What ’s Happening, Wetaskiwin 2018 Fall/Winter City of Wetaskiwin Newsletter
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Photo courtesy of Sarmiati Stabner
In this Issue Community Services p. 3 Meet the department head p. 3 Fitness classes at the Manluk Centre p. 4 Programs & group bookings at the Manluk Centre p. 5 Private swimming lessons at the Manluk Centre Community Development p. 6 New website launch; Small business matching grants; 2019 Program Guide deadlines; Business Breakfast Club; WWIN p. 7 The inaugural ‘Taste of Wetaskiwin’ event; Winter Warm Up Infrastructure & Operations p. 8 Surface drainage reminder; Transportation & Parks update; Engineering; Asset Management p. 9 Closed Circuit TV Inspections p. 10 Rain barrels & composter winter preparation; Fall Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) round-up dates; Spring HHW Round-Up Figures Archives & Legislative Services p. 11 Presenting to City Council; Discover local history at the Archives Protective Services p. 12 Extrication tools; Become a volunteer firefighter; City contact information
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Community Services Department Meet the Department Head Kevin Lucas is the Director of Community Services with the City of Wetaskiwin. The Community Services department is comprised of recreation (including aquatics), facilities, FCSS, and even Wetaskiwin Transit.
Contact Us
Community Services The Manluk Centre: 780.361.4443 Recreation enquiries: 780.361.4445 FCSS: 780.361.4425 Wetaskiwin Transit: 780.312.7433
Find out more about Community Services online at www.wetaskiwin.ca
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Community Services Department School & Group Bookings Available at the Manluk Centre School Bookings If you’re thinking of booking a school visit to the Manluk Centre: Wetaskiwin Regional Aquatics & Fitness, please give the staff as much notice as possible. Every year the Manluk Centre sends out packages to local schools requesting their preferences for swim/lesson times, and then they try to plan the year as best as they can using this information. In addition, the Manluk Centre will now provide a schedule of “available for school” rental times. You can reference this to see what dates/times are available to book, and then call in to reserve your school visit.
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Check out all of our super exciting programs at manlukcentre.ca/register
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Group Bookings As a community facility, the Manluk Centre is happy to offer group rates! Please note that a group booking requires a minimum of 20 people, and must be made at least 72 hours in advance (you must pre-pay to receive the discount). Phone 780.361.4443 during regular business hours Monday through Friday to book or for more information. Additional Information for Group Bookings Children under the age of 8 must be within arm’s reach of someone at least 14 years old at all times.
Programs include: 3-in-1 P.L.A.Y. Wetaskiwin DANCEPL3Y PD Day Camps Home Alone Safely Babysitter’s Course
Kayaking Lessons Kayaking Lessons Kayaking Lessons
Private Swimming Private Swimming Private Swimming Lessons Lessons Lessons
Adult swimmers can work on skills in the Red Cross Swim Basics; swimmers Adult can work oninskills in in the Redworkout CrossBasics; Swim whether youswimmers are can looking foron advancements your or a Basics; Adult work skills the Red Cross Swim whether are looking forthis advancements inworkout your workout or a little extra help with your stroke, one-on-one whether you areyou looking for advancements in yourexperience orcan a be little extra help withstroke, your stroke, this one-on-one experience tailored to help fit your needs. little extra with your this one-on-one experience can becan be tailored to fitneeds. your needs. tailored to fit your Children can work on skills in the appropriate Red Cross Swim Kids or Preschool Program. This one-on-one experience can be adapted to or a Kids or Children canon work oninskills in the appropriate Red CrossKids Swim Children can work skills the appropriate Red Cross Swim child’s individual abilities and goals. Preschool Program. This one-on-one experience can be adapted Preschool Program. This one-on-one experience can be adapted to a to a individual and goals. child’s child’s individual abilitiesabilities and goals. Mermaid swim classes teach swimmers how to safely swim with a mermaid tail and also how to swimmers care their If you like a with a Mermaid swim classes teachfor swimmers to would safelywith swim Mermaid swim classes teach howtail. tohow safely swim experience it’s like to to swim atheir mermaid today! mermaid and also how toforcare fortail. their tail.up If you would mermaid tailwhat andtail also how carelike Ifsign you would like like experience what it’s like to swim like a mermaid sign up experience what it’s like to swim like a mermaid sign up today!today! This introductory Kayaking lesson will introduce you to the skills and knowledge necessary to Kayaking safely start kayaking. You willtolearn basic introductory This introductory lesson will introduce you theand skills and This Kayaking lesson will introduce you the to skills paddling skills, including forward and reverse paddling. knowledge necessary to safely start kayaking. You will learn knowledge necessary to safely start kayaking. You will learn basic basic paddling skills, including forward and reverse paddling. paddling skills, including forward and reverse paddling.
