Province tells Falcon Beach concessionaire to clear out
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/11/2011 (5244 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Conservation department has revived its plan to demolish the beachfront concession at Falcon Lake and have a private operator build a new facility.
But the current operator said Manitoba Conservation’s goals aren’t financially feasible and will only deprive beach-goers of an already popular operation.
Parks director Barry Bentham said Conservation has formally notified the current operator, Wally Welechenko, he has to vacate the concession stand and it will be demolished by the end of January.
Bentham said a request for proposals (RFP) issued last year for construction of a new restaurant and beachfront concession failed to draw any interest because prospective operators said it required too large an investment for a seasonal operation.
He said another RFP will be issued by February calling for construction of a new beachfront concession the operator will build, own and maintain on government land on a long-term lease.
Bentham said that given construction timelines, there will not likely be a permanent beachfront food concession at Falcon Lake for the coming summer, but he said he hoped the winning bid will have a temporary facility in place.
There’s been a beachfront concession at Falcon Lake since 1958. Welechenko bought the business in 1997 and expanded it to sales of beach clothing and beach-related rentals. And he brought in Odie the parrot, a blue-and-gold macaw that has become a popular summer attraction.
Welechenko faced eviction from the beach a year ago but was allowed to operate for another summer after then-Conservation minister Bill Blaikie intervened, saying he could stay until a new operator had been chosen.
Welechenko said he doesn’t understand why Conservation officials are determined to demolish the building that houses his Wild Thang concession, adding although the building needs some cosmetic upgrades, it is structurally sound.
Welechenko said he has contacted the office of Conservation Minister Dave Chomiak, but the minister will not return his calls.
aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca