Whistler's first lake cleanup is set to take place this Saturday, Aug. 3 between 10 a.m. and noon.
Councillor Roger McCarthy is spearheading the initiative after hearing concerns from residents regarding the amount of garbage found at the bottom of local lakes. Council members and community members will band together in a grass roots cleanup effort, the first of its kind to take place in Whistler.
"This is an opportunity for the community to contribute to the cleaning and maintenance of our water system," said McCarthy. "We are looking for people to come out for just an hour or two to help maintain our amazing lakes."
McCarthy brainstormed the idea after an early July boat ride turned into a garbage collection adventure. Though the refuse he collected then was along the shoreline McCarthy is keen to clean the bottom of the lakes and hopes volunteers with scuba gear will turn out to help this weekend.
The goal of the Great Lake Cleanup is to clean the bottom of the following local lakes:
•Alta Lake Cleanup led by Councillor McCarthy (Meet at Rainbow Park or Lakeside Park at 10 a.m.)
•Alpha Lake Cleanup led by Councillor Andrée Janyk (Meet at Alpha Lake Park at 10 a.m.)
•Lost Lake Cleanup led by Councillor Duane Jackson (Meet at Lost Lake Park at 10 a.m.)
•Nita Lake Cleanup led by the Nita Lake Lodge (Meet at Nita Lake Lodge at 10 a.m.)
Volunteers are needed. Bring your nets, snorkel or scuba gear. Garbage bags will be supplied. Prizes will be awarded for the most unusual finds.
Those interested in volunteering should email McCarthy at rmccarthy@whistler.ca or show up at one of the parks listed above at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3.