For more information, please contact: For more information, please contact: For more information, please contact: Manluk Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre Manluk Regional Aquatic & Fitness Manluk Regional Aquatic &AB Fitness CentreCentre 4514-50 Ave, Wetaskiwin,
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Kids Swimming Kids Swimming KidsLessons Swimming Lessons Lessons
Mermaid Tail Mermaid Mermaid Tail Tail Lessons Lessons Lessons
4514-50 Ave, Wetaskiwin, 4514-50 Ave, Wetaskiwin, AB AB (780) 361-4444 (780) 361-4444 (780) 361-4444 twitter.com/wetaskiwincity
Adult Lessons Lessons AdultAdult Lessons
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Community Development Department New Website Launches Sept. 24
Business Breakfast Club
That’s right! The City of Wetaskiwin website will soon have a new look! We’re updating our web platform to be mobile responsive, which required the layout of the website to change as well.
Save the Date! The next Business Breakfast Club meeting will be held at 7:30 am on October 12, 2018. The location will be advertised closer to the event date. Please keep checking our Facebook Page for details (www.facebook.com/wetaskiwin). This is a great opportunity to meet other local business owners and find out more about how the City is working for business.
The new and improved website launches Sept 24, 2018. Explore the new site and let us know what you think!
Small Business Matching Grants The City of Wetaskiwin still has three small business matching grants open for application: Equipment & Technology Marketing Professional Development Call 780.361.4417 or visit us at wetaskiwin.ca/businessgrants to find out more.
2019 Program Guide Dates Advertise your educational, recreational, or personal wellness program in the Wetaskiwin Program Guide! Visit wetaskiwin.ca/programguide for dull details. Spring/Summer 2019 (Programs running April to August) Deadline to Submit: January 20, 2019 Parade of Programs: March 13, 2019 Fall/Winter 2019 (Programs running September to March) Deadline to Submit: July 10, 2019 Parade of Programs: September 4, 2019
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Wetaskiwin Women in Networking The Wetaskiwin Women in Networking (WWIN) group is still meeting on a monthly basis! Are you a woman in a business or leadership position? Join us for a networking session over lunch and connect with other female entrepreneurs! 2018 Meeting Dates & Locations: October 10 @ 11:30 am: Rockabilly Diner November 14 @ 11:30 am: Beans Coffee & Bistro December 12 @ 11:30 am: Runway Cafe For more information please phone 780.361.4417 or visit the WWIN Facebook Page.
When Is It? The inaugural Taste of Wetaskiwin event takes place September 28, 2018 from 7 pm until 10 pm at the Memorial Arts Centre (5206 - 50 St.). Please note this is an 18+ only event. Held from September 28 to 30 this year, Alberta Culture Days is an opportunity to discover, experience, and celebrate arts and culture through local events and activities throughout the province. To celebrate, the City of Wetaskiwin has partnered with the Wetaskiwin & District Heritage Museum to bring you a Taste of Wetaskiwin!
Event details are available at www.wetaskiwin.ca. To find out more about Alberta Culture Days please visit www.alberta.ca/alberta-culture-days.aspx
What Is It? Taste of Wetaskiwin showcases our amazing array of local fare and brews in bite-sized portions! Tickets are $2 per portion (food and drinks), and can be puchased in advance through Eventbrite or at the door.
3rd Annual Wetaskiwin Winter Warm-Up
November 22-25, 2018 D o n ’ t m i s s y o u r f av o u r i t e Winter Warm-Up activities!
November 22 - 25, 2018 www.wetaskiwinCEC.com Facebook @WetaskiwinCEC “Warm Up” to winter with a family-fun celebration as our community joins together to enjoy the spirit of the season!
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G a r l a n d & G ra c e A n n u a l C h r i s t ma s Craft Sale
Sleigh Rides
Ice Sculpture Carving Demonstration
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Infrastructure & Operations Department Surface Drainage Reminder
Asset Management
City Council passed a surface drainage bylaw in 2017 to ensure that surface drainage does not adversely impact adjacent buildings, assets such as sidewalks, overwhelm the storm water system and mitigate risk. In Wetaskiwin, downspouts must end at least 2 metres from the back edge of the sidewalk (closest to your property). Please make sure the water is not directed onto your neighbour’s property.
