Osprey Lake Community Web Site

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Traffic Safety - Princeton-Summerland Rd

There was a great community meeting held at the Hayes Creek Fire Hall on August 11, 2016. It was attended by 50 people, including MLAs Jacquie Tegart and Linda Larsen, Area H Director Bob Coyne, Weyerhaeuser Manager Rick Watson, and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Manager Steve Sirett. Local resident Greg Tellier gave a presentation on the signage requests made, and promises broken, over the last three years. After considerable discussion, it was agreed to reduce the speed limit thru the Osprey/Link and Chain Lake communities to 60kmh from 80kmh and to provide additional safety signage. Hopefully the new signs will be up shortly. Property owners along the Princeton-Summerland Rd are reminded to clear brush around their driveways to ensure better lines when pulling out onto the busy road.

Destination Wedding - July 2016

Congratulations to Shannon and Nick. Over the last couple of years, we've had a few weddings around Osprey Lake. This one was a little larger - all accommodation in the area was reserved last year, allowing 100 guests to attend the wedding and spend the night.

Okanagan Wind Farm - Shinish Creek Site, north of Thursk Lake

Information on Okanagan Wind can be found at their website (www.OkanaganWind.ca). Each Wednesday a new update is posted to the website, generally outlining a development in their projects. There are many photos to look through for anyone interested in knowing what the sites look like, what progress is being done or what equipment is used.

They also have a monthly newsletter. The September 2016 newsletter is available here.

THE OSPREY LAKE GREAT SPRING FLOOD OF 2016

The Big Flood hit the west end of Lakesyde Rd. on April 8th, 2016. When the Waterboard were forced to take out the dam on Lee Creek a few years ago, they informed the government the size or quantity of culverts under the local roads may need to be increased. This did not happen and now a few days of warm weather have resulted in a quick melt and water running over Princeton Summerland Rd and Lakesyde Rd.

The west end of Lakesyde was blocked, but opened again on April 11. Many yards in the immediate area are flooded and a couple of homes had basements flooded – luckily there were no injuries.

It ended up being a day of community and neighbors coming together to help each other and combat nature. The three culverts on Lee Creek: Princeton Summerland Rd., Meadow Crescent, and Lakesyde Rd. were all overwhelmed by a surge in the creek that started April 8th at 9 PM and ended 4 PM the following day. Hayes Creek Fire Dept. with mutual aid from Erris Fire Dept., neighbors, friends, and later, help from Provincial Emergency Preparedness, RDOS Emergency Coordinater Dale Kronebusch, and the big guns from Argo: Dave Swales and Clinton. Well over 40 bodies, 2 local hoes, a dump trailer, 3 tractors, and a Skidsteer Bobcat were used. They also filled over 400 sand bags and placed them. Special thanks to Suzie and her crew who kept the troops fed and hydrated. A big thank you to all who worked so hard or provided equipment or aid.

Neighbourhood Break Ins - Spring 2016

MAY 9th - More suspicious activity in the area - a white Dodge Ram extended cab, diesel, (late 90's model) broken driver's side tail light, license KD 8438 with 2 men and a women was up someone's driveway (near 44km). The same truck was reported on another property at 24km earlier today. Both owner's felt something was 'off' - unfortunately the RCMP cannot act only on 'suspicious' activity.

APRIL 15th - Over the last few days there have been at least two break-ins in the area. So far, one ATV, two motorcycles, and a laptop were known to be stolen. RCMP were notified and have checked out two sites. One suspect has been arrested and a suspected vehicle impounded, thanks to quick response from Hayes Creek Fire acting on a reported suspicious situation. Luckily this resulting in the return of some of the stolen goods.

One of the break-ins was at a full time resident who had only left the area for 4 hours. Hayes Creek Fire volunteers have checked nearby residences and anyone suspected of having a break-in was notified. A reminder to keep gates securely locked and any valuables secure.

This is another valuable service Hayes Creek Fire provides for the community. Please ensure your address and emergency contact information are up to date and registered with them. See their webpage, from the above link under Community Organizations, for the registration form and fee.

Easter Egg Hunt - March 27, 2016

About 15 children from our community, their relatives and guests, took part is this free years event. This is the first time we've had snow actually falling on Easter, although it was very early this year. There were lots of gifts and candies for all the children. Thanks to Karren Hodge for organizing everything this year, and to Christine Nichols for candy donations.

CHRISTMAS 2015 - around Osprey Lake

The season started off with the 32nd annual Christmas Eve Santa Run - with a lit and decorated sleigh pulled by a reindeer mounted snowmobile and of course Santa and his costumed elves. They caused quite a stir as they dashed across frozen lakes and snow to 12 houses bringing gifts, candy and excitement to 30 wide eyed little ones, and a few big ones too Special thanks to Grant-a-claus and all his elves and to Ruth Bourgoin and Susie Grizer for organizing all the gifts.

