Swan pedalos will not be seen on Ryde Canoe Lake for the 2nd consecutive year, it has been confirmed.
For over 100 years locals and tourists alike have been able to enjoy the lake on either a kayak, canoe or swan pedalo. However, the pedalos didn’t make an appearance for the 2022 season and it looks like the same will occur this year…
It’s said that sediment build-up in the shallow body of water was the reason for the 2022 no-show. And no works have taken place over the winter months…
In November, the Canoe Lake was dangerously overflowing due to the failure of a pump that takes water out to sea. On that occasion, Island Echo was told that the pump hadn’t been maintained and it was only after F W Marsh voluntarily inspected and cleaned out the pump that the water levels were able to drop.
Both Canoe Lake and the adjacent Splash Park used to be looked after by Waterside Community Trust (WCT) until WCT made the decision to walk away from the operation of the splash park in May 2022. The (WCT) has an operating licence for use of the pedalo swans
A spokesperson from the Waterside Community Trust has simply said:
“The swan pedalos will not be running for the foreseeable future.”
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Todd Miller, General Manager of the Waterside Community Trust, has said:
“It’s very sad we cannot run the Swan Pedalos, with a £10k loss in income for us, as well as a decision on whether we sell them if the Isle of Wight County Council (IWCC) aren’t going to do anything about the issue.”
The canoe lake is still used for model boat racing by Ryde Model Yacht Club.
Fabulous picture from the 1920s.
Boys in shirts and ties!
And space around the canoe lake not yet built on. .
No pedalos, no splash park, no dotto train, no ice rink, a skate park that may or may not be open. Oh and the funfair doesn’t come to Ryde anymore.
Seems to be a pattern here. And not a good one Town Council.
People need to wake up
plenty of time, effort, money and enthusiasm for rainbow parades or finding homes for dingy people though.
Oh you must have your rainbow parades, far more important than a few pedalos.
“Isle of Wight” council.
Yep instead of wasting millions on train’s that now don’t run well ( no novelty now) and millions on Southern Vectis bus station it would be better spent making it nice to for locals and tourists and improving simple things lake Canoe lake and water park,Apply and Puckpool etc. Other sea fronts spend money, have amusements,Dotto trains, ride’s and water parks. If wasn’t for Peter Pans what would they do.
Agree with the above, however Councillor Knocks will get his beach rave the council have got money for that, oh and the beach rugby, the beach football and the rest of the rubbish they push on the seafront but nothing provided for the children that doesn’t cost a fortune.
If it involved a thousand people buying copious amounts of alcohol and grub while listening to loud music, I’m sure the Town Council would be able to help out with the costs. But pedalos on a lake, I’m doubtful.
Tourism on the Island is poor.
Bring back the boats and pedlo’s
It won’t be a tourist hotspot anymore the whole island is a mess there closing everything
That is true. The plan for the future is 15 minute cities.
1 world Government is coming.
No pedlos? What will our youngsters do with their free time? Graffiti, drugs and antisocial behaviour I imagine. It won’t end well for Ryde, you mark my words.
Likely ‘another’ ploy to run it down to become a stinking fly blown rate infested swamp so then the Council can say ‘As it is a public health hazard we are going to close it and sell the area to our bestee’s who will be tickled pink at ‘another’ chance to build a huge unsightly yet very lucrative apartment block on the sought after site.
I know these people.
I agree entirely. Got the makings of a carve up
For sure the REAL swans will be dlighted, as am I!
This hotchpotch of a council promised us everything would change for the better when their various obscure political partys banded together to get the Tories out. But alas all they’ve given us is even more of the same ole S***
Not a decent idea detween them.
Since they got rid of Wayne Whittle it’s not been the same all they care about is the cock up of the seafront they could never speak the truth there was no need to pull down the toilets and cafe Wightlink no longer have a pay machine at the pier entrance so no more toilets back of cars they gave Wightlink a sum of money from the grant to build a walk way now its not going to be covered
Playing into the Councils hands? As noted this area is slowly deteriorating, Originally intended & Given to us all as a ‘Boating Lake’ & maintained as such for all to use. However letting wildlife take over has brought on its own problems with the fouling they leave behind. Unfortunately we the public are also very much fuelling these ‘possible’ thoughts/problems and as much as some disagree this continuous habit some have of ignoring notices re feeding only increases the chances of losing this facility for all. Perhaps the ‘feeders’ should bring a bag with them & pick up the mess as responsible dog owners do