Parking issues on Centennial Drive

Times Reporter

 

Council gave first and second reading to a traffic bylaw amendment to install ‘No Parking’ signs along Centennial Drive. Councillor Bob Sobol said when the issue arose he though it was to prevent large trucks from parking on Centennial Drive.

“That’s not what this bylaw does,” said Sobol.

“This prevents all parking on Centennial Drive. I’m wondering why we have gone to that extent on Centennial Drive, why are we stopping all parking on that road when we could have just bought this into a no parking for large trucks amendment.”

Mayor Steve Grajczyk wonders why they would want to allow cars on there. Sobol said there are many roads that are four lanes that are allowed parking. The road is already a declared truck route and Councillor Earl Best said for safety reasons vehicles already shouldn’t be allowed to park on the route.  

“I think this is overkill and I think we’re stepping beyond what the purpose of this was all about,” said Sobol who opposed the motion. 

The bylaw will be brought back at the next council meeting. 

 

Arena in need of chiller 

The Family Centre chiller, which has been in place since 2009, is no longer operational, and is in need of replacement. Replacing the chiller has become an urgent matter because without it there will be no ice surface at the arena. Last year $41,000 was spent on the chiller for repairs. 

“Now the chiller is completely down. There is no ice at the Family Centre, there will be no ice at the Family Centre until the very end of August, first of September,” said Chief Administrative Officer Dwight Stanford. 

Stanford said it is difficult on all of the groups that rely on the facility, but there is no choice but to replace it. 

Carmichaels at $108,186.35 came in a little cheaper of the two quotes obtained.  

Stanford staff at the Family Centre will be helping Carmichaels get everything cleaned up and ready so that when the chiller arrives it can be put into place and hooked up.  

“Carmichaels is saying the chiller should be here about the 15th of August,” said Stanford. 

Then it will take a few days to get everything hooked up and about another week to get the ice in. Council approved the request for replacement of the chiller, with the funds to be drawn from financial stabilization. 

 

RCMP annual report 

Strathmore RCMP Staff Sgt. Larry Marzinzik presented his annual report to council. Traffic enforcement numbers and charges have gone up by 91 per cent, with a total of over 1,400. He said charges are just one indicator on how much the members are on the road, and that the members have made a phenomenal effort to be out there. There were no fatal accidents in town last year, though non-fatal accidents did increase by 35 per cent.

Reported drug occurrences rose by 32 per cent, actual totals was 24 per cent and charges were up by 18 per cent. Marzinzik said it is due to the RCMP gaining more intelligence in the community. Marzinzik said he is not concerned, stating he and the members have it all well in hand. He did admit when prompted by council that there are a few areas in town that are watched a little more than others.

 

Visiting fellow political leaders

Jason Hale attended the June 20 council meeting to meet with council and to outline how things have been going since he was elected. Hale had also been at the June 19 Wheatland County Council meeting.