City updates plans for free showers for residents

Greater Sudbury had 20 crews working to address frozen water services on Thursday, with 108 properties waiting for steam/hot water thawing of their pipes, 32 waiting for electrical thawing and 20 waiting for excavation.

Between Feb. 4-March 5, water service was restored to 284 properties, the city said in a release, with more reports of problems still coming in.

“Property owners are cautioned that air temperature is not an indicator of risk of frozen water services,” the news release said. “It will likely be months before the risk of ground frost has been lifted. Residents are encouraged to watch for neighbours who may require special assistance during a water service outage.”

Anyone who is left without water should call the city's main number, 311, which is staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Callers will be asked to give the city permission to thaw pipes on their property.

While residents have the right to contract the work to a plumber or contractor or their choice, if they do so, they will be responsible for all the costs (including additional water consumption), “whether the frozen water service is on municipal property or private property,” the release said.

The city is offering shower services free of charge for residents who are waiting for their water to be fixed. Anyone without water who would like to use a city pool or recreation centre to shower should note the following changes to the locations and available of the services:

For tonight, Friday, March 6, the following facilities will be open from 6-8 p.m. Residents will be asked to present identification and must supply their own towels and toiletries. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

-- Capreol Millennium Resource Centre, 24 Meehan St., Capreol;

-- Gatchell Pool, 43 Irving St., Sudbury;

-- Nickel District Pool, 1940 Hawthorne St., Sudbury;

-- Onaping Falls Pool, 1 Hillside Dr., Onaping;

Beginning Saturday, the following pools and fitness centres will be open to citizens without water for showering purposes. Again, citizens must bring their own towels and toiletries, sign in and out, and be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 16. Residents are asked to bring their ID and show up at least 30 minutes before closing:

-- Dow Pool in Copper Cliff: 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Sunday;

-- Onaping Pool in Onaping: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday;

-- Dowling Leisure Centre in Dowling: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 11a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday;

-- Lionel E. Lalonde Fitness Centre in Azilda: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday;

-- Millennium Centre in Capreol: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday;

-- Howard Armstrong Rec Centre in Hanmer: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday;

-- Nickel District Pool in Sudbury: 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday;

-- Gatchell Pool in Sudbury: 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10: a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and,

-- Falconbridge Wellness Centre in Falconbridge: 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, dial 311 or visit www.greatersudbury.ca/frozen