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Notes from City Hall
Snow Hauling
Please give City of Kimberley staff room to operate during snow removal. In areas where snow piles are to be hauled away, the city will post temporary āNo Parkingā signs the afternoon before snow hauling commences. Vehicles will be towed if they do not comply with the signage. City crews are working as quickly as possible to clear the streets, following the cityās Snow and Ice Management Plan.
Snow and Ice Management Plan
This plan is revised annually with incremental improvements, and is a guide to the city’s snow and ice control policies intended to advise the public, council, and city staff of when and how snow and ice will be dealt with by the Operations Department. Please visit the city website to view the plan and other important information about snow removal.
Clearing Snow and Ice
Icy sidewalks can be a hazard for everyone including seniors, children, mail carriers, meter readers, firefighters, and paramedics. As the weather warms up and then freezes again, water from melting snow can run onto cleared sidewalks. Here are a few tips to help maintain your walkways:
Warm weather during the day can make ice soft,Ā so it’s easier to chip or shovel away.- Spread sand or gravel on icy patches to make your sidewalk safer for pedestrians. Spreading sand on a sidewalk before ice forms can also makeĀ future ice easier to remove.
- Microwaving sand in a microwave-safe container and spreading it while it is still warm will make the sand embed itself into the ice, creating a gritty top layer.
- Pile snow in a place where it will not run across your sidewalk when it melts and aim your downspouts away from areas where people walk.
Frozen Water Line Prevention
If theĀ water service line to your homeĀ has ever frozen or you have noticedĀ a reduced water flow in your home during the winter, leave one tap running cold water day and night (stream should be theĀ size of a pencil). This will help to prevent your lines from freezing.Ā Since frost sinks deeper into the ground when air temperatures rise after a period of extreme cold, you will need to keep the water running 24/7 until mid-April to avoid having the lineĀ freeze.
The city encourages residents who have experienced frozen water service lines in the past to be pro-active by ensuring indoor lines are properly insulated, keeping a good snow cover over the ground above the service lines and installing a bleeder line system. For more information.
Frozen Sewer Lines
To aid in preventing frozen sewer lines, it is important to run hot water through your sewage system once per day when we are experiencing cold temperatures. If you suspect your sewer line to be freezing, fill your bathtub one quarter full of hot water then release the water to thaw the sewer line (while monitoring for possible backup in the line). Control the release of the water with the drain plug. This may need to be repeated one or two times, and possibly every day or two to ensure the line does not freeze. Performing a load or two of laundry each day using hot water will also help to reduce freezing issues.Ā Please contact a plumber if you have attempted this and nothing is draining or changing.
Public Skating
Public skating is in full swing at both the Civic Centre and the Marysville Arena. To view the new Public Skating Schedule and to keep up to date on any changes &/or cancellations to the Public Skating schedule please visit our website. If you have any questions, please call the Operations Desk at 250-427-9660.
Outdoor Rinks
The Townsite rink is weather dependent and city crews are working to have the safest ice possible. Please respect the āClosedā signage when conditions are not ideal. The Swan Avenue and DeWolfe Avenue rinks are also open for use and are being managed by neighbourhood volunteers. For more information about the outdoor rinks, please visit our website.
Free Family Swim
Come to the Aquatic Centre and enjoy a Free Family Swim on Wednesday, January 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. sponsored by Kimberley Alpine Resort and Trickle Creek Lodge. Remember, persons 18 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the water.
