CBS looking into reports of risky behaviour on Lawrence Pond

By Craig Westcott

Melissa Hardy says she’s heard the reports about close calls involving watercraft on Lawrence Pond and shares the concern about public safety.
The CBS Ward 4 councillor says she witnessed questionable behaviour herself recently.
Hardy was responding to a request from The Shoreline to discuss the issue after the paper received a complaint from resident Fabian Murphy.
“I think it would be worth while doing a story in your paper regarding the number of watercraft accidents that have occurred on Lawrence Pond the past two years,” said Murphy. “The number of high powered watercraft being operated reckless and dangerously on this small pond have significantly increased. Several accidents have occurred, and several people have been injured. Many residents are concerned that someone will be seriously hurt or worse if something isn’t done soon to regulate the number of motorized watercrafts operating and the speed and manner in which they are being operated. I understand a committee is being formed to work with the town of CBS and Transport Canada to bring awareness of boating safety to this recreational area.”
Hardy said she has not heard of such a committee but has asked Town staff to look into the matter.
“I did have one lady reach out to me earlier this summer and I brought it forward to council and the director of recreation is actually in the process now of trying to figure out who has rights to the waterways,” said Hardy. “He’s going to be working with the provincial government trying to figure out if we put some signs up there how do you police it? We don’t own the water, so how do we police it? So, we’re doing a little bit of background work now… The director of recreation is reaching out to the provincial government and other municipalities to see what they do.”
Lawrence Pond is one of the most popular ponds for recreational activities on the Avalon. It is to the west end of CBS what Topsail Pond, now officially part of Paradise, is to the east.
“It is beautiful,” said Hardy. “And I understand the residents’ concerns because I have the exact same concern. I’ve got two small girls, we love going up to the pond to just let loose, the kids can go out and I can relax on the shore, because they know their limits. But a couple of weeks ago there was a motorized sea-doo that was in way too close for my comfort. So, we did get the kids out of the water until they moved along. So, I see their concerns and they’re valid concerns and I’m aligned with them, I understand why they’re upset, so we’re trying to figure out how to police that right now.”
Hardy said she has checked with Town officials and the CBS Fire Department to see if there have been any reported calls or incidents.
“We have had no complaints that have come into the Town specifically, besides the one call I did receive from a lady,” Hardy said. “And the fire chief says they have had no calls to any incidents on Lawrence Pond. But I did speak to a lady who said there were incidents. But they didn’t call the fire department to show up on the scene.”
Hardy said she comes from a family that has spent a lot of time on the water and there is such a thing as boating etiquette. “We’ve all got to figure out how we can play in the same pond,” she explained. “The kids want to swim, the dogs want to swim, people want to go out on their paddle boats, their kayaks, and the sea-doos, I think, are lovely too. We’ve got to figure out how to all play together nicely and safer in the same pond… Everyone has to do their part to say, ‘What makes the most sense so that everyone can have fun and everyone feels safe?'”