Parents visiting Cultus Lake with their kids will have some added comfort about their child's safety now that a free life-jacket loaner program is in place at Main Beach.
Cultus Lake Park announced the launch of its 'Kids Don't Float' life jacket loaner station program on Friday, July 12.
At no cost, visitors can borrow a personal flotation device from a little hut at Main Beach and return it when they're done. The life jackets are available in various sizes, including infant, youth and universal sizes to fit adults.
The collaboration project is a way to promote and educate the public about water safety in the wake of several drownings and incidents on local waterways. In 2023, there were at least three fatal drownings in Chilliwack during the summer months.
Boating and water safety has become a concern over the last couple years with water-related incidents, rescues, fatal drownings, plus the trauma to families, community members, visitors and first responders, said Rachel Litchfield, corporate officer of Cultus Lake Park.
Many resources have been utilized in all situations and it's quite costly to deploy services and resources, she added.
For the 'Kids Don't Float' program, Cultus Lake Park partnered with RCMP and sponsors who made kind donations, and have come together to encourage water safety.
"The board is proud of our community and organizational partners who have come together to provide this important initiative promoting the safe enjoyment of Cultus Lake Park," said Dzaman, chair of the Cultus Lake Park Board.
The initiative also helps educate the public about drowning and injury prevention through materials such as posters and pamphlets. The pamphlets include information on water safety, tips when boating on cold water, plus they are available in many different languages.
"Life jackets will be placed at the hut by staff based on their scheduling daily and brought in at the end of the day," Litchfield added.
The availability of the life jackets is on a first-come-first-served basis, and the hut is not manned by staff however, it is monitored.
Litchfield noted that Cultus Lake Park – which is separate from Cultus Lake Provincial Park – receives no funding on a local, provincial or federal level and is entirely self-sustaining.
