There’s a new school zone that motorists will become aware of when heading south on 50th Street.
Councillors, at their meeting Aug. 26, approved creation of a school zone beside Lighthouse Christian Academy (Gospel Chapel).
Signs were erected and the speed limit painted on the pavement in time for students who went back to school this week. The town’s flashing sign boards were also placed in the area on Tuesday.
“The primary objective of school and playground zones is to warn motorists of the possibility of unexpected or unintentional children entering onto the roadway at undefined crossing locations,” wrote Nick Reijnen, manager of municipal enforcement in his report to council.
“Putting a school zone up there is probably the right thing to do,” said Councillor Laverne Asselstine. “Why not take it further and perhaps a sidewalk is needed.” He suggested it was needed from Sylvan Drive all the way to the school.
However Councillor Sean McIntyre went a step further and thought there should be someplace for pedestrians to walk along the street all the way to Memorial Trail. He noted the Beacon Hill and Crestview subdivisions are being developed and there’s already one apartment building on Broadway Rise and another being built.
Asselstine made the motion to approve the school zone which was approved unanimously. Then he made a second motion to direct administration to look at implementing a sidewalk and bring that forward in the 2014 budget. That motion was also carried unanimously.