It’s excellent lake weather and hopefully you’ll get a chance to spend a day or two out strolling the sidewalks and beaches of Sylvan Lake.  One of the many historic markers located along Lakeshore Drive includes this 1928 photograph of Mr. J.P. Simpson’s boathouse.  He built this boathouse adjacent to the new Women’s Institute (W.I.) Pier.  Besides housing boats, canoes, outboard motors and bathing suits for rent, it held a concession booth which sold snacks.  The boats rented for 50 cents the first hour, 25 cents for any additional hours, or two dollars per day.  A  yearly chore for the owners was painting the fifty boats kept there.  In 1979, the building was dismantled and hauled away.

Some additional history for your Todayville readers – the faithful workers of the Women’s Institute of Sylvan Lake (W.I.), who were the main backbone of the committee who brought about the construction of the new pier at the Lake, were favored with a charming afternoon on Thursday, and a large crowd of visitors, at the opening of the pier. Hon. R.B. Bennett, K.C., leader of the Conservative Party, motored from Calgary with Dr. McNabb, who owns “Rusticana”, one of the finest cottages on the lake front, right near the pier. Mr. Bennett was the speaker of the day and opened the pier with impressive style. Luncheon was served at 1:30 p.m at the Dingwall Hotel. Mr. A.M. Steele, chairman of the pier committee, presided. At this right sat the guest of honor, Mr. Bennett, and on Mr. Bennett’s right, sat Mrs. Dingwall, president of the W.I.  Around the table were gathered the following: Rev. Dingle, Mrs. E. Bardwell, Mr. Thomas, Miss Graham, Alfred Speakman, M.P., Mrs. McNabb, Mrs. C. Falkner, Mrs. Steele, Dr. McNabb, Mrs. W.E. Payne, G.W. Smith, M.P.P., Mr. Payne, Mrs. Miller, Mr. McCaskill, Mr. Bardwell, Mr. F.L. Appleton and Chief MacDonald of Condor.  The serving was nicely carried out by a bevy of summer-gowned lassies, marshalled by Mrs. McCrimmon, Sylvan Lake, and Mrs. Lindsay, Red Deer. During the progress of the luncheon, music on the bagpipes was played by Chief MacDonald.

The ladies of the W.I. marched to the lakeshore for the proceedings of the afternoon. The ceremonies began in front of the rustic arch which forms the entrance of the new pier at 4:35 p.m., with Mr. Steele acting as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. W.E. Payne, K.C., introduced Mr. Bennett in felicitous terms, speaking of his honorable record as an Albertan and a Canadian. Mr. Steele extended to Mr. Bennett the thanks of the Women’s Institute and Miss Graham, the secretary-treasurer, presented Mrs. Dingwall with a bouquet of handsome carnations in recognition of her most valuable service in helping forward the pier project.

Mr. Bennett got a rousing reception on rising to speak. He said he really felt quite overcome by the welcome extended by the Lake people. “You are a small community, but it is from smaller communities that we look for supplies of our manhood and womanhood,” he said. The new pier erected by the cooperative efforts of the ladies of the W.I., he characterized as a very fine piece of public service. He hoped that in years to come the ladies who had done so well would feel justly recompensed for their efforts. Mr. Bennett wanted the younger ones to fully realize what a great country Canada was. He mentioned his recent tour of the province of Quebec, where he visited French settlements that had been there since 1660, and the English settlements that were 150 years old. A great country it was.  Alberta was a wonderful province. Last year, the farmers, their wives and sons and daughters had produced $365,000,000 of new wealth. Less than 700,000 people had done this, while the total of all the mines produced in Canada last year was around $250,000,000. Mr. Bennett, in stirring, captivating tones, asked the young people within the sound of his voice if they were going to do something to make this a grander country for the generation that would follow.  The question was, what are we going to give the country that has done so much for us?  “You good people that have borne the heat and the toil of the day, my hope is that in your declining years you may find a great peace and happiness.”

Before Mr. Bennett cut the ribbons of the pier entrance, there were two short addresses eulogistic of the honored guest given by Mr. Speakman and Mr. McCaskill, and a promenade of the pier, led by the pipes, was made.  The ticket selling, the floral decorations, the publicity, the water sports, all were handled by energetic committees. – Adapted from The Red Deer Advocate, July 19, 1928.

Postscript – the W.I. Pier was put to good use by countless thousands of sightseers of all ages, swimmers, sunbathers, canoeists, boaters, fishermen and seagulls for an enjoyable 25 years. By 1953, the foot traffic and the elements had taken their toll; the pier was no longer considered safe; the structure was dismantled.

“Reflections of Sylvan Lake”, pp. 89-90.

For more information about the Sylvan Lake and District Archives, CLICK HERE.

Sylvan Lake & District Archives,  5012  – 48 Avenue,  Lower Level, Municipal Government Building

Sylvan Lake, AB  T4S 1G6

403-887-1185 x262

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