ads@weeklyreview.ca
YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 17
COVID Activity 2nd Section INSIDE!
$1 includes GST
Lake created by run-o at solar panel site
The large amount of spring run-off has created a temporary lake at the solar panel site east of Viking, preventing further work for the time being. There is so much water in the ditches it is running over the road where they meet going east and north. The weather has finally warmed up to allow for rapid spring melt to take place in recent days.
Water at solar panel site delays transformer pad and fence installations Patricia Harcourt Editor
A company's failure to put in the pad for a transformer at the Town of Viking's solar project before spring breakup means further delays while the town waits for a large body of water onsite to dry up. This was what Viking Council heard at the regular meeting held via teleconference on April 20. "It's not good news," commented Mayor Jason Ritchie. Councillor Dana Ewashko presented pictures of the site, pointing out "that lake you see there" is where the transformer pad needs to be placed. Ewashko said the large body of water this spring "is proof we have to build a road there for maintenance (to use).
"It was good use of the land because you can see we can't build anything else there," he said, of the solar panels project. He noted that "the road must be a grade (road) so it doesn't go under the water" in the spring, and that the town may have to build a berm to keep water away from the site in future. But he blamed Fortis for being at least "a week too late getting that transformer (put) in," before the snow melted into the temporary lake. Ritchie confirmed that Fortis was behind in its operations. "It was supposed to be installed prior to spring thaw‌It's on them that it's not built." Ewashko and Public Works Director Kevin O'Neill met with Fortis officials confirming there would have to be a delay on the
project, amid fears that water concerns might compromise a transformer pad. O'Neill said the work can be completed once the water levels drop, and agreed with Ewashko about the need to put in a road. He expected the water to "back off" in about a week or so. Council also agreed to accept a bid from DH Fencing on a chain link fence to be built around the solar field. O'Neill said there "is too much water to put in the fences at this time." The town will have to put in the pilings, he said, noting: "We can't turn on and release the power until the fence is up." When questioned, he said: "Obviously, we know we have to build a fence to get the project started."
However, Councillor Clint Nearing asked: "Why didn't you know about it before," noting: "We could have built one long before for cheaper." O'Neill replied that the town had been of the understanding that "Dandelion was looking after it," referring to the company that installed the solar panels. Ritchie pointed out that the town was already saving on having the solar project, which could already pay for half of the fence. "We have to go ahead with it but we can't begin producing the power until the fence is up," said O'Neill. The total quote was $50,244 for the 6 ft. chain link, strand barb wire top and vibrated post chain link fence, and $1,150 for the 24 ft. double swing gate.