Did you know? The City received $50,000 in grant funding through FCM (the Federation of Canadian Municipalities) to assist in the development of an Asset Management Policy with climate adaptation in mind!
Please phone Development at 780.361.4432 with any questions pertaining to surface drainage.
Transportation & Parks Update Line painting has been completed for 2018. The City purchased a new ride-on line painter this year, and was able to paint the long lines in-house to save money. Five more RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon) have been installed at major crosswalks to ensure pedestrian safety. Two LED light stop signs have also been installed at 47 St. & 47 Ave due to numerous close calls between pedestians and vehicles.
As a result of the funding, the City was able to work with Kim Fowler, a renowned sustainability planning and integration specialist, to develop an asset management policy that can adapt to our changing climate. Since working with FCM, City Council has approved the Asset Management Policy and is working on the collection of asset information through a variety of means including CCTV (Closed Circuit Television), Bridge\Culvert Inspections, engineering investigation, and in-house data collection.
Engineering Preliminary engineering is underway on several high priority projects for future construction.
Fall residential sweeping will begin soon to pick up the fallen leaves before the snow arrives.
McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd is working on the following project on behalf of the City: Garden Meadows Drive redevelopment Garnet Crescent redevelopment Parkview Drive redevelopment 54 Street & 37 Avenue redevelopment
A new ball field has been constructed east of Norm Brown field (4513 - 50 Avenue).
Invistec Consulting Ltd is working on the 62nd Street redevelopment on behalf of the City.
Six outdoor rinks will be available for public use again this winter, and can be found at the Wetaskiwin Recreation Grounds, Kinsmen Park, Montgomery Park, By-the-Lake Park, Garden Meadows Park, and the East Fire Hall (use at your own risk; helmets are strongly suggested).
Redevelopment of the following will also be occurring: 49 Avenue between 53 Street & 52 Street 48 Street from 56 Avenue to 50 Avenue
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Keep checking www.wetaskiwin.ca for project updates.
Closed Circuit T V Inspections The Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) inspections have been done on approximately 6,550 metres of sanitary storm lines and 2,790 metres of storm lines this year. This information is incredibly valuable when reviewing the condition and functionality of sanitary and storm sewers. The following images show the sanitary sewer mains in a variety of conditions:
In several areas throughout the City foreign material was found in the sanitary and storm lines during the CCTV process. To avoid sewer backups, please remember only the three P’s are all that should ever flush: Pee, Poo and Paper (toilet). As well, be wary of products claiming to be flushable. Items such as wipes —even though they claim to be flushable—act like nets and catch other solids (such as hair) and slowly build up, eventually clogging your drains. Please dispose of them in the garbage; not down the drain. To avoid clogs, never flush the following items: Feminine hygiene products Small toys Hair Cleaning wipes or rags Fats, oils or greases Condoms or wrappers Cotton balls or swabs Prescription medications Cigarette butts Band-aids Dental floss Disposable diapers
Good condition
A clog in your sewer system may result in a back-up. If that happens, you could face thousands of dollars in repairs and severe damage to your property. In 2016, the average repair cost for Albertan homeowners after a sewer backup was $21,852 (source: www.theclog.ca).
Greasy
Bridge Inspection Maintenance Program
Poor condition
The City contracted the Geometrix Group to do a thorough examination of all the bridges and culverts in the City. Their final report will give the condition of each asset, projected replacement date, and estimated replaced cost.
Collapsed BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ALBERTA CAPITAL REGION WASTEWATER COMMISSION
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Infrastructure & Operations Department Rain Barrels & Composter Winter Preparation Rain Barrels Rain barrels are an excellent way to capture rain to use for watering your garden or lawn. Here are some tips on how to store your rain barrel properly to prevent it from cracking during the winter months: Drain the rain barrel. Store it in a shed or garage, preferably upside down. If you are unable to store the rain barrel inside, keep it upside down to avoid water refilling the barrel. This storage method is not guaranteed to prevent cracking, so indoors is best! Composter Winter Preparation Composting takes longer in the winter months due to the colder temperatures. Here are a few tips to help you keep composting over the winter: Start with an empty bin Empty your composter before the snow falls to give you lots of room for your organics over the winter. Move your main composter Move your composter closer to the house, if possible. Nobody likes trudging through the snow to dump kitchen waste in the composter. Use a kitchen composter Kitchen composters are a great way to reduce your trips out to your main composter. Do not add water Adding water during the winter months will bring the temperature down and may cause freezing. The green material you add to your composter should have enough water in it already. Do not mix Mixing it will allow any heat produced to escape.
