'I need some help': Woman concerned about giant snow pile citing flooding concerns
A Winnipeg woman is calling on the city to do something about a giant snow pile near her yard, which she says floods her backyard and home in the spring.
Charlene Dale lives in the community of Crestview and said every year a snow pile gets pushed up against her neighbour's chain-link fence. The snow comes from the two hockey rinks at the Assiniboia West Community Club adjacent to her home.
"It melts, creates a puddle on the other side of this mountain, which then reaches into the yard behind me, then flows into my yard because my yard is lower than this property, which is the city's property and it floods my house," said Dale, noting the water usually flows through her windows.
In past years, she said the snow pile gets to around 15 feet, stretches 100 feet each way, and is about 20 feet wide.
She said there has been several instances over the years where water has pooled in her backyard, noting last winter was the worst, when Winnipeg had one the snowiest winters on record.
"We were pumping out with three sump pumps, running 24 hours a day. We had to set alarms on our phone to get up in the middle of the night to make sure that the pumps were still working."
As a result of the snow, she said for a month every year she is impacted physically due to a lack of sleep and financially because the pumps are continuously running.
Courtney Czezowski, the volunteer president of the Assiniboia West Recreation Association, said there aren't a lot of options for where the snow can go.
"We do not own the fields, we do not own the park, that is not our space. We are working with our partners to solve this (problem)," said Czezowski.
She added the snow also can't go between the buildings at the community centre because it would present a fire hazard.
For Dale, all she wants in the short term is for the snow to be moved elsewhere to protect her property, a plan that Coun. Shawn Dobson agrees with.
"I don't believe we should be piling the snow there. I think we should find another solution that does not harm the residents adjacent to this community club," said Dobson.
For the rest of the winter, Dobson thinks the snow should be moved to the parking lot of the community centre on the north side of the property, and then a long-term solution can be discussed in the spring and summer.
"The long-term solution would be perhaps working with the St. James-Assiniboia School Division and use some of their green space for snow storage in the winter."
After speaking with CTV News Winnipeg, Dobson followed up and said he spoke with the school division and it agreed to let the community centre use some of the school space for the snow.
The community centre is next door to Crestview School.
Whatever the solution ends up being, all Dale wants is for the snow pile to disappear.
"This has been going on for a decade. Please, I need some help. I can't do this anymore. I love my house, I love my community. I do not like the snow hill," said Dale.
- With files from CTV News' Michelle Gerwing
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.