We certainly didn't forget about COVID-19 and the repercussions we've all been dealing with for nearly 10 months now. It is, by far, the biggest news story of the year, and a Top 10 list giving an overview of just the COVID-related stories we've covered this year could very easily be created. We decided to pick out 10 other stories that impacted the Athabasca region in 2020 though, because life goes on, for better or worse, even during a viral pandemic.
10. River flooding
The Athabasca River spilled its banks this summer, with the seventh highest water levels ever recorded, but the damage was kept to a minimum.
The July 5 flooding came at the end of a few weeks of rain and the last of spring run-off, the seventh highest on record with 1944, 1954, 1971, 1980, 1986, and 2011, according to Water Survey of Canada measurements, which started in 1913.
In 1954, when the waters reached their highest to date – 7.94 metres above normal – the Athabasca Echo newspaper reported on the flood.
The flood of 2020 measured 6.2 metres above normal, did not cause as much concern for the town itself CAO Rachel Ramey noted July 9.
“Not much you can do when these floods happen. I think it was evident, by what everyone saw, how we were affected. We will have to go in and clean up Rotary Trail again, but the ground is now saturated and too soft for us to get equipment in,” she said.
She added her main worry was reports of youth jumping into the Tawatinaw River, from the overpass above.
Jamie Giberson, the manager for the Aspen Regional Water Services Commission, said that there was some flooding in the old water treatment plant that will limit the ability to draw water from the river for treatment for municipal consumption.
When the basement floods Giberson said it “It basically flows by gravity into a big hole in the ground – essentially the well – and then out of that we pump that up the hill to the water plants and we have a storage pond out back and then we draw from that storage pond and treat the water for municipal water,” he said.
Giberson added the storage pond would last about two weeks so there is no need to worry about a shortage of water, even with a flood.
https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/athabasca-news/deluges-from-days-passed-2556293
9. Muskeg Creek trails
After June flooding wiped out the north bridge on the 17.6 km Muskeg Creek Trail system and concern from local residents, Geoff Loken started a Facebook group Aug. 10 that went viral.
The ‘Friends of Muskeg Creek – Save our Trails’ group grew to an astonishing 300 people in three days with many sharing photos and stories of their time on the trail system and expressing concern that the north bridge has not been repaired or replaced since it partially collapsed.
“I didn't really realize how much other people cared until I created that Facebook group and we had some 300 people in three days sign up and I saw their testimonies and really realized how much everybody else loved them too,” Loken said.
It had first been brought up at the July 14 Town of Athabasca council meeting when outside services foreman Warren Zyla informed council the north bridge had been damaged by flooding that caused soil movement and erosion and costs had been researched for a bridge that would allow staff access with service vehicles to help maintain the trails.
At the Sept. 1 council meeting Powell asked the council to form a small committee to meet with four members of the group so both sides can hear concerns and hopefully come up with ideas to replace the old bridges and keep the trails viable in the future.
"Regarding Muskeg Creek Trail, there are over 400 people belonging to this (Facebook) group so, they're not something that we can (wave off). And I would like to do is form an ad hoc committee with three of us to meet with this group who are thinking of becoming a society,” Powell said. “I think there's a lot of potential there for them to help us manage that area and to lead that's a long word probably, and become a society help raise funds to do things there.”
https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/athabasca-news/rescuing-the-muskeg-creek-trails-2637482
8. Take it to the Lake
The Athabasca region was under the spotlight this summer, as film crews visited the area to highlight the arts and culture scene and the recreational opportunities available for those looking for a little slice of nature, with the amenities of a nearby town.
Athabasca County’s tourism and economic development (TED) officer Luke Pantin said there was a need for new promotional materials for the county and with the Travel Alberta funding along with the group of municipalities that were already involved in the ZenSeekers campaign, it was a good fit.
“The concept of ZenSeekers really fits our region, particularly Athabasca, because Zen is the Japanese concept of Buddhism that stresses the value of meditation, a state of calmness, tranquillity and undisturbed placidness,” said Pantin. “When people come to Athabasca, what we’re trying to project is … the calmness, the connection to nature, the greatness of the land, the variety, and not just in the summer, but year-round.”
On Aug. 9, the ZenSeekers crew was in town to shoot video for a promotional package on Athabasca’s arts and culture scene, visiting the Nancy Appleby Theatre, the Athabasca Pottery Club and the Bear in Mind Vintage antique shop. The following week, several local businesses took part in their own virtual showcase, live on Facebook, to help promote the region.
Seekers Media CEO Jim Barr says it was a great experience coming to Athabasca and working with some very passionate locals to help promote the region.
“It’s a really creative place and there are lots of wide open spaces in the county, and it’s really encouraging in terms of the opportunity that folks from Edmonton or within the region have to pay a visit to Athabasca and just get outside and get involved with a community that is welcoming and has a really warm heart that people can attach themselves to and it was really encouraging, in terms of the locals, as they all extended an invitation to friends and family to come and visit them this season,” said Barr.
7. Separate school division
In the vote heard across the region, Athabasca Catholics overwhelmingly voted against starting a Catholic school in Athabasca June 24.
In a months-long process starting Sept. 10, 2019 when Lakeland Separate School Division filed a notice of intent with Alberta Education, a February census within the historical boundary of Athabasca School District #839 and culminating with the vote after an online open meeting, the decision came down to 131 votes against and 63 for.
For Aspen View Supt. Neil O’Shea and chair Candy Nikipelo it supported their motto of ‘Stronger Together.’
“It was never about religion. It was just the fracturing of resources – the education monies – Alberta only has a finite amount. That to me, that was key,” Nikipelo said the day after the vote.
And because 67.53 per cent voted against it, those supporting the separate school will have to wait two years before trying again under Section 109 of the Education Act.
Nikipelo added that she is happy the whole process is over so Aspen View can focus on what education may look like for the coming school year.
“We have to move on to looking forward to the fall and making the best schools that we can. We have so much happening in the school division. This was just the extra stressor and work for everybody involved,” she said.
https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/local-news/voters-say-no-to-separate-school-in-athabasca-2517560
6. Old Man Winter Brewhouse
A pandemic may slow Dennis MacNeil’s plans for a brew house along the shore of the Athabasca River in the old Home Hardware building, but it will not stop him.
In a presentation initially made to the Riverfront Design Committee who recommended council approve the permits, MacNeil told council the plan is to take down the east end of the building creating a patio area and renovating inside and out to accommodate the brewing equipment, a sales area as well as indoor seating.
“Imagine in the summertime, just sitting out on the patio, watching the river go and having a nice cold one,” MacNeil said. “And it's not a Coors Light; it's an IPA (India Pale Ale) or it's a double (brew), triple (brew) or whatever … but it’s locally brewed.”
Naming the products will centre around historical connections to the Athabasca region, MacNeil explained.
"The branding would be based on historical events, characters, street names, and so on,” he said. "Again, it's about building this relationship and the relationship not just with patrons, but with the town itself."
MacNeil said he plans to have the Old Man Winter Brewhouse open for business by October 2021.
https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/athabasca-news/brewhouse-on-tap-for-river-front-2781570
