Latest news with #JaneGroenewegen
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
07-02-2025
- CBC
Residents of Hay River, N.W.T. on edge over recent crime in the community
People in Hay River, N.W.T., are feeling on edge about crime in the community. The most recent incident was an attempted arson early Wednesday morning at a home on Stewart Drive. Hay River RCMP say they are investigating the incident and believe it is linked to the local drug trade. Police say two suspects were seen fleeing on foot. A resident managed to extinguish the fire, and no injuries were reported. RCMP say no arrests have been made. Jane Groenewegen, a longtime resident and business owner in Hay River, says that break-ins, property damage, and theft seem to have become more frequent in the community, and that many incidents appear to be linked to drug and addiction issues. It's left many residents feeling unsafe, she says. "When people are desperate, they do desperate things, and that's the kind of thing that's making people nervous, particularly people who live alone, and perhaps the elderly," she said. Groenewegen's downtown hair salon was broken into last month. Thieves stole several valuable items and left the shop in disarray. "The cameras in the mall where that hair salon is, they did their job — it's all there," she said. "But it doesn't seem to be a deterrent." RCMP confirmed that a 23-year-old woman, well-known to police, was arrested and charged with the break-in. Several stolen items were recovered, and the woman now faces multiple property crime-related charges. Groenewegen believes police are doing their best to investigate crimes and lay charges, but she feels the punishments delivered by the court system don't always suit the crime. "When these types of offences get to the courts, it seems like that is where there are limitations on how these matters can be dealt with," she said. In a statement to CBC News, Const. Josh Seaward with the Hay River RCMP said there has always been some crime in the community, but that "it does appear that perhaps it's a bit more heightened" lately — though he wouldn't provide statistics. "On the other hand, we are also more active in the media reporting on these things, and the public has more awareness now," he said. According to recent data from investigations done under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Acts, drug-related charges nearly doubled in the Northwest Territories between 2020 and 2024. Seaward says the police are actively investigating incidents and working to apprehend offenders, but community assistance is crucial and residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity and provide information. "We certainly can't do it alone," he said. "The whole basis of policing is information must come from the general public. Public safety is everybody's responsibility." 'It's important to help with some of the solutions' One local resident who is already trying to do her part is Kimberly Ann Coleman. She's a new member of the Hay River Community Watch group which was formed last summer to help address the crime problem. Coleman also believes there's been a "huge" rise in criminal activity in Hay River, much of it drug-related. "So I think it's important to help with some of the solutions, to deal with the problems," she said. One of the group's new initiatives is a car alarm system designed to deter suspicious activity. Residents take turns monitoring their neighbourhoods, and if they see anything concerning, they activate their car alarms. Coleman said the goal is to create a ripple effect, where multiple alarms sounding at once signal that people are paying attention and will not tolerate criminal activity. Initial tests of the program have shown strong participation. "You can feel like you've done your small part to help out," she said. "It's like, 'hey, we're watching. We know what's going on. We're not going to put up with it anymore.'" However, she stressed that continued community involvement is needed for the group's efforts to be effective. "I say to everybody, 'you can be part of the problem or part of the solution.' And we would love, love, love for people to step up with ideas," Coleman said. The group is also working on advocacy efforts, for example by attending upcoming court proceedings to deliver a community impact statement. Coleman said the goal is to highlight how deeply crime affects the town and encourage courts to take these cases seriously. "We get the opportunity to state how we feel about the situation, what's going on, how it's impacted members of the community," she said. "The hopes are, we can fill the gallery with 15 to 20 people so there's mass support." Coleman believes that real change will require active participation from the entire community. "I grew up in this community, my children grew up in this community, and the real change I have seen growing up is, youth were never afraid to walk to the library, to walk to the pool, to ride their bikes," she said.
