Looking Back

Here’s a look at what was happening in the month of June over the last 45 years in Canyon Lake.

45 years ago

In June 1973, the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club announced it would be purchasing a portable resuscitator at a cost of $8,000 through the Quail Valley Fire Department. The resuscitator was to be placed at Lord’s Store for emergencies within the community.

A club for teenagers was formed and David Becker was elected president. The club had no formal name at the time. Club meetings were held in the evening on the first Saturday of each month at the lodge.

Lighthouse Magazine joined forces with the POA in publishing a Special Edition for the June issue. The magazine included more official POA news and reports from the board of directors. A subscription to Lighthouse Magazine was $5 per year.

The clean-up of Skippers Island was finishing up and the Men’s Club requested permission from the board of directors to place a six foot by six foot fire ring on the island and at Indian Beach. The request was approved by a four to one vote.

40 years ago

The Men’s Golf Club held a Member/Guest Tournament. Entry fees were $50 per team and included dinner for four people at the lodge.

In June, the Woman’s Club held its “Installation of Officers” meeting in the Fireside Room at the lodge. The first official duty for the new officers was attending a luncheon at the home of Doris Albert before the club took its summer break.

A three bedroom waterfront home with a boat dock was being offered for $125,000 and a four bedroom home across the street from docks and a park was being offered for $85,000.

A new Ford Pinto was purchased for Security at a cost of $4,100.

Three college lifeguards were hired for the pool and Sunset Beach. The lifeguards were under the jurisdiction of the security department and members were reminded they were not there to babysit but to provide lifesaving measures in the event of an emergency.

More than 50 members of the Lions Club and their families attended the dedication of Lions Park on Yellow Feather Drive. A potluck dinner was served to celebrate the opening of the park.

Lighthouse Magazine reported a house fire that occurred on Memorial Day weekend in 1978. The fire, caused by an out of control barbecue, destroyed the waterfront home. File Photo

Lighthouse Magazine reported on a house fire that took place on Memorial Day weekend. The fire was started when a roast being barbequed on the deck of a home got out of control. The fire destroyed the waterfront home.

Plans were underway to develop Canyon Lake Baseball Field, now Gault Field.

35 years ago

In June 1983, ground was broken for the new Railroad Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant on Railroad Canyon. The new plant would add the capacity of 750,000 gallons of sewage per day to Canyon Lake’s existing 150,000 gallons and was expected to alleviate the odor and unhealthful conditions of Canyon Lake’s overtaxed sewer plant.

As of June 3, $2,322 had been raised for the upcoming fireworks show to be held on July 3 in celebration of Independence Day. No POA funds would be used for the show and all donations had come from property owners, clubs and businesses. An additional $678 would need to be raised prior to the July 3 celebration.

The POA fees for 1983 were published in Canyon Lake Community News. At Happy Camp, a lakefront full hook-up camp site was $10 per day, off water was $6.50 per day. Golf course annual dues were $365 for an individual and $570 per couple. At the equestrian center, a single barn stall was $122 per month, $68 per month for pasture.

The Jr. Women’s Club raised $10,492 at its annual Chili Cook-off fundraiser. A total of $ 5,571.32 from the proceeds was earmarked for a new PA system at the lodge.

The Fireside Room at the lodge was closed for remodeling from June 19 through June 29.

30 years ago

In June 1988, following a judgment by a Riverside County Superior Court jury that awarded $1.75 million to South Shore Marina Condominiums and Canyon Lake Associates, Inc. for malicious prosecution by the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association, the POA filed a Chapter 11 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court. The move to file Chapter 11 was to prevent the plaintiffs from collecting their judgment. In a letter from POA attorneys, property owners were assured there would be no disruption of services as a result of the judgment or filing of Chapter 11.

An Acoustics Committee was formed to study acoustical problems in the lodge meeting rooms. All of the hard surfaces in the lodge contributed to the problems. An acoustics consultant who visited the lodge suggested fabric covered boards to cover walls and tie back draperies for the windows. Estimates for the job were between $15,000 and $18,000.

The Presidents’ Council spearheaded a recycling project to raise funds for the Fourth of July fireworks show. Large receptacles were placed at the east gate and Main Post Office for Canyon Lakers to drop on newspapers and aluminum cans. As of June, approximately $1,330 had been raised toward the fireworks show.

A new three bedroom, two and a half bath golf course home was being offered at $229,000 and a three bedroom, two bath home with monthly gardener service was renting for $900 per month.

25 years ago

Work was continuing on the city’s project to install a traffic signal at Canyon Lake Drive North and Goetz Road. The project was expected to be completed mid-July.

In June 1993, construction was underway to install a new traffic light at Canyon Lake Drive North and Goetz Road. File Photo

Fiesta Day was described as “The biggest Fiesta Day ever,” by the committee organizing the event. Residents and guests enjoyed the parade followed by entertainment, food, contests and products offered by clubs and local businesses. Parade Grand Marshalls were Mike and Dee Dee Davis.

Canyon Lakers Joshua Ferguson and Benjamin Munton received the award of Eagle Scout, the highest honor given to youth by the Boy Scouts of America.

A three bedroom, two bath waterfront condo with a boat slip was being offered at $99,000 and a four bedroom, two bath golf course home was being offered at $229,000.

20 years ago

Work continued to update the east gate guard house and entry.

In June 1998, construction continued on upgrading the east gate. The project was expected to be completed by July 4. File Photo

The POA was soliciting name suggestions from property owners for a new name for East Port Park. Residents were reminded that Holiday Harbor Park was once called Lot 78 and encouraged to “put their thinking caps on” and suggest a name for the park. A Grand Opening was held at the park with members of the Canyon Lake Royal Court and city and POA officials attending. To date, the park name still remains the same.

File Photo

The Home Owners Club was selling golf cart flags that were miniature versions of the popular community flags. The flags could be purchased at Scott Business Services in Towne Center for $10.

A standing room only crowd of Canyon Lake residents filled the downstairs room at the country club regarding the future economic development of Canyon Lake. At the meeting, representatives of The Natelson Company discussed a nine-point plan to improve the economic development in Canyon Lake including rezoning a 25-acre area adjacent to Towne Center referred to as the “Malone” site. Residents were overwhelmingly opposed to the rezoning and after a lively discussion it was agreed by all that developing the Malone site was not an option.

15 years ago

Seven Canyon Lake girls were selected as valedictorians for their high school graduation. Twins Michelle and Stephanie Gagnon, Michelle Harmon, Jillian Hutchins, Erica Laugalis, Diane Lewis and Casey McIntosh all qualified with outstanding GPAs, incorporating several AP classes and honors.

The Board of Directors was soliciting comments from residents regarding a proposed change to CC&R rules that would allow boaters to register three vessels on the lake. At the time the rules stated that each tract and lot could register one boat over 70 horsepower and one less than 70 horsepower. POA President Suzie Kessler explained at a Tuesday night workshop that there are many world-renowned skiers that live in Canyon Lake and have more than one ski boat and they’d like to be able to register their second boat on the lake.

Expansion and improvements of the senior center were underway. A new 1,000 sq. ft. addition to the building, retaining wall, covered patio, sidewalks and additional parking were part of the $279,123 project.

New tennis courts were under construction at the lodge. The project cost was $243,496 and included retaining walls, lighting and sidewalks.

The Board of Directors approved a new rule a the swimming pool. The rule stated that all pets are prohibited in the pool area.

A main lake three story waterfront mansion was being offered at $999,000 and a 4,100 sq. ft., five bedroom, five bath home near a waterfront park was being offered at $479,000.

10 years ago

In June 2008, Canyon Lake Lions Club was honored to be named “Top Club in Category B” and “Club of the Year” at a Lions Club convention held in Bakersfield, California. Lioness Joanna Spiller was presented with a “Certificate of Appreciation,” the highest honor a Lioness can receive. LaRue McNamara was awarded “100 Percent Secretary” as well as the Governor’s Appreciation Medal.

The controversial development of Goetz Hill by Sky Blue Investments was the hot topic around Canyon Lake as the city council called for an Environmental Impact Report in April that was due to be released in November. At a June 4 board meeting, a grassroots group called Concerned Citizens of Canyon Lake outlined their opposition of the development. Dave Carlton of Sky Blue Investments presented what he said would be the first of many public meetings on the subject. Dave also announced that the investors of Blue Sky had withdrawn their application for grading the site pending further development decisions.

The Board of Directors was seeking resident comments on proposed “Community Setback Parking Restrictions” giving members 30 days to comment before voting on the rule. The proposed rule would prohibit the parking of golf carts, trailers, boats, RVs and any vehicle with a height in excess of seven feet.

The Canyon Lake City Council approved a new ordinance to allow code enforcement officers to cite vehicles left for sale in the Towne Center and other parking lots in Canyon Lake as well as on any public streets outside the gates.

The City of Canyon Lake purchased a new hybrid-powered 2008 GMC Yukon for use by the Canyon Lake Police Department’s Special Enforcement Officer. The new environmentally friendly vehicle was expected to provide an 80 percent improvement in fuel economy over similar vehicles powered by gasoline alone.

A three bedroom, six bath waterfront home with a den/office and game room on Canyon Club Drive was being offered at $1,495,000 and a two bedroom, two bath home with den/office and swimming pool on Gray Fox Drive was being offered at $325,000.

5 years ago

In June 2013, Canyon Lake City Council voted to delay the decision regarding the closure of Fire Station 60 until the November elections. The vote passed five to one, with Councilman Tim Brown being the opposing vote. The city council was considering putting a public safety tax measure on the November ballot in order to keep the station open. Councilman Brown stated, “The city will have to dip into reserves $15,000 per week to keep the station open while waiting for an election in November.”

Canyon Lake residents were invited to view the city’s proposed 2013/2014 fiscal year budget. Interim City Manager Richard Rowe reported the city’s anticipated general fund balance on June 30, 2013, was $3,180,700 and the proposed general fund expenditures for the year were $3,961,857, making it necessary to use $781,157 from the city’s reserve fund to balance the budget.

The Canyon Lake Lioness Club voted for their final cash donations for the 2102-2013 years. Vice President of Finance Laverne Cann announced $8,430 had been donated to various charities and organizations including H.O.P.E. food bank in Lake Elsinore, victims of Hurricane Sandy, Guide Dogs of the Desert and Ronald McDonald House, to name a few.

The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Board approved a budget with an increase to the average customer of six percent or approximately $6.93 per month. The increase was due to rising costs of importing water across the region.