Lakedale Resort has been a summer-time swimming hole for islanders for years but overcrowding and disrespectful behavior by some locals has changed that.

“We ran into challenges with guests paying full price and then being upset with behaviors that were going on,” said Karl Bruno, Lakedale Resort general manager.

Last year Lakedale changed their policy from selling $10 daily swimming passes to island residents to allowing the sale of only 12 summer long family passes. The price jumped from $55 for the unlimited summer passes of previous years to $150 per pass causing some locals to question Lakedale’s motives. “It’s not about new owners. It’s pretty simple really, it comes down to respect,” said Bruno.

Profanity, loss of equipment, disrespect of other people’s property and groups of unsupervised teens began causing complaints by guests. “Kids were losing beach toys to teenagers, damage was done over the years, not respecting other people’s space; these were all problems,” said Bruno.

Past summers have seen at least 100 swimmers per day using the lake and overcrowding also began to take it’s toll on other guests who pay upwards of $195 for a double family campsite and expect a high quality experience. “We’re really just doing everything we can to ensure the success of Lakedale and it’s future,” said Bruno.

The 12 families who were lucky enough to purchase one of last year’s sought after summer passes were very respectful, pleasant guests, according to Bruno. “Hopefully this year will work out as well as last year,” said Bruno “If it does we will continue in this same respect. If it doesn’t we may be forced not to continue at all.”

“It’s really important that people understand we’re only trying to do the best thing for all guests,” said Bruno “Even if you’re here as a local I want you to have an amazing time.”