WESTLOCK – A draft policy aimed at providing clear guidelines for the installation, use, and maintenance of outdoor ice surfaces in the county was presented to Westlock County council.
The proposed Neighbourhood Ice Surfaces Policy was presented by Adrienne Finnegan, Community Services Coordinator, during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 14.
“I do think that we should implement a lot of what you suggested,” said Coun. Sherri Provencal.
Deputy Reeve Ray Marquette raised a question if the policy would also apply to the rink in Dapp, which is located on school property and not county land.
Finnegan said administration is referring to the Pickardville rink in this particular case, which is on Pembina Hills School Division property, and added that it would also apply to both Dapp and Vimy rinks on Pembina property.
Reeve Christine Wiese asked how the waiver system would work during busy times, such as the Christmas holidays.
“Is it one household or per person,” asked Wiese. “How is that going to work. Are they available on site and online to quickly fill out?”
Finnegan said every individual who enters the ice surface has to sign a waiver, which is on the County’s website. A QR code is posted at the rink, which links to the waiver for completion.
This is a way for the county to support the hamlets, said Chief Administrative Officer Tony Kulbisky.
“This is us trying to support community organizations who are trying to provide a recreational amenity in their community. When they wanted to put an ice surface on county-owned lands, we had no choice but to make sure these arrangements were put in place not only for the protection of the county but also for the protection of community organizations that are running these facilities.
“If you look back at your strategic plan you talk about providing more support to your hamlets and this is one way for us to do that, supporting an organization that wants to provide an opportunity for people living in Picardkville and which now in policy form can apply to every area in the county that wants to look at the same thing.”
Council deferred the item to its regular meeting on Jan. 28.
