Residents urged: don’t take a chance, choose a safer place for outdoor skating

With the recent drop in temperature, ice has formed on stormwater management facilities throughout Strathcona County. Residents are reminded that this ice is dangerous and unsafe for public use. Instead, head out to one of Strathcona County’s many outdoor skating options; boarded rinks, snow-banked rinks and skating pathways.

While stormwater facilities may look like natural ponds, they contain moving water throughout the year, which can lead to unknown, unpredictable, and dangerous ice conditions. You cannot judge the strength of ice by appearance alone. While it may appear thick in some areas, other areas may have little to no ice, and there are generally no visible surface indications of these unsafe conditions.

Stormwater facility ice is unstable and unsafe for any activity, including walking, ice skating and hockey. Obey all posted signs, and for your safety, keep off the dangerous stormwater facility ice.

Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility. If someone falls through the ice, don’t go onto the ice to try and pull them out; you may fall in too. Call 9-1-1 for help. For more information about ice safety, contact the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories at 780-415-1755 or visit strathcona.ca/icesafety.

Don't take a chance, choose a safer place for outdoor activities. Select outdoor rinks will open December 15, and operate when temperatures are between +5 C and -20 C. Visit strathcona.ca/outdoorrinks or call 780-467-2211 for more information.

Keep off the ice video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A9tw5Rl7gM

Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595