Latest news with #HayRiver
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism businesses in Hay River, N.W.T., question gov't priorities with new building project
A longtime business owner in Hay River, N.W.T., is raising concerns about a new government-funded building going up at the town's main beach, a place she says has become mostly unusable after floods and fires in recent years. The territory's Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment says that the new facility will replace a beach attendant building destroyed in the 2022 flood. The new structure will be a lifeguard station and picnic shelter, with a stronger foundation to handle future flooding. But Jane Groenewegen, who owns Harbour House, a guesthouse just across from the beach, says she was shocked to see construction begin last week without any public notice or signs explaining what was going on. "We didn't see anything posted. And we're down here quite often," she said. "Whenever there's a development, there's usually a 90-day appeal period where people can comment on what's proposed." Groenewegen said she's frustrated that there was no opportunity for public input, especially since many other tourism-related sites in the community still need to be repaired after flooding and fire damage. She said that while the new building may replace something that was lost, it's the wrong time and the wrong place for it. She also doesn't understand why the territory chose a location that has already seen serious flood damage. "Who asked for this? Yes, it's replacing something, but the timing is off. The beach is a disaster," she said. "The beach is just kind of a swamp now that goes from one end to the other." Groenewegen said the flooding dramatically changed the landscape. The shoreline has receded, and the sand is now overgrown with poisonous vegetation, such as water hemlock. Dead trees still line the campground. She said the beach isn't the only area that still needs attention. At Twin Falls Territorial Park, a major tourist attraction located just outside Hay River, the trails and stairs to the falls remain uncleared since the 2023 wildfires, leaving the site in a rough state and unsafe for visitors. "Our government always says they're so hard up … they got no money for capital projects," she said. "But they got [money] for something that nobody asked for." 'We've had our difficulties' Darrell Dean, who owns Castaways Cottages and Campground on the other side of town, says the new building going up at the beach isn't a top concern for him, but he agrees that there are more urgent priorities in the community that the territory should address first. "I'd rather see them spend their money cleaning the beach up, because nobody's going to go there to stay in a swamp," he said. "It just doesn't make any sense." Dean says he's still trying to recover from the wildfires that burned through his site in 2023, destroying trees, campers, and four cabins. "We've been hit with a couple years of COVID, and then ... a couple years of flood and then a forest fire. So we've had our difficulties," he said. Dean said his campground wasn't insured when the fire hit, because there are no fire hydrants in the area, and coverage has become increasingly complex and expensive to get. Without insurance, he had to cover the cost of replacing everything himself. On top of that, he says one of the biggest challenges he faces is competing with the territorial-run campground, which offers amenities like wi-fi in certain areas, power hookups, and lower rates. He says private operators like himself can't match those prices. "We can't afford to put that kind of money on infrastructure and then charge that little amount of money," Dean said. "The going rate down south … is anywhere from $60 to $125 a night to stay in a campground. We're well below par on the rates." For Dean, offering basic services like power is not financially feasible. He estimates it would cost around $150,000 to install electricity at his campground. Dean said that the territory's infrastructure department has supported him with funding in the past, but large-scale upgrades, such as power installations, remain out of reach for private operators, and he's not aware of any funding program that could cover such high costs. "[The territory] should be investing money in local tour operators, I think, because it's a plus for everybody," he said. Ongoing municipal issues don't help either, he said. His road often isn't plowed or graded, and a flood-damaged culvert still hasn't been properly fixed, making it hard for large campers to reach the site. He says it took over a decade of complaints to get consistent road maintenance.
