Resort owner defies inspectors’ orders to close pool
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/08/2019 (1859 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Guests of Buffalo Resorts in Riding Mountain National Park during the past two summers have swam in a pool that has been repeatedly ordered closed as a health hazard.
The owner of the facility has flouted the orders of the province’s health inspectors and kept the pool open.
The health protection unit has issued nine charges, on four different inspection dates, against the resort owner, including operating a pool without a permit, operating a pool with hazardous conditions and risk of injury, and not conducting water quality tests or keeping records. After that, in bylaw court, the owner has been slapped with a total of $3,600 worth of of fines.
Closures and fines, November 2018 to August 2019
Food service establishments closed for health violations in Winnipeg:
Food service establishments closed for health violations in Winnipeg:
Genuine Restaurant (589 Ellice Ave.), July 9-11, 2019, failed to ensure mechanical dishwasher was providing enough chlorine bleach to sanitize dishes and operated with inadequate lighting.
Zaika the Indian cuisine (1650 Regent Ave.), May 27-28, 2019, prepared food under unsanitary conditions and operated with poor general sanitation.
Urban Prairie Cuisine Catering (200 River Ave.), May 10-June 3, 2019, failed to provide running water, operated without a valid permit, failed to maintain potentially hazardous food at a safe temperature.
PVG Breakfast Club (mobile), May 10-14, 2019, failed to provide adequate supply of hot water.
King’s Corner (245 King St.), May 8-19, 2019, dishwasher failed to sanitize and operator didn’t take effective measures to prevent entry and presence of rodents.
Freshii (2230 McPhillips St.), April 24, 2019, operated without hot and cold running water.
A&W (2230 McPhillips St.), April 24, 2019, operated without hot and cold running water.
Giant Eatery (594 Ellice Ave.), April 9-15, 2019, prepared food in unsanitary conditions.
Long Island Cafe (103-500 Portage Ave.), March 6-7, 2019, failed to ensure mechanical dishwasher was capable of sanitizing tableware and utensils, didn’t register before opening, and operated a food handling establishment without a permit.
Dakota Family Foods (1099 St. Mary’s Rd.), Dec. 14-15, 2018, operated without potable running water.
Wok N’Roll (836 McLeod Ave.), Nov. 14-22, 2018, failed to prevent presence of rodents and operated with poor general sanitation.
Closures outside Winnipeg:
Pho Gla Thanh (102 Church St., Emerson), April 26-May 1, 2019, unsanitary conditions.
For Fork Sakes – North Warren Inn (PTH 6, RM of Woodlands), Dec. 17, 2018 to present, mechanical dishwasher failing to sanitize and function properly and no triple sink available.
Convictions and fines imposed on Winnipeg restaurants and food service establishments between November 2018 to June 2019. Offence dates provided below:
Cathay House (1631 Regent Ave. W.), Oct. 25, 2017 – $253 fine for failing to store wiping cloths in a sanitizer solution, $348 for failing to keep the establishment clean, and $536 for failing to maintain safe internal temperature of potentially hazardous food. The health department says this restaurant has since changed hands and is now being operated by a new operator.
Aristocrat Restaurant (D-210 Tyndall Ave.), Nov. 26, 2018 – $536 for failing to maintain safe internal temperature of potentially hazardous food.
Tavern United (1824 Pembina Hwy.), June 5, 2018 – $722 fine for preparing food under unsanitary conditions.
Aaltos (1824 Pembina Hwy.), June 5, 2018 – $722 fine for preparing food under unsanitary conditions.
Little Goat Food and Drink (2615 Portage Ave.), Sept. 26, 2018 – $348 fine for failing to ensure the floor was well maintained, $348 for operating with unsafely maintained equipment, and $536 for not protecting stored food from contamination.
Crown Grocery Store (682 Sargent Ave.), Sept. 10, 2018 – $722 fine for not registering before operating.
Bento Sushi Express (13B-1485 Portage Ave.), Jan. 11, 2019 – $298 fine for operating with poor general sanitation.
Confusion Corner Bar and Grill (500 Corydon Ave.), Dec. 14, 2018 and Jan. 17, 2019 – two fines of $486 for failing to maintain safe internal temperature of potentially hazardous food on both dates.
