​Municipality Snow Clearing Update (November 2024)

Since the first major snowstorm of the season ended on Sunday, November 24, the municipality has been diligently working on clearing snow across the region. The snow clearing operations were initiated late on Saturday, November 23, and will continue throughout the week.
Levels of Service for Snow Clearing:
  1. Priority Level 1: Main Roads
    • Buffalo Road, Jennifer Drive, and Municipal Road
    • These high-priority roads have been completed to ensure major traffic routes remain clear for emergency vehicles and general traffic.
  2. Priority Level 2: Secondary Routes
    • Transfer Site, Hall, Front Street, and School Bus Routes
    • These essential routes have been completed to ensure access to important services and safe travel for students.
  3. Priority Level 3: Residential and Key Streets
    • Lake View Avenue, 1st to 4th Street, Aimee Avenue, Destini Drive, and Mackenzie Way
    • These roads have been completed, with focus on ensuring access to residential areas and key locations.
  4. Priority Level 4: Additional Roads and Cul-de-Sacs
    • All other roads, including cul-de-sacs and the Boat Launch Road Loop
    • These have been completed to maintain access to less trafficked areas.
  5. Priority Level 5: Special Areas
    • Boat Launch Parking Area, Emergency Lake Access, Lake View Avenue Parking Areas, and Windrow Removal at Beach Accesses
    • These areas are almost complete, with work focusing on ensuring that key parking areas and emergency access points remain clear.
  6. Priority Level 6: Recreational Areas
    • Jacks Pond Parking Area and Gazebo Hill Parking Area
    • Snow clearing is ongoing in these areas.
Ongoing Operations:
  • Snow Plowing of Public Roads: Plowing will continue as needed to ensure access for emergency vehicles and safe passage for other vehicles. Efforts are focused on maintaining two-way traffic flows in most areas.
  • Snow Ridge Management: Staff will make every effort to prevent creating large snow ridges during road clearing, especially on residential driveways. However, if the snow is more than six inches (6") or there are other obstacles or safety concerns, staff will use discretion in determining the most appropriate approach.
Non-Permanent Residents:
  • Non-permanent residents need to provide 72 hours’ notice to the Municipal Office, during regular municipal operating hours, for municipal plowed windrow or ridge removal to ensure access to their property. Please make sure to notify the office in advance to avoid delays in service.
Key Points to Remember:
  • The municipality does not guarantee specific removal times for roads or areas, but prioritizes operations based on accessibility and urgency.
  • Snow clearing efforts are aimed at ensuring the safe passage of vehicles and providing access for emergency services across the municipality.
  • The municipality is focused on progressive clean-up and will continue working throughout the week to clear snow from all priority areas.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as the municipality continues to address snow clearing operations to keep roads safe and accessible.
White Sands has a permanent population of 120 according to the last census, and also has a number of seasonal residents.  No camping facilities are available in the Summer Village of White Sands.
  

Community Digital Sign Policy and Procedures (SUSPENDED)
Do your friends or family have an upcoming birthday or anniversary? White Sands Residents are able to take advantage of our Digital Sign for these types of announcements. The sign is located right beside the Water Station. Messages run on a Sunday to Sunday rotation and the deadline for requests is 8a on Sunday of the week that you want the message posted.

If you have a Birthday or Anniversary message you’d like to post, send requests to [email protected]. Some messages may need to be tailored to fit the sign parameters and this is at the discretion of the programmer.
 The sign cannot be used for commercial messages (including non-profits and for profits).
community_sign_policy_and_proceedures_dec_2020.pdf
​Closure of County Lagoons to Summer Village Residents:
Please be advised that the Summer Village Municipalities have received notice from the County of Stettler that as of March 16, 2022, the County lagoons will not accept non-County of Stettler residents’ sewage form outside haulers. The Red Willow Lagoon needs work and until an approved project plan and work schedule are in place, the Erskine Lagoon is going to have to service only the County of Stettler and its residents to be able to manage the effluent levels of the Erskine Lagoon.  The Summer Village of Rochon Sands and Summer Village of White Sands are diligently working together to resolve any issues to prevent any disruption of service with the private sewage haulers.
 
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
We all have a responsibility to raise awareness about being prepared for disasters, emergencies and unexpected situations.

Learn how you and your family can prepare yourselves for an emergency or disaster using the following links:

https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-preparedness.aspx
https://www.alberta.ca/make-an-emergency-plan.aspx