Submitted by Yvonne Sabraw on behalf of Grounds Committee
What a busy and productive season! The Grounds Committee has consistently had more than 15 items on its agenda and we’ve been meeting every 2 weeks through the summer. Here are the highlights:
Grounds has 8 members, but what we don’t have is a Pest Control go-to person. This role involves keeping our pest supplies (primarily ant traps, mouse traps and wasp spray) available in the shed, helping members use these effectively when they ask, and contacting our pest control contractor, Poulin’s when the job is too big for the member. Let us know if this is role that you would like to play. Ideally 2 people would share this position
The Sunnyside Mural project. We were as surprised as everyone that our enclosure was only covered on 2 sides. For our committee this is the now an exercise in Transparency and we’ve been on a fact-finding mission. Members will receive a full written explanation with some carefully considered thoughts on the matter soon. So far we have only released a cheque for half of the donation ($250) that the membership voted to give to the Sunnyside Mural Project at the July 28th meeting. We’ll be seeking members thoughts at a general meeting before releasing further funds.
We are going forward with our arborist, Bartlett’s, recommendations for much of the tree management. Thanks to membership for your feedback when we sent out their report in August. No date has been set for their visit but we’re expecting it in October.
The Playground inspection was performed. The report is available to members, just email us. There are some items which could involve a Playground-focussed working-bee and will also show up in our budget request for 2021.
Our winter snow-clearing contract has been a big focus as we will be going with a new contractor. We will be looking for feedback from the membership to help us evaluate the new contractors. Information will follow once the contract is signed by the Board.
Access to the back yards of #742-#746. You will be seeing a contractor building a raised path at the south side of the Food Forest in the next month.
SHC Gardening Club: we are excited about this new idea! Members are responsible for taking care of the common spaces in our coop, other than grass cutting and major tree management. We want to test out a new approach starting next spring. Details will be coming your way in the next few months, and we hope that many members are inspired to dream of the days when they will be weeding gardens and trimming hedges as they get down to scraping ice off their windshields!
Remember, we always welcome your suggestions and concerns (also, thanks for the kudos received from members over the summer - much appreciated!!) you can reach us at shcgrounds@shaw.ca. If you’re thinking about joining Grounds, our next meeting is Monday October 5th, 6:00-7:30pm. It will be a virtual one so email us for the Zoom details.