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The wooded area near the Mel Hegland Uniplex has been a concern for nearby residents. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)
safety

Increased outdoor lighting coming to Mel Hegland Uniplex

Nov 16, 2023 | 5:04 PM

Town council has decided to move ahead with installing more outdoor lighting at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

The decision to do so was made Tuesday at a regular La Ronge council meeting. The plan calls for an estimated $5,500 to be spend to provide flood lights along the building and on an existing pole.

Earlier this year, community members expressed safety concerns regarding the wooded area near the rink. Last month, volunteers were permitted to cut down trees in the area to improve sight lines in hopes of limiting unwanted behaviour.

On Oct. 24, administration received direction from council to investigate options for additional lighting in the area.

“There was some concerns about crime,” Coun. Terry Hunt said.

“There were some people hanging around back in that area making it kind of an unpleasant experience for people who wanted to walk there to go public skating and stuff, and we had a bunch of concerned citizens go back in there and they cleaned it up and it made it look really nice.”

Hunt explained the Northern Lights School Division also plans on increasing light on the exterior of Churchill Community High School. He expects the new lighting to be installed outside of the rink in the next few weeks.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com