Cultus Lake – On the heels of the PHO insisting that residents of Whistler Village receive COVID vaccines after the mass outbreak at that resort, a similar request for Cultus Lake has now been made public.
In a letter sent to FVN and chillTV, the Cultus Lake Community Association asked Fraser Health for vaccinations for the 500 residents of Cultus Lake. Cultus does NOT have resort status similar to Whistler or Harrison.
The letter stated their reason for concern:
April 15th, 2021
Fraser Health Authority
Fraser East
Dear Dr. Andrew Larder:
RE: Covid-19 Vaccination for the approximate 1,000 residents of Cultus Lake Park.
We are the Cultus Lake Community Association for Cultus Lake Park, in Cultus Lake, BC. We are a volunteer group that advocates for the residential leaseholders and full time renters in this Park.
There are approximately 500 Residential Lease properties at Cultus Lake Park. This park is very similar to a resort in which there is an influx of over a million visitors to this area between April to September yearly. This park is comprised of roughly one third rental homes and Air Bnb’s and the rest are full time residents or residents that have a second home here that usually reside in the Vancouver area. There are approximately 1,000 residents that reside at Cultus Lake Park. During the months of April to September the full time population doubles with the Sunnyside Seasonal Campground residents that come here yearly with their Recreational Vehicles/Campers. As well as over 200 camping sites for day time campers.
Given the continued severity of the Covid-19 spread especially currently with the threat of the extremely contagious variants we are writing to ask that you consider providing a community vaccination program for the residents of Cultus Lake Park. The demographics of this community has changed over time and now the age of the population that reside here is predominantly 40 years of age and older with a majority not having yet received a vaccine. The concern is that a large portion of the age population that overtakes the park during the summer months are 18 to 45 years of age. What is especially alarming is the close proximity of the visitors to the residential homes. On the waterfront lies the Trans Canada Trail that passes right next to the residential homes that are on 60’ x 25’ lots with 4’ between the homes. A couple street up from the waterfront are residential homes that are on 60’ x 40’ lots with 8’ between homes. The visitors sit in front of the lake front homes and alongside the residential area at Main Beach. The walking trails and streets are inundated with people visiting Cultus Lake Park. Normally this would not be an issue and an inherited expectation from living within a park. Given the dire situation with Covid-19 and the ramification of the virus, people in record numbers are flocking to the outdoors. For people who reside in the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley often this is their first choice of recreational area to attend.
Many Air Bnb’s at Cultus Lake Park have allowed alarming amounts of people to rent at one time as well there have been advertisement’s stating “come quarantine at Cultus Lake”. Given that this is an invisible virus no one quite knows who infected and who is not. With the rise in positive cases, we often observe here within the park, the blatant disregard for safety and health protocols as advised by the Provincial Health Officer.
We understand that shutting down the park is not an option but we know the people will flock here, therefore the only solution is to protect the Cultus Lake Park residents that live here by implementing a vaccination program. Otherwise the residents will be imprisoned in their own homes or will be potentially exposed to the virus on a daily basis with different visitors arriving daily.
There are many attractions that draw people to our community, the lake, Adventure Park, Waterslide Park, Golf Course, Restaurants, etc. The proximity of visitors to the residents is exponentially closer than to anyone in Whistler or Tofino.
