Cochrane Fire Services, Inspector Jeff Avery, is imploring the public to stay off of Cochrane's stormwater retention ponds.

Despite repeating the same message year after year, Avery was surprised to learn that almost every stormwater pond in Cochrane has evidence of foot traffic even though some are visibly nowhere near frozen.

After receiving a call regarding an abandoned soccer ball in the middle of the pond from a concerned citizen in Sunset Ridge, Avery and crew decided to investigate. "I don't know if the kids were playing on the ice but there was a ball on there and so we had our crew throw on some ice rescue gear and we used it as a training session. We got the ball off of there, and then I decided to take a drive around and look at all the retention ponds."

With visible footprints, Avery shares weather has not been nearly cold enough for any ice surface to be considered stable. "We want to remind people to tell their kids to stay off the ice and that everyone should stay off the ice. No matter how cold it gets, retention ponds are not made for any kind of activity."

Inspector Avery shares residents should be aware that stormwater ponds are not tested for thickness, the depth of the water is unknown, and freezing occurs unevenly. "We don't want adults, kids or anybody to be skating or playing on there. I have noticed there are a lot of footprints on the ice right now and even though half of the ponds are open and the other half is frozen, people are still walking on them. So it is completely dangerous this time of year."

Placing signs around many of Cochrane's bodies of water, Avery is hoping residents will abide by staying off the ice. "We just can't have kids walking along the ponds or the river; I even put signs out by the Jumping Pound Creek. It's not deep, but it doesn't take much for somebody to slip underneath the ice."

Although every platoon working for Cochrane Fire Services is certified in ice rescue, it can still take crews seven minutes plus by the time they are dispatched, arrive on scene, gear up, and tie-in. "Hypothermia will set in in minutes and depending on the water temperature it doesn't take long before you show signs and your muscles start to shut down."

Although harsh sounding, a deadly tragedy could await if you chance walking, playing, and skating on the ponds. The unfortunate loss of a six-year-old Airdrie boy last February is a tragic reminder of how serious the consequence can be. "I know nobody in this department wants to have to go and deal with something like that when it is preventable."

Enforcement of keeping community members off the ice can be tricky but is something the department will continue to push. If people are refusing to abide and you witness kids on the ponds, Avery says, give the reminder that despite what it looks like, no ice is safe ice. "I have no problem with adults giving a little shout out to 'get off the ice', but if they don't, give 911 a call and we'll go up there and deal with it.

You are welcome to skate at Mitford Ponds or the Tim Bannister outdoor rink at Centennial Park if ice conditions are safe. Town crews monitor conditions closely at the sites but you are reminded to call 403-851-2552 to check their status before lacing up and heading out.