After a year lapse, another successful Poker Run was held on Sunday, December 27, 2015. There were 42 sleds registered for the 42km run - all enjoyed a perfect day. Winner was Sydney Reid, with prizes awarded to most riders. Thanks to all those who donated prizes and the volunteers who helped lay out the run, set up, groomed, took registrations, sold tickets and served food, Key sponsors were Pro Auto, Five Star Motorsports, B Line Designs, Snap on Tools, Ridgid Tools, and the O’Connor Group. Thanks to Herman Zorn for donating a trophy. Penticton Honda arrived with five Timbersled snow bikes for everyone to see, and try if they wanted. Great to have a nearby dealer and repair company participate is our community event. Penticton Honda is an authorized dealer and repair facility for not only Honda, but Polaris, Husqvarna, and Stihl. Contact Ryan Cutler for more details at 1-800-663-5055.

Last year we had a major fireworks display, but we notched it up a little this year with a full New Year’s Fireworks Party on the ice. Approximately 150 people gathered in front of the Osprey Lake Forestry Campsite for refreshments and music, then at midnight Al Quadling and Duane Bencharski set off a fantastic fireworks display. Thanks for all those who made this such a great evening.

The 20th annual Snow Golf tournament attracted 43 golfers for an afternoon of generally mediocre golfing, the odd good golfer, but lots of laughs. Winners were settled by a “chip off” with Darcy Nichols the winner. Len Mitchell, Norris Smith, Scott Haller, Jordan Quadling and Chris Newman were all ‘almost’ there. Thanks to Len and Troy Mitchell for designing and setting up the course, and to John Deere, Bridge Electric, HY Louie, and many others for donating prizes.

And special thanks to Rob Miller for hosting the nightly Hay Wagon Ride. Although it got down to -23c one evening, up to 30 people at a time enjoyed an open air evening ride around the community on the hay wagon, enjoying the tunes and flashing lights, bringing their own warm clothing, blankets, and refreshments, and helping out with donations for the Princeton Food Bank.

Unfortunately, we also had a couple of significant snowmobile accidents requiring ambulances – one during the Poker Run which required the Hayes Creek Rescue Toboggan and the second involving two ladies on a sled – almost fatal due to no helmets, inexperience, not familiar with the area, and riding alone.

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Just a heads up - Princeton no longer has free dump days. These Spring and Fall events have been replaced with two stickers per year, which must be picked up in person from the City Hall. These can be used anytime and are good for up to 500 kg each. This eliminates the long line ups at the dump and gives each household the opportunity to take large items/loads to the dump at their convenience.

November 1, 2015 - ORV (off road vehicle) License Plate and Registration mandatory and available thru any ICBC Insurance office - $48/vehicle one time fee + cost of liability insurance. For further info, please visit Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Off Road Vehicle Information https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/orv/

July 5, 2015 - Looks like there is a few unwelcome visitors in our community. Reports of people accessing the water thru private properties and a Green Toyota Sienna Van with "young guys" suspiciously cruising the area. Make sure you lock everything up, note the plate numbers and descriptions of an suspicious vehicles and report any missing items.

June 5, 2015 - Numerous road safety signs have been installed around Osprey, Link, and Chain Lakes - still waiting for a speed limit reduction of the Princeton-Summerland Rd down to 50km/h.

April 10, 2015 - Princeton Landfill is now enforcing a new regulation requiring all pickup trucks (beds) or trailer loads to be covered before entering the landfill. To prevent anything from blowing out during transit a tarp, plywood, or some sort of covering must be used. This is now a Princeton Bylaw. Anyone entering the landfill without appropriate covering on their garbage may be turned away or charged extra. Also, all refuse must be sorted to the proper category of waste, recyclables, metal, wood, etc. It is up to the person attending the landfill to sort their own waste and dispose of it appropriately.

The local TeePee Lakes Store, Cafe, and Cabins closed September 30, 2014.
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The Osprey Lake area is a residential and recreational area offering winter (ice) and summer fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, kayaking, snow shoeing, ATV riding, hunting, horse back riding, bicycling, and many more sporting activities. When riding near residential areas, on the KVR, local roads, or nearby trails, all motorized vehicle operators to should respect other users, slow down, and minimize dust and noise.
Note - to ride on Forest Service Roads or crown land, all ATV/Snowmobile vehicles are required to have ORV license plates and a minimum of $200,000 liability insurance, and all operators to have a valid driver's license.
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