Change is visible on the soccer fields across from Centenoka Park Mall in Salmon Arm, but it’s mostly maintenance, says the school district.
As of Oct. 26, trees in and around School District 83’s portion of the fields – the northern part nearest the Trans-Canada Highway – have been trimmed or are being trimmed back and branches removed.
Travis Elwood, director of operations for the school district, said the trees were being pruned so crews can get back to doing regular maintenance on them.
Also, the concrete from a former tennis court was being torn up and removed, so grass can be planted there.
The week prior to the work, a tent-to-tent visit was done to let anybody who was camping there know that the work would be starting Monday, Oct. 24.
Prior to the pruning, Okanagan Restoration, which is hazmat-certified, was hired to clean up any waste or discarded garbage in the area.
RCMP and Salvation Army staff also came by to assist anyone who needed help moving. The moving was required for safety reasons.
“You don’t want branches falling on tents,” said Alice Hucul, school district communications.
No word yet regarding a shelter opening for people in Salmon Arm who are without homes.
martha.wickett@saobserver.net
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