality). If the consequence is that important projects must experience significant delays, it’s not a statistic to be proud of. We must be willing to pay for infrastructure upgrades, especially those that enhance quality of life to the extent that bike lanes will. Not only could there be noticeable upsides for property values (transit oriented communities are actually desirable for young people and young families), but the long term returns to personal, public and environmental health would be material and far outweigh any initial investment. One might argue that the above-cited delays are pandemic-related. However, our neighbours such as the City of Toronto used the pandemic as a catalyst for major expansions of their cycling networks.

The point is this. From my limited understanding, life is about compromise. That’s precisely what is happening here and why I hope to see uniform support behind city council and city staff. On one hand, Burlington is getting new cycling infrastructure. On the other hand, the projects have been delayed and will likely be completed incrementally over the next decade – keeping impacts on daily routines to an absolute minimum and allowing long periods for adjustment. Compromise.

I sincerely hope that most are enthusiastic about the upcoming cycling projects and are ready to eventually consider embracing cycling as a legitimate alternative to the automobile when it comes to getting around town!

Connor was born in Hamilton in 1997, is a long-time resident of Aldershot. He has volunteered for several local organizations and advocated to municipal leaders on building transit oriented, walkable communities.

 In 2020, Connor completed undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, with a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science and a major in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

  Connor has returned to U of T to enrol in the dual Master of Global Affairs and Master of Business Administration program.

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Moon in June Road Race road closures, June 4

By Staff

June 2nd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Moon in June Road Race is happening at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. These races require road and lane closures in Burlington.

Streets will reopen as soon as possible following the end of the race. Vehicles parked illegally in the area will be tagged or towed to allow emergency access.

Road Closures
3 to 11:30 p.m. – James Street between John Street and Brant Street
5 to 11:30 p.m. – Brant Street between Ontario and Elgin Street
6 to 11 p.m. – Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road
7:15 to 9:30 p.m. – Lakeshore Road (east bound) between John Street and Brock Street; Brock Avenue between Lakeshore Road and Elgin Street; Elgin Street between Brock Street and Maple Avenue

Exit Points
• Baldwin Street/Victoria Avenue at Brant Street
• Maple Avenue at Ontario Street

Traffic Lane Closures
• Southbound Brant Street between Baldwin and Caroline Street
• All other streets on the race route will have one lane open for local access

Resident Access
Emergency Services access will be maintained at all times along the event route.
Traffic Supervision

Police will direct traffic at major intersections and event marshals will help runners and motorists at multi-residential driveways and on side streets. Race notices were delivered to all residences, religious centres and businesses affected by the races.

Every June for 29 years – this the 30th year the are back at it. The Moon in June race

For 30 years the MiJ has supported local charities. We are one of the longest standing, truly charitable running events in Halton, over our tenure we have donated over ONE MILLION DOLLARS to local charities. We are so pleased to be back for our 3rd 30th anniversary event… We are very excited with the adaptations we have made for this years Moon in June. Our commitment, as a fully charitable event is to help Radius in their time of need and assist with their vastly increased need for services.

The Moon in June course is a flat fast one loop certified 5k and 2 loop certified 10km of down town Burlington. The route highlights the fabulous Burlington Waterfront and downtown core.

Help the Moon in June and Radius Child and Youth Services build futures free abuse.

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City plans to give away 25 bike racks - they will have to pick them up and build a concrete pad

By Staff

May 30th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Bike Month, is being celebrated in Burlington through to the end of June.

The city sees this as an  opportunity for people to try riding a bike for the first time, learn new skills, or simply have fun and connect with new people.

Special lanes for bicycles and the speed at which vehicles travel along city roads are an ongoing concern .

Riding a bike is one of the best ways to get around and explore your community. Fifty per cent of trips in Burlington can be done in a less-than 20-minute bike ride.

Burlington is once again holding a draw to give away bike racks for businesses and organizations to encourage cycling to their locations and offering a series of cycling webinars to celebrate Bike Month in Burlington.

Bike Rack Giveaway

The City, in cooperation with the Burlington Cycling Committee and the Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee, has 25 bike racks to give away this year. Each rack holds about 10 bicycles and is valued at $700. Interested parties are asked to email Dan.Ozimkovic@burlington.ca with contact information by June 15, 2022.

