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
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.