Skating on retention ponds could remain banned in Winnipeg: report
Hockey games and skating could remain prohibited on Winnipeg’s retention ponds.
A new report recommends the city not allow people to use the ponds in the winter for recreational purposes.
While geese take over the ponds in the summer, people flocked to them last winter as rinks and arenas were closed during the pandemic’s second wave.
But a bylaw prohibits people from using the ponds.
After months of study, a new report is backing that bylaw, recommending the city not allow recreational activities on the drainage basins.
The report says safety is a significant factor adding ice thickness on these ponds is questionable because of salt runoff and water flowing underneath, which transports heat.
The city’s water and waste committee chair, Councillor Brian Mayes, agrees with the report written by city staff.
“I think you have to go with what the staff is saying, which is no,” said Mayes. “Given the nature of water that flows in there in the winter, no these are not safe for use.”
Councillor Markus Chambers raised safety concerns last winter as he has large retention ponds in his ward.
“It doesn’t take too long for something dangerous to happen,” said Chambers.
However, he wants to know if there is a way for the city to monitor ice thickness in the coldest months to make them safe for use.
“Under the proper conditions I think this could be a great resource to bring communities together,” said Chambers.
Mayes points out dedicating staff to check the ponds would require funding.
“I think once you get started on the ponds you’d also have to be looking at the Seine River and other waterways,” said Mayes.
Waverley West Councillor Janice Lukes says the city could handpick two or three retention ponds to monitor for use to cut down on potential costs.
“Maybe the cost of monitoring the ponds for safety is lower than the cost of building three pleasure rinks,” said Lukes.
The report says a check of other Canadian cities shows only Saskatoon permits this on selected ponds.
The recommendation will be considered at next week’s water and waste committee meeting.
A full copy of the report can be found online.
- With files from CTV’s Kayla Rosen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.