The RV sani-dump station at the Ponoka Stampede campground is now open.
The decision came over the weekend from the Ponoka Stampede Association (PSA) and work was done on June 8 to cordon off the area so that those with campers, holiday trailers and motor homes could access and use the facility immediately.
This followed a number of complaints expressed by the public and on social media wondering why the dump site, which is the only one in Ponoka, was still closed while others in surrounding communities, which are municipally operated, were being opened up.
“All of the COVID-19 restrictions has meant the closure of the campground and the office and they will continue to remain closed,” said PSA president Bruce Harbin in a phone interview on June 8.
“Work has been done with panels to separate the sani-dump station from the rest of the area so we can provide this service at this time.”
The expectation of those using the facility is that they drop their payment in the box provided then proceed to empty their camper and sanitize the surfaces they touched before leaving the site.
The cost per use is $5, which helps offset the expense of emptying the dump station as well as the overall operation and upkeep of the campground.
There will be no other services available and only very limited sanitizing supplies will be on hand.
“There will be some sanitation supplies there for people to use, but using the station will be at the people’s own risk,” said Harbin, adding people are expected to have their own gloves for the task.
“We anticipate people to respect the honour system at the station — pay, dump and leave.”
The Town of Ponoka announced on June 9 that it is providing an interim RV waste dump site, free of charge.
The location is a legal dump site being offered by the town to local RV owners as an interim option for emptying their waste tanks. The location is designed for or septic haulers and does not provide rinse water.
Call 403-783-4431 for more information.