Bike rack that will be given to 25 locations

Selected organizations will be required to pick up and transport their bike rack to their private property and install the bike rack on a concrete pad for public use.

The City has been providing various organizations in the community, such as places of worship, small businesses and schools, with free bike racks for the past eight years.

 

 

 

Free Cycling Webinars

Residents are invited to learn about cycling with kids, bike maintenance, road rules and other cycling topics with the City’s free webinars.

Basic maintenance is important

Family Biking
June 2, 7 to 8 p.m. Webinar informationZoom link
June 20, 7 to 8 p.m. Webinar informationZoom link

 

Knowing the rules of the road

Basic Bike Maintenance
June 13, 7 to 8 p.m. Webinar informationZoom link
June 26, noon to 1 p.m. Webinar informationZoom link

 

 

 

 

 

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Why gaming can actually be good for you: make new friends and develop strategic skills or just blow off some steam

By Chrysty Miles

May 28th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Compete or play just for the fun of it.

Given the array of gaming options available in the modern world, more and more people are discovering the benefits of gaming. Be it through an Amazon Fire Stick, a mobile gaming product, or a hugely powerful PlayStation 5 console machine, gaming is the preferred entertainment option for many of us.

Of course, like most recreational activities, gaming should be enjoyed in moderation and striking a balance is key, but once you get there, there are some proven ways in which enjoying an array of games can actually be good for you. Whether you’re playing first-person shooter classics like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare or simple puzzle games, there is a variety of proven benefits.

Gaming is a broad church these days. Some people like to play live casino games, whereas others go for big-budget console and PC games. Gaming could be playing something like Wordle in the New York Times every day. But whatever it is you do, it is the activity that counts. Not all of it is beneficial, of course. As they say – everything in moderation.

For instance, certain games are said to improve a range of cognitive skills, as well as helping with social skills. Throw in the fun and entertainment that can be had through a variety of gaming products, and it’s easy to see why the world’s population is filled with so many gamers.

In the past, we have tended to hear that gaming can be potentially harmful, perhaps leading to violence or even growth in certain street crimes, but this appears not to be true in general. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, there is strong evidence to suggest that gaming can actually be good for you. For instance, the research shows that gaming can benefit an individual both socially and health-wise while also providing learning along the way. Alongside this, there are some other additional reasons why gaming can be beneficial to a person. Let’s take a look at some more of them below.

Gamers can make friends around the world

Given gaming’s global appeal and the modern-day communication tools gamers can access while enjoying a gaming session, more and more people are connecting through a variety of titles. In the past, these types of opportunities were not available to gamers, but with the emergence of online gaming and an array of additional accessories, gaming is more sociable than it ever has been.

Gamers face a truly challenging set of obstacles to overcome, which, in turn, can improve coordination and strategic thinking. .

From Britain to Burlington, gamers are enjoying an array of products and teaming up with fellow players. As a result of shared Fortnite sessions and Pokemon Go trading marathons, gamers are making friends with other gamers around the world.

Gaming can improve your strategic skills

For people who perhaps aren’t too clued up on gaming and what exactly specific titles entail, playing games can seem like plenty of running around for no real reason. In truth, it’s the total opposite, especially when assessing some specific products that require a great deal of strategic thinking. Fact is, many games require skill, coordination and strategic play to succeed. It could even be argued that some levels on certain titles are essentially real-time board games in more detail, therefore giving gamers a truly challenging set of obstacles to overcome, which, in turn, can improve a variety of things, such as coordination and strategic planning.

Gaming can help people blow off some stream

Most importantly of all, gaming is fun and entertaining. A benefit of such pleasure and entertainment is an improved all-around mood and a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day at work. As stated already, specific titles require planning and can be tricky, but overall, gaming is a fantastic option for people who want to socialise with friends, have some fun, switch off from life’s trials and tribulations, and generally just blow off some steam.

Other entertainment options can offer a similar experience too, but gaming is the favoured choice for many people these days.

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Benefits of online betting - casino bonuses

By Dennis  Savoy

March 24th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Betting has existed since ancient times and there are more and more users every day.

It is a hobby of many people who like to taste their happiness and hope to win.

Over the years, the list of things to bet on has been expanding. Most often it is in a sport, but there are also events outside the sport, such as the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest and similar.

