Work Underway to Ready Outdoor Amenities for Summer

April 30, 2026

Each spring, Parks and Recreation staff undertake a significant seasonal transition as winter operations wind down and outdoor amenities are prepared for public use. Once arena ice has been removed, crews shift from indoor facility work to opening parks, fields, courts, playgrounds, the cemetery, and recreation spaces across the community. This period is one of the busiest times of the year, as many seasonal tasks, contracted programs, and capital projects all begin at once.

Transition from Winter to Spring Operations

The removal of arena ice signals the start of spring conversion work. Staff then prepare the arena for community events such as banquets, graduations, competitions, and other rentals, while simultaneously mobilizing outside crews for seasonal start-up.

Core Spring Readiness Work

Seasonal start-up is guided by the Operation Hours Policy and typically includes:

  • Opening public washrooms, drinking fountains, splash parks, and seasonal water services
  • Restarting and inspecting irrigation systems, identifying winter damage, and completing repairs
  • Cleaning tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, and installing nets, windscreens, and seasonal equipment
  • Preparing ball diamonds, soccer fields, rugby fields, volleyball courts, and disc golf areas for organized sport and public recreation. The Outdoor Sports Field Policy is used to determine opening dates.
  • Fertilizing turf and beginning mowing operations across parks, boulevards, green spaces, and sports fields.
  • Inspecting playgrounds, skate parks, and recreation infrastructure for safety and maintenance needs
  • Cemetery maintenance and preparation for high-visitation periods such as Mother’s Day
  • Removing winter gravel, litter, and debris from roadsides, boulevards, and maintained public areas
  • Supporting community groups with event logistics and facility set-up requirements

Seasonal Beautification Program

Spring also marks the beginning of the City’s annual beautification program, which adds color and visual appeal throughout our public spaces. Under the current contract, this work includes supplying, planting, watering, fertilizing, and maintaining seasonal flowers at municipal sites through the summer months.

Invasive Weed Management Program

Another important seasonal initiative is invasive plant management, which typically begins in May and continues through the growing season. Through a multi-year contract, specialized crews provide monitoring, treatment, and control services for invasive species on municipal lands.

This program helps protect native ecosystems, reduces the spread of harmful weeds into parks and open spaces, and supports long-term environmental stewardship. Work generally includes inspections, treatment scheduling, site-specific control measures, and regular progress reporting to the City.

If you are aware of any areas with an infestation of invasive weeds, please use the online Report Problem/Request Service tool, and our staff will ensure this is passed on to the contractors.

Commitment to Community Service

Because these activities occur concurrently, staff must carefully balance event support, routine maintenance, seasonal openings, contractor coordination, and project delivery across many sites. While we are all understandably eager for facilities to open as soon as the weather improves, many amenities require inspections, repairs, cleaning, and setup before they can safely open.

While this is a busy time across departments, our crews remain focused on preparing Fernie’s public spaces as efficiently as possible. Their efforts each spring ensure residents and visitors can enjoy safe, attractive, and fully functioning facilities throughout the busy summer season.