An abandoned crosswalk and a soon-to-be defunct playground were topics of discussion during a Beiseker council meeting May 27.
Melanie Jackson, Beiseker School Parent Council chairperson requested council return a crosswalk at the north end of the school, which was taken away last year.
“A lot of parents park at the church and it’s a dangerous zone,” she said of kids running across to get into their parents’ vehicles. “We would love to see it back in place.”
Mayor Ray Courtman said he would gladly look into a solution.
“The bus has to park so many metres back from the crosswalk,” he said, explaining the crosswalk was taken out because the bus wasn’t able to do that because of its size.
“There could be a loading/unloading rule that can be waived locally,” he said.
He explained during certain hours they could permit the bus to park closer to the crosswalk.
“I’ve been there myself the other day and (the traffic) is just crazy,” he added.
Jackson also informed council the playground on the north side of the school will be taken out at the end of the year because Rocky View Schools (RVS) only allows one playground per school.
She said the playground located on the east side of the school will last the next three to five years but said plans for fundraising are in place so the money will be available when needed.
Norma Lang, school board trustee, who was in attendance, explained that RVS has higher safety requirements than most municipalities. She said because of funding restraints, they only allow one playground per school. “(Jackson) is working hard behind the scenes to come up with something the community will like,” said Lang of plans for the new playground coming in a few years.
Lang was at the meeting to formally introduce Fraser Montgomery and Bob Rodgers as the permanent principal and vice principal of the school. The two were in acting roles this year.