The Eurovision Song Contest is an event that has millions wagering on the outcome – online

With the development of betting and the expansion of betting offers, it is to be expected that the betting industry will not stop there and will work on it on a daily basis. With this hard work we got online betting. What is online betting?

Online betting is one of the novelties in the world of betting and it greatly facilitates our daily betting. Online betting can be accessed from many device that supports internet connection.

Many bookmakers have online betting on offer and their offer is large. There we have many games in which we can participate to bet and hope to win. They are working on the development and improvement of these games every day, and over the years of online betting, much progress has been made in design, graphics of games that look much more realistic today than before and troubleshooting bugs that are decreasing day by day.

In addition to the efforts invested in the development of online betting, we are also working on increasing the number of users and promotion. Today we can often see many advertisements on the internet that promote online betting and its benefits but this is not the only way to promote.

Online casino bonuses are today an everyday part of online betting where the user receives certain bonuses in the form of free money or spins that they will use in betting and potentially make a certain profit. Casino bonuses are a great form of promotion on the marketing side because they attract new and reward old loyal customers. Casino bonuses of course vary from bookmaker to bookmaker and we need to be careful here.

It is necessary to check all the conditions well before we agree to certain bonuses in order to avoid possible problems. For the best casino bonus there are many sites on the internet but don’t miss the only online casino bonus guide you need.

When we find the best betting offer it is usually necessary to sign up and add a bank account for winnings. After that we can leave the benefits of online betting and hope for winnings.

Benefits of online betting

    1. Accessibility
    2. Large selection of bookmakers and games
    3. Facilitated the process of payment and withdrawal of money
    4. Online bonuses

Online betting is growing very fast and there are more and more bookmakers offering it. As with everything on the internet, we should be careful and research each option well before betting, but after everything is over, an exciting adventure awaits us for sure.

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Backyard pools make a splash with Ontario property owners

By Staff

May 24th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

More than 9,000 swimming pool permits issued in 2021 – up 33%

Swimming pools were obviously popular through 2021 according to MPAC’s analysis of Ontario home building permits.

High end of the market – expense doesn’t see to matter in many of the markets.

The counted 9,059 swimming pool permits issued in 2021, an increase of 33% over the previous year. This continues a trend that saw a 53% increase from 2019 to 2020.

“The pandemic likely continued to put a focus on the home,” says Carmelo Lipsi, Municipal Property Assesment Corporation (MPAC) Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. “Whether it’s because people were staying close to home due to restrictions, or were uncertain about future travel, many property owners invested in a pool as part of creating a backyard oasis to enjoy with family or friends.”

The economy version – they work.

The City of Ottawa was Ontario’s swimming pool capital for the second straight year, with 1,372 pool permits in 2021, a 47% jump. The City of Hamilton was next with 566 permits, followed by the Town of Oakville (315) and the City of Burlington (293).

Top 10 Municipalities: Swimming Pool Building Permits 2021

 

 

City of Ottawa 1,372
City of Hamilton 566
Town of Oakville 315
City of Burlington 293
City of London 286
Town of Milton 196
City of Windsor 189
City of Kitchener 178
City of Cambridge 153
Town of Lakeshore 150

Percentage-wise, the City of Clarence-Rockland was the leader, with a 175% increase (88 permits, compared to 32 in 2020). The Town of Oakville was next with a 160% increase, followed by the Township of Tiny (136%) and the Township of Middlesex Centre (130%)

Add a wooden deck and you are about as Canadian as you can get.

Top 10 Municipalities: Swimming Pool Building Permits 2021 by Percentage Increase from 2020

City of Clarence-Rockland 175%
Town of Oakville 160%
Township of Tiny 136%
Township of Middlesex Centre 130%
Town of Amherstburg 119%
City of St. Thomas 114%
Town of Pelham 107%
Town of Fort Erie 100%
Township of Centre Wellington 93%
Township of Beckwith 90%

That is a lot of water – what will the impact on climate change be?

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While soccer is the most popular sport in the world - other sports have huge followings - they all develop life skills such as teamwork.

By Barclay Gilmore

May 20th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

In spite of the diverse metrics applied to determine the popularity of various kinds of sports, it is extremely hard to determine which one is the most ubiquitous. The impact of these metrics is immense on the lives of onlookers and players.

