NewsFlash

December 12, 2025

What's Going on at LOBA?

LOBA volunteers are busy year-round keeping up-to-date and providing comments on issues of concern and interest to our members. Here are a few things they are involved in:

• Volunteers from the Planning, Development and Government Relations (PD&GR) Team have been following and commenting on the Township of Lake of Bays Official Plan Review throughout 2025, and will continue their work in 2026.
  
• Members of the PD&GR Team also reviewed and commented on the 2026 Township of Lake of Bays Budget which passed on Tuesday December 9. You can read our letter to the Township here, read about the final budget here and see the Approved Budget at a Glance here.
  
• LOBA President Paul Gleeson has continued his work on the Steering Committee for the District of Muskoka Solid Waste Master Plan. A reminder that starting January 2, 2026 all residents will be required to use clear, colourless garbage bags at Transfer Stations. You can read more about the Clear Commitment here.
  
• Water Quality Program Manager Kieran Molony has collated the E-coli and phosphorus results from this summer’s water quality testing program and forwarded the information to Hutchinson Environmental Services for analysis. You can expect to see the 2025 Water Quality Report in the first half of 2026. You can read last and previous years reports here.
  
• LOBA will be delegating to the Township of Lake of Bays Council early in 2026. Date TBD.
  
• Save the Date - Saturday January 24, 2026 is the LOBA Annual Town Hall meeting. Featuring updates from LOBA, local politicians and a presentation of wildlife trail cam footage by the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation's Rick Stronks. Bethune United Church, Baysville.

We welcome your thoughts and comments on any of these topics.

Email us at info@loba.ca.

2025 Photo Contest Deadline is Fast Approaching!

Open to all Lake of Bays Association members and families. Photos must be previously unpublished and taken in the current year--limit of 5 per category.

They must be in high-resolution, digital format and sent to info@loba.ca, subject line Lake of Bays Association photo contest. Deadline

December 31, 2025

LIFE at the LAKE: people, pets and dwellings

NATURE: wild plants and animals

LANDSCAPE: land, water and sky

photo by Paul Madder

2024 photo contest submission

From the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association (FOCA):

• Bubbler Safety Considerations - In the winter, some waterfront owners install bubblers - a type of de-icing system - intended to prevent the build-up of ice at or around waterfront structures like docks and boathouses. However, before you use a bubbler, read this information sheet about important safety and legal implications. Be safe and enjoy the winter! Learn more about ice changes, ice safety, bubblers, and more on FOCA's webpage.

• November 2025 Elert - Click here to read about FOCA's activities.
  
• 2025 Private Road Survey - FOCA is updating their benchmark statistics about private road ownership and governance, maintenance best practices, specs and materials, fees and expenses, year-round usage trends, top volunteer association concerns, and so much more. You can review the survey questions, assign one person to take the survey on behalf of your group, collect the necessary notes, and complete the survey by December 19, 2025.

From the Township of Lake of Bays:

• Winter Parking Ban in Effect and Driver Safety - The Township of Lake of Bays urges all drivers to prioritize safety on the roads. Plows are actively working to clear roads, so please be patient and give them plenty of room to operate safely and effectively. And an important reminder that there is NO PARKING or standing of vehicles allowed on any road or street in the Township when it interferes with winter operations.

• Township appoints Fire Chief - Following a recruitment process that brought strong interest from across the fire service sector, the Township of Lake of Bays has appointed Jeremy Alldred-Hughes as Director of Emergency Services and Fire Chief, effective November 24, 2025. Read the full article here.

• Township announces completion of Norway Point upgrades - The Township of Lake of Bays announced that the upgrades at Norway Point Park are now complete! While the work wrapped up this fall, the refreshed park will be ready for everyone to enjoy when the warm weather returns in 2026. Read the full article here and watch the video.

• Considering a Run for Office? - The next municipal election is on October 26, 2026 and now is the time for residents to start thinking about taking an active role and exploring what it takes to serve on Council. Read more about the Free Candidate Training Series.

From the District of Muskoka:

• Updated 2026 Tax and Rate Supported Budget Report - now available at the District's website. The Council of The District Municipality of Muskoka intends to reaffirm 2026 Tax and Rate Supported Budgets at its Council meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025.

Do you have family or friends who would like to keep up to date with LOBA NewsFlashes?

Direct them to the LOBA Homepage

and click the E-NEWS button on the right of the page

Reading, Interesting Links and Events

• FRIENDS OF THE MUSKOKA WATERSHED COUNCIL: December 2025 Under the Surface newsletter>

• MUSKOKA WATERSHED COUNCIL: Year end report>

• SAFE QUIET LAKES: November 2025 newsletter>

photo by Kirsten Posehn

2024 photo contest submission

Through education, advocacy and engagement, our mission is to foster a healthy natural environment, responsible waterfront development, a thriving community, and a Lake of Bays shared respectfully and safely by all.

Lake of Bays Association

info@loba.ca

www.loba.ca 

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