Town of Ponoka

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ON 52 STREET There is a temporary road closure today on 52 Street (between 50 Avenue and 51 Avenue) as crews work to repair a water main break. The water main has been temporarily shut off while the work is being done. Affected properties are being notified. ... The RCMP office is temporarily closed to the public while the water main is being repaired but policing services continue uninterrupted. The road will remain closed until the work is completed. Pedestrians and motorists are asked to avoid the area. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution in construction zones and observe road signs and traffic safety personnel. If you have questions, please call 403-783-0159.

SNOW REMOVAL & ICE CONTROL UPDATE - JAN. 25, 2021 Town of Ponoka snow and ice control operations are ongoing today following the snow that fell over the weekend. Crews have been busy clearing snow on priority routes and sanding and salting intersections as needed.... SIDEWALKS., TRAILS & OUTDOOR SKATING Town crews have also been busy clearing snow and sanding and salting sidewalks adjacent to Town-owned properties, as well as throughout the river valley walking trails and pathways in Town parks. Crews have also cleared snow from the Centennial Park skating trail, the Downtown Skating Plaza, the Outdoor Rink at the Ponoka Arena Complex and from park furniture to allow citizens to fully enjoy Ponoka’s many outdoor recreation facilities this winter. To report an icy intersection or an icy, snow-covered sidewalk that may need attention, please contact the Town at 403-783-4431 or submit an online request on the Town website at https://form.foreaction.cloud/submit/ponoka. RESIDENTS ASKED TO HELP KEEP SIDEWALKS CLEAR The Town would like to thank all Ponoka residents who have been working hard to keep sidewalks that border their property clear of snow and ice. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, more and more people are getting exercise by going for walks in neighbourhoods throughout Ponoka. By keeping the sidewalks adjacent to your property clear of snow and ice, you are helping to protect the safety and well-being of your neighbours and fellow citizens in Ponoka. Keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice is also a requirement under the Town of Ponoka Community Standards Bylaw #387-17, which can result in warnings and fines when necessary. For more information on snow and ice control in Ponoka, please click below: https://www.ponoka.ca//Snow_and_Ice_Control_Update_-_Janua

With the recent snowfall last weekend, residents are reminded to please keep sidewalks adjacent to your property clear of snow and ice. The Town would like to thank Ponoka residents who have been working hard to help keep sidewalks clear this winter. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, more people are getting exercise by going for walks in neighbourhoods around Ponoka. ... By keeping the sidewalks that border your property clear of snow and ice, you are helping to protect the safety and well-being of your neighbours and fellow citizens in Ponoka. Keeping sidewalks adjacent to your property clear of snow and ice is also a requirement under the Town of Ponoka Community Standards Bylaw #387-17, which can result in warnings and fines when necessary. Thank you again for your continuing efforts in protecting the safety of others in our community by keeping sidewalks safe for pedestrians.

CURBSIDE WASTE PICKUP FOR JAN. 27, 28, 29 Green and Grey Carts will be picked up this week on Jan. 27, 28, 29 depending on your Zone. * Zone 2, the area between Highway 2A and the Battle River, will be picked up on Wednesday, Jan. 27 * Zone 1, the area east of the Battle River (in Riverside area), will be picked up on Thursday, Jan. 28 * Zone 3, the area west of Highway 2A (in Lucas Heights), will be picked up on Friday, Jan. 29... Citizens are reminded to please have Green and Grey Carts at the curb for waste pickup by 7 a.m. on your designated collection day. Please retrieve your carts from the curb after they’ve been emptied on collection day. For more information about the Town’s 2020 Waste & Recycling Collection Schedule, please visit the Town website at: https://www.ponoka.ca//recycling-and/residential-recycling Please call 403-783-0159 if your carts are missed for pickup. See more

HARDSHIP GRANT DEADLINE APPROACHING JANUARY 31 Ponoka businesses whose bottom lines are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for financial assistance under the Town’s $50,000 Hardship Grant. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2021.... Eligible businesses must physically reside and operate in the Town of Ponoka, hold a 2020 Town business licence and plan to have a 2021 business licence unless they are exempt from requiring a licence. For full details, please visit https://www.ponoka.ca//1354-new-hardship-grant-for-ponoka- Questions? Phone 403-783-0127.

