Medicine Hat to drain Celebration Park pond to remove invasive goldfish

The City of Medicine Hat will drain the pond at Celebration Park starting Monday to remove a large population of goldfish that were illegally released into the water and have since multiplied, the city said in a news release Friday.

There are more than 100 large goldfish in the pond, and city staff said there is potential for a significant number of eggs buried in the pond bottom as well. The pond will be left empty over the winter, with cold temperatures used to eliminate as many eggs as possible.

Goldfish are considered an invasive aquatic species. The city said residents should never release non-native fish or aquatic species into local water bodies and directed them to its public advisory for information on proper disposal.

Also starting Monday, the outside lane on the Dunmore Road hill will be closed to motorists traveling up the hill between Spencer Street SE and 13 Avenue SE for manhole repairs. The closure runs Oct. 19 to 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. All other lanes on that section of Dunmore Road will remain open.

Finlay Bridge will close to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, Oct. 21 for replacement of the centre street lights on the bridge. Weather permitting, the bridge will reopen by the end of that workday.

In a separate notice, the city reminded residents not to dispose of used batteries in the garbage. This includes rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and common household batteries such as AA, AAA, C and D cells. Damaged batteries can create a fire risk at waste facilities. Drop-off locations are listed at recycleyourbatteries.ca.

The city is also accepting applications until Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m. for residents to serve on several boards and commissions, including the Assessment Review Board, Municipal Planning Commission, Police Commission and Public Library Board. Applications can be submitted at medicinehat.ca/cityagencies.