Robin’s Donuts (2-271 Grassie Blvd.), July 3, 2018 – $346 fine for failing to ensure mechanical dishwasher was capable of sanitizing utensils and tableware.
Dim Sum Garden (885 Henderson Hwy.), Oct. 25, 2018 – $486 fine for failing to maintain safe internal temperature of potentially hazardous food.
Evolve Specialty Catering Kitchen No. 2 (94 Portland Ave.), May 6, 2019 – $672 fine for operating without a valid permit.
Pho Hoang (9-1865 Sargent Ave.), June 19, 2019 – $672 fine for operating without a permit.
A&W (2230 McPhillips St.), April 24, 2019 – $298 fine for operating with no hot or cold water.
Convictions and fines outside of Winnipeg:
Subway (23036 Hwy. 44 Lockport), Nov. 2, 2018 – $285 fine for not getting an operating permit before opening.
Butter Chicken Xpress Ltd. (Pad 38-50 Selkirk Ave., Thompson), Nov. 22, 2018 – $672 fine for failing to provide required sanitation facilities by obstructing the handwashing sink, using the handwashing sink for other purposes, and not providing hand drying towels.
Well Dressed Cakes by Brett (1575 18th St., Brandon), Sept. 4, 2018 – $672 fine for not providing handwashing facilities.
Broad Valley Colony – Joseph Wipf (Box 850 – SW 2-23-1W Arborg), June 12, 2018 – $672 fine for operating food handling establishment without a permit.
Grand Rapids Esso Cafe (Lot 28, Hwy. 6, Grand Rapids), Dec. 5, 2018 – $203 fine for employee not washing hands before returning to work.
Pita Pit (3-658 18th St., Brandon), Nov. 22, 2018 – $486 fine for not ensuring mechanical dishwasher was sanitizing satisfactorily.
The Meat Man (175 Menzie St., Oakburn), March 20, 2018 – $722 fine for failing to ensure potentially hazardous foods was from an approved source.
Lee’s Village Restaurant (248 Hamilton St., Neepawa), Feb. 12, 2019 – $486 fine for failing to maintain safe internal temperature of potentially hazardous food and $486 for failing to ensure potentially hazardous food was correctly thawed.
Chicken Chef (66 Main St., Teulon), Feb. 21, 2019 – $298 fine for operating with poor sanitation.
Butter Chicken Xpress Ltd. (Pad 38-50 Selkirk Ave., Thompson), Feb. 6, 2019 – $298 fine for operating with poor general sanitation and failing to keep the place in good repair and kept clean, and a $298 fine for using unsafely maintained utensils and equipment.
Shawarma Queen (908 Rosser Ave., Brandon), May 16, 2019 – $298 fine for operating with poor general sanitation.
Elkhorn Esso (Hwy. 1 Service Road, Elkhorn), July 13, 2018 – $486 fine for failing to ensure safe internal temperature of potentially hazardous food.
Convictions and fines for swimming pools:
Best Western Plus Brandon Inn (205 Middleton Ave., Brandon), Aug. 21, 2018 – $722 fine for failing to conduct water quality tests, $722 for operating with inadequate water recirculation or quality, and $722 for operating a pool without a permit.
Buffalo Resorts (116 Ta-Wa-Pit Dr., Wasagaming), June 28, 2018, July 12, 2018, July 16, 2018, July 30, 2018 – total $3,600 in fines. They are $400 fine for failing to register before constructing or altering a pool, $400 for failing to conduct a water quality test and show it to an inspector, $400 fine for not conducting water quality tests and not maintaining records as required, $400 for operating a pool while hazardous conditions exist, $400 for not ensuring the water and recirculation system is separated from the make-up water supply and the sewer/drainage system, $400 for operating pool without a permit, $400 for operating a pool without a permit, $400 for operating an outdoor pool with an unlocked gate when not in operation, and $400 for failing to comply with a health hazard order issued by the public health inspector.
Closures of swimming pools:
Holiday Inn Airport West (2520 Portage Ave.), Nov. 15, 2018, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Gable Arms (1590 Henderson Hwy.), Nov. 20-21, 2018, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Lakeview Hecla Resort (Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park), Dec. 4-7, 2018, operated pool and hot tub where air handling system was not capable of maintaining air quality at minimum health and safety standards.