NEW HARDSHIP GRANT FOR PONOKA BUSINESSES Ponoka Town Council has approved a new Hardship Grant that offers financial assistance to Ponoka businesses whose bottom lines are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hardship Grant is intended to help businesses that have suffered significant financial losses due to COVID-19 impacts such as:... Full or partial closure of their business due to a public health order; Permanent or temporary layoff of employees; Reduced business hours; and Decreased revenue. Eligible businesses must physically reside and operate in the Town of Ponoka, hold a 2020 Town of Ponoka business licence and plan to have a 2021 Town business licence, or they must be exempt from requiring a business licence from the Town. Eligible businesses must also have been significantly impacted financially by COVID-19. The deadline to apply is January 31. For full details, including how to apply, please visit: https://www.ponoka.ca//Hardship_Grant_for_Local_Businesses

CURBSIDE WASTE PICKUP REMINDER FOR NOV. 25, 26, 27 Bags of recycling will be picked up this week on Nov. 25, 26, 27 depending on your Zone. -Zone 2, the area between Highway 2A and the Battle River, will be picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 25 -Zone 1, the area east of the Battle River (in Riverside area), will be picked up on Thursday, Nov. 26 -Zone 3, the area west of Highway 2A (in Lucas Heights), will be picked up on Friday, Nov. 27... Citizens are reminded to please have bagged recycled material at the curb for waste pickup by 7 a.m. on your designated collection day. Please retrieve carts from the curb after they’ve been emptied on collection day. For more information about the Town’s 2020 Waste & Recycling Collection Schedule, please visit the Town website at https://www.ponoka.ca//recycling-and/residential-recycling Please call 403-783-0159 if your cart and/or bags of recyclables are missed for pickup. See more

TOWN ANNOUNCES NEW COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS In response to the latest provincial health restrictions announced this week to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Town of Ponoka is implementing the following new restrictions. The Aquaplex will be temporarily closed until further notice beginning Dec. 12.... The Ponoka Arena Complex, curling rink, racquetball courts and Hudson’s Green Community Activity Centre also remain temporarily closed until further notice. OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES The Town’s outdoor recreation facilities continue to be open to the public with restrictions in place due to COVID-19. The ODR at the Arena Complex remains OPEN from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a maximum of 10 people allowed on the ice surface at once. The ice at the new Downtown Skating Plaza and at the skating trail in Lions Centennial Park will also soon be ready for citizens to lace up their skates and enjoy some exercise and fresh air. Town staff and the Ponoka East District Fire Department are working to prepare the ice at those two locations as quickly as possible. The Town Office remains closed to public access until further notice, but the Town continues to be open for business by phone, email, fax and online. Citizens can contact the Town Office by phone at 403-783-4431, by email at [email protected], by fax at 403-783-6745 or online at www.ponoka.ca. All service requests and questions will be responded to from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday by Town staff. For FULL details, please visit: https://www.ponoka.ca//Covid-19_Response_by_Town_of_Ponoka.

Come and see the wonderful Christmas display that the library is hosting at the Ponoka Civic Centre.

***UPDATE*** NEW COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FOR OUTDOOR RINK In response to new provincial health restrictions announced this week due to COVID-19, the number of people allowed on the Outdoor Rink at the Ponoka Arena Complex at one time has been reduced to a maximum of 10 people, effective immediately. ... Outdoor Rink users are asked to limit their length of time on the ice during each visit to allow other users the opportunity to use the facility as well. The change room located at the northeast corner of the Arena will be closed to public use until further notice. The Outdoor Rink will remain open from 10 am to 10 pm daily. OTHER COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS: Ice users are reminded to please follow all provincial health orders and recommendations, including physical distancing from those outside of your cohort. Ice users are also encouraged to wear a mask wherever possible. COVID-19 rules will be posted at the entrance to the rink.

NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday, November 24 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to observe all Council meetings electronically due to COVID-19. If you wish to observe the meeting, PLEASE REGISTER FIRST by no later than noon on the day of the meeting by phoning 403-783-4431. You will be provided with details on how to observe the meeting by telephone or an online audio link.... PUBLIC FORUM: If you would like to address Council via telephone during the Public Forum portion of the meeting, please register by no later than noon on the day of the meeting by phoning 403-783-4431. To view the agenda package for the meeting, please click the link below. Thank you. https://ponoka.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx

CURBSIDE WASTE PICKUP REMINDER FOR DEC. 9, 10, 11 Bags of recycling will be picked up this week on Dec. 9, 10, 11 depending on your Zone. -Zone 2, the area between Highway 2A and the Battle River, will be picked up on Wednesday, Dec. 9 -Zone 1, the area east of the Battle River (in Riverside area), will be picked up on Thursday, Dec. 10 -Zone 3, the area west of Highway 2A (in Lucas Heights), will be picked up on Friday, Dec. 11... Citizens are reminded to please have bagged recycled material at the curb for waste pickup by 7 a.m. on your designated collection day. Please retrieve carts from the curb after they’ve been emptied on collection day. For more information about the Town’s 2020 Waste & Recycling Collection Schedule, please visit the Town website at https://www.ponoka.ca//recycling-and/residential-recycling Please call 403-783-0159 if your cart and/or bags of recyclables are missed for pickup. See more

DOG LICENCE RENEWALS AVAILABLE AT DISCOUNTED PRICE It’s time to renew your dog license for 2021. Dog tags and tag renewals are available at a discounted price of $25 from November 30 until January 31, 2021. After that, the price returns to the regular fee of $40. Due to Town Hall being closed to public access, pet owners are asked to renew or obtain new dog licenses by contacting the Town by email at [email protected] or by phoning 403-783-0120. ... The Town then will mail out dog tags following renewal or purchase by pet owners. All dogs aged three months and older must be licensed under the current Town of Ponoka Animal Control Bylaw.

FIREWORKS OVER THE RIVER VALLEY @ 8:30 P.M. TONIGHT The Town of Ponoka and Ponoka County are sponsoring a fireworks display over the river valley at 8:30 p.m. tonight as part of the Ponoka Chamber of Commerce’s Almost Midnight Madness event. Those wanting to watch the fireworks are asked to please follow provincial health orders and recommendations, including physical distancing from those outside of your cohort. ... Wearing a mask is also encouraged. Consider watching the fireworks from your car or home wherever possible. REMINDER: The Santa Claus parade and Christmas tree lighting ceremony that were originally planned for tonight have been POSTPONED for two weeks and will be re-evaluated by early December. Photo credit: Ponoka News

Sign up for the MONTHLY TAX PAYMENT PLAN by Dec. 20 Did you know you can pay your property taxes in 12 monthly payments instead of one lump sum at no extra cost? You can also avoid late fees because the payments are automatically paid from your account every month!... Sign up by Dec. 20 to begin monthly payments in January. In response to provincial health directives, the Town Office is currently closed to public access, but is still open for business by phone, email, online and fax. To sign up for the Monthly Tax Payment Plan, please click the link below, print off a copy of the ‘Tax Installment Payment Plan’ form, and email the completed form to [email protected] with a void cheque or bank letter. https://www.ponoka.ca/.../Tax_Installment_Payment_Plan.pdf You can also sign up by contacting the Tax Clerk at 403-783-0127 to get a completed form emailed to you. You can then mail the form with a void cheque or bank letter to the Town of Ponoka (200, 5604-50 Street) or email the documents to [email protected]. Your tax account must be current before signing up. Questions? Please phone 403-783-0127 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.