August 25 Weekly Review

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Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Vol. 44, No. 34

$1 includes GST

YOUR LOCAL PAPER

Viking Council tables discussion on Golf Course's use of town reservoir water Patricia Harcourt Editor

Town of Viking CAO Don McLeod is questioning the use of town reservoir water by the local golf club. In a letter to the Viking Golf Club, he said: “The town will no longer subsidize the golf course for their demand for water. It is up to the greenskeepers to utilize the water you have available. “If the golf club wants water from the town reservoir to water the fairways,” he said, “there will be a charge the same as every other bulk water user.” In his request to Viking Council Aug. 16, McLeod said: “There is no agreement in place but more of an understanding. The town foreman does not recall there ever being a document.” In his report to council, McLeod stated that the golf club has onsite water storage but the easterly gate was opened and water was lost. The gate has since been closed and locked but the club still needed water to keep the greens from drying up.

“This year the golf club has been watering the fairways because of the dry weather,” stated McLeod, who was not at the council meeting to explain the file. “The golf club currently has no idea how much water they go through in a day watering both the greens and the fairways.” McLeod wanted a metre installed to measure the amount of water used in this manner. “I have written a letter to the golf club stating that they do not have an unlimited supply of water from the town,” he stated. The CAO and town foreman have since met with the club president and head maintenance person, and is now looking for a decision from council on the matter. He asked that council direct administration to negotiate with the golf club for an agreement to allow water to be released to the golf club. Council was also asked to determine what per metre charge the club would pay for water and the amount of water the golf club would be

allowed. “This is not potable water but council must realize there is a cost to bring the water to town,” McLeod stated. The reservoir water is located 12 miles south of Viking and McLeod said the cost to pump water to town over a two week period this year was $10,000. In his letter to the golf club, McLeod stated: “I wish to bring to your attention that

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you do not have an unlimited supply of water from the town reservoir,” adding he was aware of the informal agreement for the club to access reservoir water “to keep the greens watered in case of a drought.” But he did not consider watering the fairways twice a week as part of what he called use that is currently being allowed “in an emergency situation only,” adding: “This

water was never meant to keep the fairways watered during a prolonged heat spell.” At the end of the open meeting, council went into closed session on a legal issue, then returned without a motion being made on the issue discussed. The discussion on the golf course issue was tabled until the September meeting of council.

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August 25 Weekly Review by Caribou Publishing - Issuu