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
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.