July 17, 2020
Things to Watch For
July 13 - August 21: Geo Adventure for Youth (Ages 5+)
In this program, youth can earn points and enter a chance to win a Recreation Centre prize pack all while getting active and exploring High River! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, youth will get a clue for a new location in Town with a task to complete. Grab a bike, scooter, skateboard or walk to the location, take snapshots while completing the task and send on to the Rec team.

July 15, 29 & August 5, 12: Outdoors Zumba Gold with Amber
Featuring easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination for older adults.

To learn more about either of these programs and to register, contact our Community Programs Facilitator Amber Jardine at ajardine@highriver.ca or 403-603-3507.
Construction Season in High River 
Construction season is a busy time of year. It can make driving around Town frustrating at times. Remember, the goal of the season is to continually improve upon the quality of life for all residents.
There’s an old saying that there are only two seasons in Alberta—winter and construction. It certainly feels that way when the orange traffic barriers and detour signs appear as the snow melts. There’s an obvious reason why road construction work occurs in warmer weather; the short window of opportunity when the ground isn’t frozen. What isn’t so obvious is the amount of planning and coordination that takes place with every construction project.

There are roads and then there’s what’s beneath the roads — buried utilities. Just like your vehicle or any home appliance, utilities need constant upgrades and repairs. That’s why the Town has a Street Replacement Program where one or more blocks receive upgrades each year. Occasionally, the work will expand to include a design change for the area’s roads and sidewalks.

Council reviews and approves the proposed changes that benefit the community. Town staff reach out through letters, notices, public meetings or open houses to provide information and seek feedback. This was the case with the Centre Street project now underway.

Once a project has a budget and approval, contracts are signed and timelines set. However, there are almost always unexpected circumstances. The main issue in our part of the country is weather. A stretch of rainy weather can slow down progress by days or even weeks. Another challenge is coordinating with contractors. Replacing underground utilities involves many outside contractors and each of them works with complex schedules to bring in their crews and expertise.

We know it’s frustrating when roads are closed, and heavy equipment is working close by.
However, the work is necessary so that water flows from the taps when we turn them on, and electricity and gas are there to heat our homes during that other season—winter.

Visit the website for the latest updates HERE . If you have any questions about construction projects, give the Town a call at 403-652-2110.
Major Road Closures Begin July 20
Two major road closures will begin the week of July 20. There will be a full closure of 12th Avenue SW from Baker Creek to the west side of 1st Street SW. This is for work related to the SW Dike and reconstruction of 12th Avenue SW.

Detour signage will be in place for motorists and pedestrians. This will be an extended closure until the fall of 2020.
High Country Drive: Closure Update

In the northwest, Centre Street will be closed at High Country Drive as part of the sanitary sewer decommissioning project.

Centre Street will be closed to all but local traffic from the Centre Street Bridge to High Country Drive.

Residents are advised to use a detour route via 5th Street SE and 498th Avenue East. It’s expected the closure will remain in place for 7 to 10 days.

Please check the Town website and social media for further updates as construction work progresses.
RCMP Detachment Re-Opens to Public
Staff Sergeant Greg Wiebe now on the job for four months
High River AB – Staff Sergeant Greg Wiebe has been stationed in High River since March 2020. He has managed the RCMP members through the COVID-19 situation.

Now that things are returning to business as usual, we want to thank Greg and officially welcome him to High River. With the local detachment reopened to the public, residents can once again call ahead to make any appointments or speak with RCMP members.
Greg, the son of an RCMP Officer, spent four years in Crowsnest Pass as Sergeant in Charge prior to moving to High River. He has travelled across Northern and Western Canada primarily spending a significant amount of time in Saskatchewan. He enjoys many outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing and fly fishing.
We are happy to have Greg here in High River. Please be sure to say hi when you see him around the community.
For more information about the local detachment visit their webpage HERE.
Spray Park has re-opened! Please enjoy Parks & Rec's virtual & outdoor activities!
The Spray Park has re-opened with new rules and hours. Hours of use will be split into two time frames, with cleaning occurring mid-day. Users are invited to enjoy the park from 11 am to 2:30 pm or 3:30 to 7 pm, seven days a week. Visit the website for more details.


There are a lot of questions about when the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex will be re-opening. We ask for your patience for now. The situation in High River is different from some communities which have already partially or fully re-opened their indoor rec facilities. 

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has a lease with the Town to operate a COVID testing station at the BSRC. The Town fully supports this vital and important work as AHS tests and traces the virus to help limit its spread. Also, renovation work is underway in the pool area and the large arena. 

We hope everyone is enjoying the use of the Spray Park and other playgrounds and enjoying the summer (we have no control over the rain!)

Stay tuned for re-opening updates in the near future. In the meantime, Town programming staff are offering virtual and outdoor activities this summer, such as Geo Adventure and Zumba. Check the Parks & Recreation Facebook page for more information. 
Construction Corner - More Updates Below
4th Ave SE repairs and upgrades to aging utilities
Some much needed repairs on 4th Avenue SE have been approved by Council. The work will get underway within the next few weeks.

4th Avenue SE between 3rd and 5th Streets SE has had a problem with frequent water main breaks in recent years. Shawne Excavating will work to repair and upgrade aging infrastructure, replace the road surface and add sidewalks on the north side of 4th Avenue SE.

Updates on road and sidewalk closures will be posted on the Town website and social media once the project is underway.
Centre Street Utilities Relocation
A major project to relocate utility lines is happening along Centre Street, while other work is occurring.

The Town asked utility companies to relocate overhead power lines to run underground on the former CP lands. Work starts in the south near 10th Avenue SE and runs north to Macleod Trail.

There may be occasional disruptions to traffic and public parking. The project is expected to be completed in approximately seven weeks.
FortisAlberta Replacing Underground
Power Cables until July 31
FortisAlberta will be replacing underground power cables in the downtown area starting July 13. To facilitate this work, 2A Avenue SW will be closed.
There will also be a partial lane closure on the access road to the public parking lot west of Macleod Trail (behind Town Hall). 

One lane will remain open so that customers and employees of downtown businesses can access the parking lot.
The closures will be in effect between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:30 pm until July 31.
Follow the Town on Social Media



Follow the Town on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for timely updates and information.

To contact the Town's Customer Service Desk, call 403-652-2110 or email corporateservices@highriver.ca
Visit our COVID-19 web page to read the Town's Local Relaunch Strategy.

Keep following AHS recommended health protocols.

Please consider wearing a mask in public places to respect and protect others in the community.
Stay safe, be kind and enjoy the summer weather!
An official Town of High River publication. For more information:
contact the Town of High River Office at 403.652.2110 or email communications@highriver.ca