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It’s one of the best kept summer secrets in the city—Constance Bay Beach.
While Ottawa’s other beaches are being closed several times a season for high levels of E. coli, Constance Bay Beach is tested several times a week for the bacteria but has never experienced high levels of anything except for the people who are beginning to show up at the quiet spot. The beach is on the Ottawa River about 45 minutes west from downtown.
“We test it about four times a week,” said West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, whose ward is home to the beach. “It’s a really beautiful beach. A jewel.”
A portion of the beach is owned by a private numbered company and another part is owned by the estate of a local resident, but El-Chantiry wants the city to buy it.
He said the city is sinking millions of taxpayer dollars into Petrie Island in the east end, but beachgoers are constantly being turned back from the waters there because of high levels of bacteria.
BEACHES CLOSED
Since Ottawa’s official swimming season began June 21, Petrie Island Beach has been closed to swimmers six days, Westboro Beach has been closed seven days, Mooney’s Bay Beach has been closed one day and Britannia Beach has yet to be closed this year.
Linda Lachance lives in Constance Bay and frequents her community beach whenever the weather and her free time permit.
“It’s a beautiful place,” she said.
But not everyone is encouraging those living outside the community to come to the beach to enjoy the sun and sand.
Gerald Jette’s father bought a piece of waterfront property about 70 years ago for $700. He says he doesn’t mind locals using the beach but has a hard time when others arrive to enjoy the increasingly popular spot.
A few business owners have also expressed concern that beachgoers are using their bathroom facilities without spending money. The city’s agriculture and rural affairs committee agreed Friday to keep several portable toilets at the beach to help stop visitors from urinating on public and private property and using bathrooms of area businesses.
Jette says alcohol use on the beach is a problem and he and his neighbours often find empty and broken beer and wine bottles on the beach.
“One weekend last year a neighbour picked up 22 lbs. of broken beer bottles,” Jette said.
Jette says the city won’t be able to afford to buy the waterfront property.
El-Chantiry has asked the city’s legal department to look into the possible purchase.
(C) Ottawa Sun