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Fall Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up Dates Every year, the City of Wetaskiwin holds two HHW (Household Hazardous Waste) Round-Ups; one in the Spring, and one in the Fall. The Fall HHW Round-Up will run from September 29 to October 8, 2018. Please bring all your unwanted computers, printers, TVs, leftover paint/containers, and any other household hazardous waste to the Recycling Centre (5707 - 51 Street) during this time. For more information about this initiative, please visit www.wetaskiwin.ca/roundup or call 780.361.4427.
Spring Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up a Success The Spring 2018 HHW Round-Up was a success, with the following quantities of items being brought in: 105 electronics 429 spray paint cans 2,656 kg of paint cans For more information about this initiative, please visit www.wetaskiwin.ca/roundup or call 780.361.4427.
Legislative Services & Archives Want to present to Council? Here’s what you need to know.
Curious about Wetaskiwin’s history? Visit the Archives!
Did you know? If you wish to speak at a Council meeing, you must make an appointment ahead of time.
Have you ever wondered what life was like in the early years of Wetaskiwin’s history? Visit the City of Wetaskiwin Archives and find out! The Archives contains a wealth of historic information regarding the people who lived and worked here, businesses that came and went, school and church activities, as well as historic buildings and homes. Call, email, or visit us to find out more!
Requests for an appointment to make a presentation to City Council must be received by the City Manager’s office at least 14 days prior to the Council meeting date. Requests must also: clearly identify the reason for the appointment list the primary contact for your organization and specify their contact information Presentations that promote commercial products or services will not be accepted. The amount of time allocated for delegations is at the sole discretion of the Chair. Criteria for Written Submissions Any communication intended for Council must be sent to the City Manager’s office in writing and must: be legible and coherent identify the writer and their contact information be on paper or in an electronic, printable format not be libelous, impertinent or improper
City of Wetaskiwin Archives Phone: 780-361-4423 Email: archives@wetaskiwin.ca Location: Civic Building (4904 - 51 Street) *Please ring the doorbell Hours of Operation Monday: By appointment Tuesday: 9 am to 3 pm Wednesday: 9 am to 3 pm Thursday: 9 am to 3 pm Friday: By appointment Follow us on Facebook to see more historic photos at www.facebook.com/WetaskiwinArchives 78.23-33 | Man Sewing (Early 1900’s)
Details can be found at www.wetaskiwin.ca/bylaws in the Council Procedural Bylaw (1909-18). Questions can be directed to the City Clerk at 780.361.4459.
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Protective Services & General Information City of Wetaskiwin Location, Hours & Contact Info Location & Hours of Operation Wetaskiwin City Hall is located at 4705 - 50 Avenue and is open from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday (except Statutory holidays). Department Directory The City of Wetaskiwin is made up of many departments who collectively communicate and work together to ensure that Wetaskiwin residents continue to enjoy a high standard of living. You can phone each department at the number listed below (listed alphabetically):
New Extrication Tools The Wetaskiwin Fire Department is updating their extrication tools. The new ‘Jaws of Life’ tools—designed with newer vehicles in mind—will make our team of paid-on-call volunteer firefighters quicker and stronger than ever before.
Administration 780.361.4409 Archives 780.361.4423 Community Development 780.361.4417 Community Services 780.361.4444 Corporate Services 780.361.4400 Development Services 780.361.4432 Engineering 780.361.4432 Family & Community Support Services 780.361.4425 General Inquiries / Main Line 780.361.4400 Legislative Services 780.361.4459 Protective Services (Fire, Bylaw, etc.) 780.361.4429 Public Works (Parks, Utilities, Waste, etc.) 780.361.4436 Wetaskiwin Public Library 780.361.4446 Wetaskiwin Regional Airport 780.352.5858
Become a Volunteer Firefighter Do you have what it takes to be a firefighter? Find out by applying to join Wetaskiwin Fire Services as a paidon-call volunteer firefighter. Download an application form online at www.wetaskiwin.ca/fire and bring it— along with your resume—to 5940-40 Avenue in Wetaskiwin between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Mon - Fri. Call 780.361.4429 with any questions.
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Photo by Ron Asp