The Town of Shaunavon has recently announced that they are relocating waste collection in the community from the back alley to front pick up for specific locations effective the week of May 20.

Tara Fritz is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Shaunavon. She explains the reason for the change. "Because of our new garbage truck we're having problems with safety concerns accessing some of the key intersections in the back alleys. So, there's been a recommendation to move some back alleys to front street garbage and recycling pick up and Council has accepted that recommendation from the Public Works Committee."

The number one concern, according to Town Council, is that the garbage truck is unable to turn around in these alleys and is forced to back out. This poses a major safety risk as there is zero visibility when backing up. 

Front street pick up with begin at the following locations the week of May 20:

The 300 and 400 blocks of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd street west.

The 600 block of 1st, 2nd and 3rd street west.

All of 9th street west.

7th avenue from 4th street west to 9th street west.

The 300 block of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th streets east.

The 100 and 200 blocks of 4th and 5th streets east.

The 600 block of 2nd and 3rd streets east.

And civic addresses of 595 to 628 Poplar Crescent.

The Town is considering changing all collection, except for Center Street, to front pick up and are looking for feedback from the community.

Fritz says that the benefit of moving all collection to the front is the impact from heavy traffic in the alleys will be reduced, meaning less maintenance and time and tax dollars spent on the alleys, as well as an increase in productivity in other areas.

You can visit The Grand Coteau Center in Shaunavon or The Shaunavon Town Office to look for a ballot box to express your opinion. Deadline for ballots is May 8.