Gravenhurst moves swimming lessons to the YMCA

The town says goose droppings are causing water quality issues

Gravenhurst Council agreed to move the Town’s swimming lessons to the YMCA for 2025, in the April 15, 2025, meeting.
According to the staff report, the Town is having issues with water quality which is impacting their decision to change the location.
It adds, “Over the last several years, the water quality at Gull Lake continued to diminish posing potential health risk to swimmers.” Issues have persisted despite the Town’s efforts to address it.
Two weeks of testing by the Health Unit last year resulted in E. coli over 1000ppm. The provincial allowance is 200ppm and requires an advisory above that.
The contamination resulted in the Town relocating to Muskoka Bay Park last year, however, due to depth issues interfering with participants completing their lesson plans they had to issue refunds to majority of customers.
Moving the lessons to YMCA would provide safe swimming conditions, and allow participants to complete their lesson plans, resulting in a more cost-effective approach for the Town. However, the cost of the lessons will be based on YMCA rates.
In the meantime, the Town will work on improving the water quality at Gull Lake.
Director of Recreation, Arts and Culture, Shawna Patterson, advised that rain is a main contributor to poor water quality, in addition to boats turning up the water.
According to her report, rain washes contaminants from multiple sources into the lakes. Other factors include wind, waterfowl, and high heat, with warm sand and shallow water being ideal for bacteria growth.
Councillor, Sandy Cairns, expressed concerns about the poor water quality at Gull Lake, indicating that it’s getting worse with E. coli, foreign matter, salt, culvert runoff, oil, gas, grease, in addition to having a septic leak in it once that contributed to issues.
She said they “have a bigger picture to consider,” and suggested staff do an evaluation and “look at the reinspection program to get kids back in the lake.”
Councillor, Randy Jorgensen, referred to storm water run off as a “main reason” for issues at the lake, and concurred that staff come up with solutions and put plans in place for better management of the issue “because we can have the same problem at Muskoka Lake because of the urban area.”  
According to the report, one of the Town’s methods to improve water quality will be controlling the goose population. It indicates, “Infrastructure Services would implement new goose control management and other measures at Gull Lake to try and lessen water quality impacts.”
It adds that other measures include public advisories and hiring lifeguards “for beach services,” which last year included cleaning up the area for the community and visitors.
It continues, “Lifeguards would send 1.5 hours at the start of their day cleaning up feces off the docks, beach and park areas and maintain the cleanup during park checks throughout the day,” which will apply this summer too. 
Patterson said staff will also investigate the potential for using other lakes, including the possibility of returning to Muskoka Bay Park once it’s assessed for water depth safety for swimming lessons.
Councillor, Jo Morphy, indicated that half of the lessons are filled with the seasonal population who won’t sign up if they are held in a pool rather than the lake because they have pools at home. 
She suggested they go week by week regarding determining whether to use the lake or pool instead. She said, “You can put the onus on the client to check lessons each week.”
Jorgensen indicated that the Ontario Open Water Swimming Championships are growing in popularity and “it’s to the Town’s detriment not being able to offer the event.” 
He emphasized the importance of having staff “look at what needs to be in place and address the water quality.” He said goose are only a part of the problem.
Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, agreed with other Council members about the impact of the climate being a major factor. She said, “It’s a sign of the times with Climate Change. We all have to adapt somehow.”