CBC
19-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Tourism businesses in Hay River, N.W.T., question gov't priorities with new building project
A longtime business owner in Hay River, N.W.T., is raising concerns about a new government-funded building going up at the town's main beach, a place she says has become mostly unusable after floods and fires in recent years. The territory's Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment says that the new facility will replace a beach attendant building destroyed in the 2022 flood. The new structure will be a lifeguard station and picnic shelter, with a stronger foundation to handle future flooding. But Jane Groenewegen, who owns Harbour House, a guesthouse just across from the beach, says she was shocked to see construction begin last week without any public notice or signs explaining what was going on. "We didn't see anything posted. And we're down here quite often," she said. "Whenever there's a development, there's usually a 90-day appeal period where people can comment on what's proposed." Groenewegen said she's frustrated that there was no opportunity for public input, especially since many other tourism-related sites in the community still need to be repaired after flooding and fire damage. She said that while the new building may replace something that was lost, it's the wrong time and the wrong place for it. She also doesn't understand why the territory chose a location that has already seen serious flood damage. "Who asked for this? Yes, it's replacing something, but the timing is off. The beach is a disaster," she said. "The beach is just kind of a swamp now that goes from one end to the other." Groenewegen said the flooding dramatically changed the landscape. The shoreline has receded, and the sand is now overgrown with poisonous vegetation, such as water hemlock. Dead trees still line the campground. She said the beach isn't the only area that still needs attention. At Twin Falls Territorial Park, a major tourist attraction located just outside Hay River, the trails and stairs to the falls remain uncleared since the 2023 wildfires, leaving the site in a rough state and unsafe for visitors. "Our government always says they're so hard up … they got no money for capital projects," she said. "But they got [money] for something that nobody asked for." 'We've had our difficulties' Darrell Dean, who owns Castaways Cottages and Campground on the other side of town, says the new building going up at the beach isn't a top concern for him, but he agrees that there are more urgent priorities in the community that the territory should address first. "I'd rather see them spend their money cleaning the beach up, because nobody's going to go there to stay in a swamp," he said. "It just doesn't make any sense." Dean says he's still trying to recover from the wildfires that burned through his site in 2023, destroying trees, campers, and four cabins. "We've been hit with a couple years of COVID, and then ... a couple years of flood and then a forest fire. So we've had our difficulties," he said. Dean said his campground wasn't insured when the fire hit, because there are no fire hydrants in the area, and coverage has become increasingly complex and expensive to get. Without insurance, he had to cover the cost of replacing everything himself. On top of that, he says one of the biggest challenges he faces is competing with the territorial-run campground, which offers amenities like wi-fi in certain areas, power hookups, and lower rates. He says private operators like himself can't match those prices. "We can't afford to put that kind of money on infrastructure and then charge that little amount of money," Dean said. "The going rate down south … is anywhere from $60 to $125 a night to stay in a campground. We're well below par on the rates." For Dean, offering basic services like power is not financially feasible. He estimates it would cost around $150,000 to install electricity at his campground. Dean said that the territory's infrastructure department has supported him with funding in the past, but large-scale upgrades, such as power installations, remain out of reach for private operators, and he's not aware of any funding program that could cover such high costs. "[The territory] should be investing money in local tour operators, I think, because it's a plus for everybody," he said. Ongoing municipal issues don't help either, he said. His road often isn't plowed or graded, and a flood-damaged culvert still hasn't been properly fixed, making it hard for large campers to reach the site. He says it took over a decade of complaints to get consistent road maintenance.
CBC
18-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Virtual doctors to help keep ER open in Hay River, N.W.T., until next week
New 'Limited' physician coverage at health centre until next Thursday, says local health authority Remote doctors will help provide care at the health centre in Hay River, N.W.T., until late next week to keep the emergency department open amid a shortage of on-site physicians, says the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority. In an update posted to Facebook Thursday afternoon, the authority said it would keep the emergency department open from July 17 to 24, with "limited" physician coverage and support from nurses and virtual doctors. The authority described virtual doctors in its release as licensed health-care professionals who provide remote care and can do things like carry out assessments and give prescriptions. "They work closely with on-site staff to ensure continuity of care," the authority said. "Residents are asked to be mindful that wait times may vary depending on physician availability and patient volumes." People are still asked to call 911 if they have an emergency. This is not the first time the authority is relying on virtual doctors. In April, it said it would go without an on-site doctor at the health centre for nearly a week. At the time, it said patients needing a doctor would be connected to one virtually or they would be medevaced to Yellowknife or Edmonton if needed.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Environment Canada heat warnings remain in effect from Ontario to Newfoundland
Weather alerts are shown in a graphic from Environment Canada posted early Thursday morning, July 17, 2025. Daytime temperatures from Windsor, Ontario, to St. John's, Newfoundland, are going to remain hot a little longer. Environment Canada has several heat warnings in effect this morning, along a 2,400-kilometre stretch of southeastern Canada. The warnings forecast daytime highs in some areas between 31 and 34 degrees Celsius -- with a humidex of 37 to 42. As with any heat warning, it is recommended that people watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion and check in with vulnerable family and friends to ensure their well-being. For residents in Southern Ontario and southern Quebec, the heat wave is expected to start cooling off later today or this evening, while farther east the warmer weather will likely linger into Friday. There was also one heat warning posted for the Northwest Territories -- in the Hay River region -- with highs forecast to reach 28 to 31. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Hay River business owner questions territory's beach infrastracture
Tourism operators in Hay River are still recovering from recent natural disasters. As the N.W.T. government builds a new structure at the town's beach, one person says there are more pressing needs. Carla Ulrich has that story.
