The ongoing water quality problems at Parlee Beach Provincial Park have resulted in a record breaking season at Aboiteau Beach in Cap-Pele, New Brunswick.
Aboiteau Beach has seen more visitors on the beach and in the nearby shops than ever.
Locals and tourists have been flocking to the usually quiet stretch of sand just a short drive from the more popular Parlee Beach.
“In the month of July, when we were mid in the month, we had doubled the previous year for the month of July,” says local event organizer, Justin LeBlanc.
Aboiteau beach is located between Parlee and Murray Beach, both of which have been dealing with water quality problems resulting in beach closures this season.
Water samples are taken at Aboiteau Beach every Monday and sent to Fredericton. Results come back two days later on Wednesdays and there hasn’t been a closure at Aboiteau Beach this season.
The water samples are taken from five spots along the beach.
“This year we have had all positive results for our tests and it definitely has drawn a lot of attention on us,” says LeBlanc.
LeBlanc, who is from the village of Cap-Pele, says he thinks there are a lot reasons Aboiteau is testing clean while its neighbours haven’t.
“There's a lot of factors that can definitely contribute it could be the numbers of swimmers, the boat traffic and a lot of factors have to be taken into consideration,” he says.
The large increase to the number of visitors to Aboiteau Beach is spilling over into the community.
Cathy Goodwin runs a campground next to Aboiteau Beach and says business is so good they've had to turn people away all summer.
“As far as camping I find we've had people coming earlier and staying later, our bookings show that in the computer,” says Goodwin.
Both Parlee and Murray beaches were open for swimming Friday.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis.