Canalta Hotel (1061 Manitoba Ave., Selkirk), Dec. 12-13, 2018, operated a pool with inadequate water quality.
Canalta Hotel (1061 Manitoba Ave., Selkirk), Dec. 12-14, 2018, operated a hot tub with inadequate water quality.
Sandman Hotel and Suites (1750 Sargent Ave.), Dec. 24, 2018-Jan. 8, 2019, operated a pool with inadequate water quality.
YMCA (301 Vaughan St.), Jan. 7-11, 2019, failed to provide adequate water quality in a whirlpool.
Canad Inns Destination Garden City (2100 McPhillips St.), Feb. 14-15, 2019, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Eagle Ridge Pool (3100-493 Thompson Dr.), Feb. 25-March 1, 2019, failed to ensure chlorine level was within proper range.
Hilton Garden Inn (495 Sterling Lyon Pkwy.), April 10, 2019, operated a pool with inadequate water quality.
Hilton Suites (1800 Wellington Ave.), April 10, 2019, operated a swimming pool and a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Canalta Hotel (1061 Manitoba Ave.), April 17-23, 2018, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Hilton Suites (1800 Wellington Ave.), April 14-26, 2019, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Mainstay Suites (670 King Edward St.), April 14-May 13, 2019, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Fairfield Inn and Suites (1301 Ellice Ave.), May 10-21, 2019, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Aspen Grove Campground (Oak Lake, RM of Sifton), July 3-5, 2019, operated a pool with inadequate water quality, failed to conduct a water quality test, and didn’t maintain records as required.
Marjorie Park Wading Pool (245 Marjorie St.), July 4, 2019, operated a wading pool with inadequate water quality.
Kapyong Park Wading Pool (340 Amherst St.), July 9-11, 2019, operated a wading pool without a readily accessible facility telephone.
The Lake House (128 Wasagaming Dr., Wasagaming), July 10-11, 2019, operated a whirlpool with inadequate water quality.
Arrowhead Family Resort (116 Wasagaming Dr., Wasagaming), July 10-11, operated a pool with inadequate water quality.
Landing Community Centre (41 Aspen Dr., Brandon), July 19-23, 2019, operated a pool with inadequate water quality, failed to conduct water quality tests, and didn’t maintain records.
East Shore Garden (1790 Henderson Hwy.), July 22, 2019, operated a pool with inadequate water quality.
Rivergate Estates (1490 Henderson Hwy.), July 23-24, 2019, operated a pool with inadequate water quality.
Westwood Inn (Hwy. 10 N, Swan River), July 24, 2019-present, failed to ensure drains and recirculation facilities were maintained to prevent entrapment of bathers, operated a pool with inadequate water quality, failed to conduct water quality tests and didn’t maintain records.
Granite House (1100 Henderson Hwy.), Aug. 8-9, 2019, operated a pool with inadequate water quality.
Now Mike LeBlanc, veteran health inspector and manager with the health protection unit, said they are talking with provincial prosecutors to figure out what to do next.
“For pools, this is likely the most convictions and fines ever we’ve had,” LeBlanc said.
“He wanted to open for the 2018 season and we said you’re not ready and you have to make changes to the circulation system. He has ignored our advice and started operating anyway… we had a health hazard order that has been ignored. This is still something we’re looking at. He knows what he has to do.
“People shouldn’t be going into the pool.”
The owner of Buffalo Resorts did not respond to an interview request.
Meanwhile, 25 swimming pools and hot tubs were closed by health inspectors in the last nine months for violations while 11 restaurants in Winnipeg, and two in the rest of the province, were also shut down for various time periods for being found with unsafe health conditions.
As well, one other swimming pool owner was convicted and fined for offences while owners of 13 restaurants in Winnipeg and 11 in the rest of the province also faced convictions and fines.
Provincial health officials have 9,500 food establishments in the province to check.
The field inspectors check not only restaurants, grocery stores and swimming pools, but also tattooing and body-piercing parlours, mobile food carts and trucks, summer camps and festivals and farmers’ markets.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.
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