LAKE DIEFENBAKER - In what was seen as more of a water-breaking moment in addition to the standard groundbreaking one, onlookers at the Sandy Shores Resort development that overlooks the shores of Lake Diefenbaker watched as the soil was lifted from the earth and water started pouring down into what would become the lakeside haven's new boat marina.
A sizable crowd of people pulled up chairs and watched as workers made their last preparations and got ready to break open the dirt in order to let the water flow. When it did, cheers rang out as everyone watched the proverbial corner being turned on the lakeside development.
Sandy Shores owner and developer Rauncie Kinnaird was all smiles as the water splashed down into the marina. She says that although she was running on very little sleep, this was a landmark day in the ongoing history of the Lake Diefenbaker resort.
"It's a very big day," said Rauncie, watching intently as the water flowed downward into the marina ground. "I didn't sleep last night, that's for sure! I've been planning this project for almost six years and we've had about a year of construction, so this moment is very important. This area is home and I'm passionate about it, and I'm just so excited about the future and what this brings."
Although people watched as the area was literally taking shape before their very eyes, they've also been keeping close attention to what's being offered by the resort. A number of boat owners and water lovers have snapped up spots in the marina, and Kinnaird says there is room to grow in order to meet any future demand.
"We're not quite half sold right now, but there are 200 slips in place today," she said. "There is also room for expansion in the future."
As Sandy Shores turned this monumental corner, Kinnaird says there's still more steps to be taken in order to fully realize her vision of what she wants the resort to be and what it will offer people.
"We still have a few steps ahead of us for construction," she explained. "There's a lot of parks and landscaping and open houses in the development. We just opened the third phase this year and the community association opened the sport court. I might actually take a little breather this summer while we finish this project up because I've worked pretty hard to move it along and see it through. There's a lot more landscaping to come, though. The area behind us is a boat launch turnout, and the hope is that in the future, it'll function as a STARS rendezvous point. Right now, we're focused on projects like that."
With the new marina now checked off the list, Kinnaird says she's looking forward to taking a bit of a well-earned break before turning her attention to the next phase of projects that Sandy Shores has in store for the future. As the page is turned on this aspect of the resort's development, it's expected that more attention will be turned toward Lake Diefenbaker as the month of June arrives, along with the summer season in which more people will be looking for recreation options.
"One of the next big projects for us is the marina marketplace and the lighthouse," she shared. "I'll probably take some time to collect and get some energy back and then get that project moving. As well, having vendors out here is also going to be very fun."
