Imagine working your tail off in a paradise like Lake Tahoe, surrounded by pristine beaches, but not being allowed to actually enjoy them. That’s the wild reality facing employees in Incline Village, where a heated debate about beach access is brewing faster than a summer thunderstorm.

The Exclusive Beach Battle

The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) is considering a radical move: allowing local workers like dishwashers and ski instructors to access the community’s private beaches. This proposal has sparked a controversy that’s dividing the community like a hot knife through butter.

David Noble, a trustee championing the Employee Pass Program, argues it’s not just fair, it’s smart business. “To me, it’s the right thing to do,” he says. “It also serves as both a recruiting and retention tool”. Currently, employees were stripped of beach access in January 2023, with some workers even being asked to leave during their breaks.

Locals vs. Workers

Some property owners are pushing back hard, claiming the move could “put the whole beach deed at risk”. One vocal opponent, Frank Wright, dramatically warned the board that “exclusive beaches will become public” and predicted a community rebellion.

But here’s the kicker: employees only represented 1.5% of beach visits in 2022. Noble insists the access would be so minimal that “nobody will notice whether they’re there or not there”.

The proposed beach perks aren’t just about swimming, we’re talking about an outdoor pool with a waterslide, paddleboard rentals, picnic areas, and more. It’s basically a worker’s paradise that they’ve been systematically excluded from.

While the controversy rages, at least one property owner showed some solidarity, stating that “employees are the most valuable assets”. The board will now send letters to property owners to gauge support for sponsoring employees as beach guests.

Stay tuned, Tahoe, this beach battle is just getting started.