Regina doubles yearly sand distribution in just over a day

People in Regina have been taking advantage of the city’s Winter Sandbox Program due to this week’s freezing rain creating icy conditions.

The bins have been utilized so much so that some were emptied within an hour.

A normal year would see about 40 tonnes of sand used, but within 36 hours this week, 85 tonnes of sand had been taken from bins around the city. The cost of the 85 tonnes is around $2,600.

“This courtesy service has been in place for more than 10 years and never has the response been this high,” says Norman Kyle, Director of Roadways & Transportation in a release. “This year’s weather has caused us to deplete our two year supply of dry sand, so as a result, we will now stock the sandboxes with the same sand/salt mixture we use in our ice control program.”

The program provides free dry sand to help make sidewalks safer. The mixture is 94 per cent sand and six per cent salt.

The city is asking people to only take what they need to ensure everyone has access to some.

The full list of sandbox locations in Regina includes:

• Northgate Mall – 7th Avenue North and Lorne Street
• Jack Hamilton Arena – 1010 McCarthy Boulevard
• Albert Scott Community Centre – 1264 Athol Street
• Cathedral Centre – 2900 13th Avenue
• Al Ritchie – 2230 Lindsay Street
• Murray Balfour Arena – 70 Massey Road
• Glencairn Centre – 2626 East Dewdney Avenue
• Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre – 3130 Woodhams Drive
• South Leisure Centre – 222 Sunset Drive

Crews are working hard to keep the bins full while they focus on getting sand on roads around the city.