All sports are fun and educational, playing sports may also help children develop life skills such as teamwork

Sports are often thought of as a type of social interaction and a way to connect with people. Aside from being fun and educational, playing sports may also help children develop life skills such as teamwork. Here are the 1most ubiquitous sports globally.

  1. Football

The most-watched sport over the globe is football, the North Americans call it soccer,  with nearly 3.5 billion followers. Although football is a global sport, it’s most prevalent in regions such as Asia, Europe, and South America as well as in diverse countries, with over half of the populace watching the World Cup every single year. There are also many online sports games with casino promotions.

  1. Cricket

More than 2.5 billion humans all over the world pursue the sport of cricket. The game is widely loved in various countries, such as England, Australia, and India.

The basic rules of cricket involve a bowler running up to the batting team member and taking a run-up to catch the ball.

  1. Basketball

Although soccer and basketball are comparatively new sports, both of them have tremendous followers, with a number of 2.4 Billion Followers. Basketball has been around for a very long time, however, relatively new status, and it’s very prevalent in various countries such as the US and Canada. It is on its way to getting ahead of football and baseball as the most widespread sport in America.

  1. Hockey

Hockey is a North American game with some of the best players coming out of Russia.

In the US and Canada, ice hockey and field hockey are the most widespread kinds of games, in addition, in other countries, like Pakistan and India, both types of games are also generally played. Unlike other sports, hockey has loyal followers with the amount of 2 billion followers and a high-quality streaming audience.

  1. Tennis

As per a list by Top-End Sports, tennis is the most widespread sport globally, with 1 billion followers. It is played by around sixty million human beings worldwide. Aside from playing against one another, doubles are also commonly practiced.

  1. Badminton

Although it’s widely acknowledged that badminton is a widespread sport over the globe with 950 million followers, it is also very popular in Asia. Because of its fame, it’s produced, several well-known athletes.

  1. Volleyball

In spite of being considered a distinct sport, volleyball is still very popular in many countries over the globe, with 900 million followers.

Although it is less ubiquitous than other sports, it is still considered an Olympic sport.

  1. Table Tennis

Although table tennis is widely regarded as a popular sport with nearly 875 million followers, it doesn’t have many pro chances for aspiring players. As per the popularity of the game, it’s usually only performed in certain regions, such as Indonesia and China.

  1. Baseball is another North American game played in Japan where it is very popular.

    Baseball

Despite baseball being considered one of the most ubiquitous sports in the US with more than 500 million followers, it is still considered the country’s national pastime.  Baseball has even overtaken football as the most-watched sport in America.

  1. Rugby

Owing to the popularity of football and soccer, various other kinds of games have arisen as well. One of these is rugby, which is extremely prevalent in tightly populated regions. In addition, with almost 475 million followers, it’s followed globally but mostly in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

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Resident feedback wanted on Robert Bateman High School proposals

By Staff

May 18th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The City of Burlington is looking for residents’ feedback on a proposed land transaction with the Halton District School Board (HDSB) and leasing arrangements with the HDSB and Brock University for the City’s planned acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School building and property.

The proposed transaction with the HDSB would see the City transfer ownership of approximately five acres of City owned-land (sports field at Central High School) to the HDSB as a component of a land exchange for the Robert Bateman site.

The sports field beside Central High school is owned by the city. Selling it to the school board frees up some cash that can be applied to the purchase of the Bateman location. It is a complex deal with a number of players that may not have had the benefit of some some take our time second thought. Some are wondering – why the rush? One pressure point is that Brock wants to be in the space they are renting – when? Tight timeline.

The City owned-land in question is located near Burlington Central High School and includes the high school football field and running track.

The HDSB has wanted to own the sports field beside Burlington Central High School for some time; that desire is consistent with the HDSB’s long-term intention to continue operating Burlington Central High School as a school. This land exchange component will advance the City’s efforts to secure the Robert Bateman site in continued public ownership, ensuring that the Robert Bateman site is available for continued educational and community-oriented uses.

Feedback will also be sought on proposed leasing agreements with the HDSB that wants to use some of the space and Brock University that wants to locate one of its departments in Burlington.

Both leases are expected to be long-term but not to exceed 25 years.

Burlington City Council directed staff to gather feedback from the public on these proposals. Public feedback can be provided at the City’s online engagement portal, Get Involved Burlington.  The time frame for getting sufficient public feedback is short.

