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Before heading out to skate on a Saskatoon pond, people should check for signs indicating if the ice is thick enough, Saskatoon Fire Department says.
SFD Deputy Chief Rob Hogan said crews were out doing thin ice training and checking the ice thickness this week.
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“All we found is about four inches on these ponds,” he said.
“It’s important that people stay off them until we can ensure that we have at least eight inches of ice.”
Hogan said the thin ice training is something the department does every year.
“We have a number of different pieces of equipment that we use to go out onto the ice,” he said.
“We cut a hole in the ice, we put some of our staff in an immersion suit, and our staff then practice going out with the equipment and rescuing that person.”
Hogan said on-ice rescues occur quite a bit during the season.
“We do get a number of calls for people who are — especially on the river — venturing onto the ice,” he said, adding that the department deals with medical calls at ponds more than than rescues.
Hogan also wants to remind people to avoid going on the South Saskatchewan River at all times during winter.
“I would say no to being on the river ice, it’s important people stay on shore,” he said.
Only select storm water retention ponds in Saskatoon are designated for recreational use. These are:
- Briarwood Pond (Briarwood).
- Bev Dyck Pond (Kensington).
- Brighton Large Pond (Brighton).
- Brighton Small Pond (Brighton).
- George H Clare Pond (Kensington).
- Dundonald Pond (Dundonald).
- John Avant Pond (Erindale).
- Lakeview Pond (Lakeview).
- Marshall Hawthorne Pond (Stonebridge).
- Parkridge Extension Pond (Blairmore Suburban Centre) and
- Trounce Pond (Lakeview Suburban Centre).
“… the reason is because these storm retention ponds, they’re a little different than just a regular pond … there’s flowing water within them.”
Hogan said ponds unsuitable for recreational use will display a “Do Not Skate” sticker on site signs. Once the ice thickness is eight inches and is considered safe, SFD will replace that with a “Skating Permitted” sticker.
People should check the signs posted when they consider using the ponds.
“Community members are advised to always exercise an elevated level of caution when around any large body of water. Keep a close watch on children and pets when visiting trails, parks, or off-leash areas that may run adjacent to a storm water retention pond,” said the fire department in a news release about the testing.
According to SFD, community members who use the ponds for recreational purposes “assume all risk and maintenance responsibilities for the ice including shoveling and user safety.”
— with files by Will Mandzuk, 650 CKOM
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