CENTRE WELLINGTON – On one of the hottest days of the summer, Centre Wellington cemented its winter activities risk management program.
And it will be straw bales, snow fencing and daily inspections that will keep kids safer on township-owned toboggan hills this winter, should there be enough snow.
Last winter had a lot of snow but the township’s three hills – in Ferrier Park, Foote Park and Southridge Park – were closed on Jan. 7 while the township’s legal and insurance teams conducted a risk assessment.
By the time the hills reopened, the snow was all but gone.
However, the assessment determined the township needs a winter activities risk management program and at the July 14 meeting, manager of parks Lucas Rogerson presented council with the plan.
The township has prepared layout drawings for each of its three tobogganning hills. This one at Ferrier Park has the most complicated layout. But snow fencing and straw bales should prevent tobogganers from encountering hazards and make the hills safer, officials say. Image from council agenda
It calls for snow fencing at each of the parks to make clear where the toboggan runs are. Straw bales will be positioned at the ends of the runs to prevent kids from running into trees or other hazards.
And daily inspections will look for bare or icy spots on the hills and ensure signage is visible.
The program also outlines the procedure for volunteer-run outdoor skating rinks.
As before, volunteers must apply to the township to operate the rinks, which by and large are maintained by volunteers who flood and shovel the rinks with some assistance from the township when resources allow.
The rinks will also be inspected for bald patches, cracks or frost boils and to ensure signage is visible.
Updates on rinks and hills will be posted on the township’s social media channels and through signage at the site.
When the matter came to council in February, Rogerson explained it would require hiring a full-time temporary staff person to conduct the inspections, set up and take down the hills, and process and oversee requests for outdoor rinks.
Council approved the position then but Rogerson noted on July 14 the position will be presented again as part of the 2026 budget deliberations.
Otherwise, the cost of the program, which runs December to March, is about $3,500 – for the straw bales and signage – and can be covered from the parks and recreation budget.
Skating and tobogganing “are a big part of our community,” councillor Jennifer Adams remarked.
“It will be great to see (children) doing it again.”