The site is a big one; the plans to re-purpose the location from a local high school to a multi-use site that would pull together local residents, a unit of Brock University, a public library and a number of gymnasiums with lots of space left over.

A considerable amount of controversy is expected from the downtown community where there isn’t all that much open space to begin with. The 100th anniversary event was planned to take place on the sports field in June of 2023.  Will that space still be available to the public once it is in school board hands?

Any thought of a community centre with a pool in that part of town would be lost.  With three towers planned for Ghent and Brant, a short walk from the sports field, residents wonder if they are going to be locked out of creating more in the way of public amenities.

Click for the Link to Get Involve

This engagement opportunity will be open to Burlington residents until June 13, 2022.

Following public input, staff will report back to Burlington Council with a final report and recommendations at the June 21, 2022 Council meeting.

Some background:

In June 2021, HDSB announced that it has declared Robert Bateman High School surplus to its needs.

In December 2021, Council provided direction to staff to submit a formal offer to purchase the Robert Bateman High School site

On Feb. 3, 2022, Burlington City Council endorsed next steps to advance the potential acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School site from the HDSB.

Shortly after, also in June 2021, the City of Burlington announced that an expression of interest would be submitted to the HDSB to purchase the Robert Bateman site through a partnership with Brock University.

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Public school board to purchase the city owned sports field next to Central High School - that is part of a bigger story

By Staff

May 18th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Halton District School Board put out the following media release.

The Halton District School Board is advancing a land transaction with the City of Burlington that would see the exchange of the City-owned sports field at Burlington Central High School (1433 Baldwin St, Burlington), with the sale of the former Robert Bateman High School (5151 New St, Burlington).

The school will own the sports field once the negotiations are complete

The parcel of land adjacent to Burlington Central High School is approximately five acres and includes the sports field and track to the west of the school. The Board’s purchase of this land ensures the continued operation of Burlington Central High School by the HDSB for the foreseeable future.

In June 2021, HDSB trustees approved a plan to declare the former Robert Bateman High School facility surplus to its needs and retain an interest in a portion of the facility to relocate the Burlington Gary Allan Learning Centre. In September 2021, the City of Burlington expressed interest and submitted their formal offer on Feb. 3, 2022, which was accepted by the Board.

This opportunity to acquire the area at Burlington Central H.S. presented itself to the Board and the City as part of the negotiation process, where the land exchange was incorporated as part of the final offer. This was supported by the Board, as it advances its long-term facility accommodation strategy in Burlington. The Board sought Ministry of Education approval and received a positive response to proceed with the transaction.

The outcome of this transaction addresses key objectives for the HDSB and the City by ensuring  important educational and community programs continue to be offered within Burlington.

The Board looks forward to continuing to work with the City of Burlington on this matter.

The acquisition of the sports field is related to the Robert Bateman High School land transaction.

The bigger story is that the city had to find a way to lessen the public pressure on a price tag that was being floated and resulting in a lot of indigestion.  Whatever the city gets for the sports field will lower the cost of the Bateman site.

The city is gearing up another engagement effort to get some grease on a very squeaky wheel.

 

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How fast do you get your winnings at the online casino

By J. W Pitt

May 18th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Casino players consider many factors when choosing a casino. They look at the variety of games, software providers, security, bonuses, and more. But many of these factors will not make a difference if you cannot process your winnings in the fastest time.

Time is of the essence when you visit an online casino. Players want a casino that can process deposits and more importantly, withdrawals quickly. Thus, it is no secret that they will swamp fast payout casino.

Thus, what factors affect casino withdrawal speed? What should a player look out for?

This article will share what factors you should watch out for.

Amount Cashed Out
The amount of money you want to withdraw is a determinant of how fast it will be processed. Several payment methods have daily, weekly and monthly limits. This means if you won big at a jackpot, you may need to wait a couple of days for your winnings. The withdrawals are divided up into portions to meet the withdrawal limits of the particular casino and payment method.

But if your winning amounts are small and within the daily limits, you can receive the same-day payout.

Country of Residence
Different countries have specific restrictions on casino withdrawals. In the US, for example, the UIGEA of 2006 has placed restrictions between banks and casinos.

Additionally, if you want to use instant payment options such as PayPal, Skrill or Neteller are not accepted for online casino deposits and withdrawals.

