Early morning change for school zones

Drivers will have to put on the brakes in Black Diamond’s school zones earlier in the morning and later at night starting this spring.

Black Diamond Town council asked Town administration to change the local traffic bylaw to extend the school zone around C. Ian McLaren School and Oilfields High School to 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on school days effective April 17.

The current school zone times of 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., are aligned with provincial regulations.

“In the area where the school is, it’s utilized by a lot of not-for-profit groups and by people in the area,” Sharlene Brown, chief administrative officer, told council. “There is a lot of young people in that area on a regular basis. Most of the extra curricular activities that happen in that area are done by 7:30 to 8 at night.”

Brown told council Town administration and Black Diamond Protective Services reviewed the speed limits last November and December.

Council was asked to consider upgrading the signs with newer and cleaner ones and increasing the 30 km/hr speed limit in school zones from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. as 3rd Street SW between Second and Sixth Avenues SW are heavily used by other groups during the school year.

Brown told council the municipality has the ability to set the times in school zones under the traffic safety act.

Councillors initially discussed the recommendation of extending the school zones to 7:30 p.m., but some said they would like to extend the time even later.

“I think 7:30 p.m. is not late enough,” said Coun. Jackie Stickel. “I think if you’ve got kids playing ball there, they are out there at least until 8 p.m. I think 9 p.m. is a better number.”

Coun. Brian Marconi agreed, saying 7:30 to 9 p.m. is often when soccer leagues wrap up.

Council also passed a motion to purchase and install about a dozen new school and playground zone signs at a cost not to exceed $5,000.

The 30 km/hr playground zones, of which there are seven in the community, are in effect from 8:30 a.m. to an hour after sunset every day of the year.

Brown said most of the school and playground zone signs in town are weathered and need replacing with newer signs that are brighter and reflective.

“Our playground and school ground signage needs some revitalization,” she said.

“They are pretty old and not very visible.”