Melfort council reviews school zone request from academy

MELFORT — Melfort city council is considering the creation of a new school zone following a request from the Northeast Christian Academy.

At the latest governance and priorities committee meeting, councillors reviewed a letter the city received in May from academy administrative assistant Wanda Derkatz. She asked the city to address traffic safety near the school, noting that while a traffic light is in place on Main Street, there is no reduced speed zone.

“I would also ask that speed limit signage be posted in the back alley and on the corner of Hatton Place and Main Street, as our playground is in the back of the building and on the south end of the building,” Derkatz wrote.

In her report to council, public works director Kalyna Cipywnyk said the private school requested the roadways around the 900 block of Main Street be designated as a school zone with a 30 km/h speed limit.

Administration reviewed the request in accordance with the Transportation Association of Canada’s School and Playground Areas and Zones guidelines. The review determined the location qualifies as a “school area.”

Council will further evaluate whether a reduced speed limit is necessary under the guidelines.

The academy also asked for signs to be installed in the back alley and on Hatton Place, as both streets are next to the school’s playground.

Cipywnyk told council any proposed speed limit changes would require approval by council. However, the public works department has the authority to install traffic signage reflecting current roadway operations.