This is not the case in every country outside the US. You will need to pay attention to whether there are any casino transaction restrictions where you reside. For example, Canadian online casinos have very similar rules to those in the USA.

Account Authentication
If you are new to a casino and make some winnings, the casino will have to verify your account before processing any payment. While this may be a once-off process, it may take considerable time.

After submitting all the requirements, the verification team takes some time to process your authentication. It could take a couple of days to weeks depending on the casino.

Since it can be quite a long process, make sure you do not make any mistakes. Mistakes in your documentation will make it even longer and increase your withdrawal wait.

Payment Method
Not all payment methods are created the same. They may have similar characteristics but when it comes to withdrawal processing speed, they can be different. There are several payment methods to choose from in the casino world including debit/credit cards, e-wallets, wire transfers, bank checks, and cryptocurrencies.

For the fastest payout casinos, e-wallets are your best bet.

If you are looking for the fastest payout casinos, e-wallets are your best bet. You will wait for anything from a couple of minutes to 24hours.

What makes them even better is you have a couple of options to choose from such as PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, and EcoPayz.

Cryptocurrencies are another fast method although they are not widely available at many casinos. But they are slowly making headway. If you want an instant payout casino, cryptocurrencies deliver with several options. The options include Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Ripple.

Debit/credit cards are relatively fast but not as fast as e-wallets. You can expect withdrawals within 24-48 hours. Plus, you can choose from many options such as Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro.

Wire transfer is the old school method of transfer. It has remained relevant because of its higher withdrawal limits and direct to bank account transfers. One of its drawbacks is it is costly and will take a while to make your transfer. Withdrawals can take up to 7 working days.

Checks are still an option and one of the slowest for withdrawals. You will wait up to two weeks or more.

The payment method you choose will be a large determinant of how fast you can process your withdrawal.

Bonus vs Pure Deposit Withdrawal
Playing with bonuses at some casinos comes with terms and conditions. At casinos where they have to manually crosscheck whether you meet the wagering requirements will take more time to process your withdrawal.

It is better to play with pure deposits since they have fewer terms that will check out easily.

Conclusion
While playing at a casino, it is important to consider withdrawal speeds. If you win and want to withdraw, it may determine whether you review a casino well or poorly.

To determine withdrawal speed, you need to pay attention to a couple of factors. These include bonus vs pure deposit withdrawals, payment method used, country of residence, account verification, and the amount being cashed out.

Additionally, you can use customer reviews as an indicator of which casinos do a great job at processing withdrawals. They will give you a great idea of withdrawal speeds at most casinos.

Do not forget to enjoy your casino experience responsibly.

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Sports Field Closures for May 16

By Staff

May 16th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The following sports fields are closed today (May 16) due to wet and unplayable conditions:

  • Nelson D1 – Casey Cosgrove
  • Millcroft – D1, D2 and D3
  • Ireland – D1, D2, D3 and D4
  • Maple D1 and D2
  • Central D1 and D2

All other fields are open.

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Jim Thompson ask some pretty direct questions: How did the LPMA manage to spend a reported $97,000 on legal costs.

By Pepper Parr

May 8th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Today is the kind of day the boaters would have been out washing down the decks of their boats and preparing for the launch.  Will there be a launch this year – not something anyone can be really certain about.

The LaSalle Park Marina with a rendering of the wave break in place.

Jim Thomson delegated before a Standing Committee and gave Councillors some background on the problems with insurance coverage for the LaSalle Park Marina.

Jim Thomson – asks a lot of questions

Thomson is not a boater, he is not a member of any of the associated clubs.

His only involvement with the marina was a complaint he made back in 2016 when he had a complaint about smells coming from the docks which in those days were hauled out of the water every year.  The shellfish had accumulated – he called the city – got nothing and decided to call the health department – guess what – the city responded.

Jim was just as  direct with Council. Thomson knew that the law suit that was impacting the renewal of an insurance policy was something the city knew about the day the claim was made – the city was originally a party to the claim.

Somehow the city got themselves removed from the claim but that doesn’t detract from the fact that they knew..

Slip and falls tend to be in the $10,000 to $40,000 range – how do you spend $97,000 on legal fees and still not have a settlement?

Thomson believes that the claim – a slip and fall event, has eaten up $97,000 in legal fees.

The only people who know who filed the claim is the LPMA Board and of course city hall.

