Sikome Lake poised to re-open this weekend

Sikome Lake is set to open this weekend after being closed for more than two weeks.

The popular swimming hole in Fish Creek Provincial Park was shut after a powerful storm downed trees and damaged fencing last month.

"We’re looking at the weekend," said Camille Weleschuk, spokeswoman for Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. "Both our staff and contractors have been working long hours — seven days a week for two weeks."

The July 27 storm damaged the man-made beach, water treatment plant, security fencing, some trails and nearly 200 trees.

"We’ve invested approximately $100,000 in repairs to Sikome Lake and the water treatment plant since the storm," said Weleschuk.

At least 40 trees need to be removed and 150 others require pruning to rid them of dangerous branches.

Jennell Rempel, the park’s visitor services co-ordinator, said specialized equipment and skilled contractors are required to take care of the downed and damaged trees.

"The huge, old cottonwoods are big and heavy and require special chainsaws," she said.

Matt Davies, an arborist who owns Adair Tree Care Ltd., said cottonwoods and other poplars are especially susceptible in storms.

"Poplars have a weaker structure and the wood itself isn’t strong," he explained. "It’s prone to rotting when the wood is damaged, and this results in breakage."

The arborist has been getting a lot of calls from the southwest after recent storms lashed the quadrant.

"Definitely, the issues are more so coming from the south end of the city, especially trees falling over in Fish Creek Provincial Park," he said.

While Davies hasn’t tackled the work in the park, he’s been dealing with neighbourhoods around it, such as Parkland and Deer Run, where many trees suffered the same fate — dropped limbs and being uprooted.

"This year and last year are busier than previous years I have worked. There’s been substantially bigger weather events," said Davies.

All trails and day use areas in Fish Creek Provincial Park are now open except for Sikome Lake. On a hot day, 15,000 to 20,000 people use the lake.

lstorry@theherald.canwest.com