Cozy Cabin to remain closed for another winter

Mike Lawrence - Staff Writer

Those who missed the enjoyment of popping by the Cozy Cabin at the Cedar Bay lakeshore last winter will be disappointed to hear that, for the second season in a row, it will be closed.

Sioux Lookout Municipal Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Larose acknowledged the public may be missing the use of the cabin, but said the Municipality has no choice in the matter, stating, “The Municipality’s hands are tied with respect to the cessation of the use of one of the Cedar Bay cabins for Cozy Cabin events at Cedar Bay. The current Provincial COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines will not permit the use of the Cabin for this purpose due to constraints with respect to physical distancing and immunization validation. The Municipality recognizes the popularity of the Cozy Cabin activities, and sincerely regrets the need to close the cabin for this use at this time. The Municipality continues to closely monitor the Provincial COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines and will update its usage guidelines if/when the current restrictions are lifted or altered to permit the use of the cabin.” 

Asked about the possibility of allowing Friends of Cedar Bay and the Lakeshore Committee to check vaccination status and ensure all protocols are followed, Larose explained, “The Municipality, per the Provincial COVID-19 regulations, cannot download our responsibility for immunization validation to volunteers – the Regulations are very specific on this point. We would also like to clarify that these are not ‘Municipal COVID-19 guidelines’, they are provincially imposed requirements, both from the Provincial Government as well as other guidelines stipulated by the Northwestern 

Health Unit.”

Florence Woolner, Board Member of the Lakeshore Committee of Friends of Cedar Bay said, “We’re very disappointed, as this will be the second season it’s been closed. It has become a really nice outing for families. When you have kids it’s a great destination because they know they’ll be able to warm up. It’s been very busy and really popular. So, we are disappointed, because the bigger picture is getting people outside in the winter, especially families. I think I’ve had three calls already from people, one suggesting we get it going sooner.”