Thomson said that slip and fall claims tend to be between $10,000 and $40,000 with few being at the high end.

The slip and fall claim was served early in 2019 – the most recent operating agreement with the city was signed later in the year.

Thomson wonders was the matter of the insurance was not brought up at that time – where is the proper due diligence Thomson asks.

If the city was able to get itself off the claim that would suggest the accident took place on one of the links between the rows of boat slips.

Is this a pace city hall can work at?

A lot of questions – not many answers at this point.

City manager Tim Commisso – commenting during the Marina delegations.

Thomson has an interview being set up with City Manager Tim Commisso – no date yet.  It will be a telephone interview; tough to present an argument that way.

Thomson had an issue with an item being on the agenda with no report that people could read before taking part in the meeting.  Burlington is at a point in its pandemic evolution where people can delegate in person.  Thomson was very much in person.

He told Council it needed to “act instantly or boaters will lose their season.

He told Council that “Staff doesn’t know what’s to be done” and that “Staff has no idea of the problems”.

Thomson also said:  It’s hard to delegate on a report that arrives late on the agenda adding that “a verbal update” doesn’t leave any room for community comment at the committee stage.

Where, Thomson wanted to know is where was ” the transparency we’ve all been hearing so much

Thomson filled in some of the information holes:

LPMA Claims history has caused current insurer to cancel.

Rick Craven, a former ward 1 Councillor identified two outstanding claims as slip-and-fall lawsuits.

Are there other claims that have been settled? Has the City reviewed the claims history?

Is this where the slip and fall took place?

Are the docks un-safe?

Do they need modification to reduce slips/falls?

Thomson quoting the the Burlington Boating and Sailing Club Commodore Scott Lowell: “It is now imperative that the City of Burlington assume direct management of what in the end is their marina (they own the wave- break and the docks) and move quickly to open the marina,”

Thomson doesn’t buy the imperative argument. “There is significant cost to the city running the marina; Not something the City should be rushing into

He added that the the City is in possession of a report on running the marina that would result in an  operating loss of $196,750 for the year 2022

The data in the 2019 report assumed the city would already have been operating the marina for two years. It also assumed that the city would have about 9 month to plan the take-over.

Thomson left City Council with these thoughts”

Is all the data, background information and history coming together to form a perfect storm?

The lease on LaSalle Park is up at the end of the year.

What happens next year?

The City needs a Master Plan for LaSalle

If the City wants a Marina do it right

Council and staff need to stop improvising

A lot more to come on this file.

Stay tuned.

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Are the politicians muddying the Marina insurance problem?

By Pepper Parr

May 7th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Social media is one of the communication channels that gets a bad wrap.

The politicians will complain loud and publicly that social media is misused and abused and then do just that – exploit what can be done with Twitter and a Facebook account.

These boats will stay where they are until the 17th – while the city scrambles to find a way to put insurance coverage in place.

Former American president Donald Trump was an artist with the way he manipulated messages and created a following of millions until he was banned from Twitter.

Last week the city was presented with a really messy situation at the LaSalle Park Marina. Boats could not be put into the water because required insurance could not be put in place.

Burlington’s Mayor is heavily invested in the marina issue. She chose to support the installation of a needed wave break and convinced the rest of council to go along with pulling $4 million out of the Hydro Reserve Fund to pay for the wave break.

The insurance problem was something someone should have been on top of – but that is spilled milk

The boaters need a fast response which may not be something the city bureaucracy can deliver – municipal government just doesn’t work that way.

Mayor Meed Ward put out a note on social media saying:

 

 

Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith needs all the help he can get in his re-election bid. The Mayor will support him – returning the favours he has done for her.

That Tweet didn’t quite square with the recommendation that was debated at Council.  Someone at city hall has put out a more moderate message.

A more moderate message was posted about an hour later.

What the public doesn’t need is politicians exploiting a serious problem.

Director of Parks Recreation and Culture Chris Glenn did a good job of managing the issue during the debate.

Staff from Legal set out what the insurance problem is and what will have to be done to get insurance coverage in place.

There is a very real chance that the boaters may lose their boating season.

There are reports that some members of the LPMA have pulled out and are looking for a place to locate their boat.  The problem with that is – there isn’t that much capacity in the immediate area.

There are a lot of view points out there.

 

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