City provides ice safety reminder following first major snowfall

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 28, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

Following the first major snowfall of the season the City of Medicine Hat is reminding residents to check the thickness of ice before walking or skating and avoid the South Saskatchewan River at all times.

City staff recommended the ice surface on a body of water must be at least four inches thick for activities and those conditions may vary depending on weather conditions.

It’s recommended to watch for warning signs on the ice which includes slushy areas or cracks and discoloured ice. Try to avoid inlets, outlets and moving water.

Staff suggest carrying safety gear including ice picks, rope and a whistle and say wearing a life jacket over winter clothing can add protection. Children should also be supervised while playing on or near ice.

New sandbox location

Hatters looking for free sidewalk sand for their sidewalks are encouraged to visit one of five yellow boxes located around the city.

The concrete structure which held sidewalk sand outside the city’s Municipal Works building has been moved across Kipling Street and is now in the parking lot on the east side of the Kinsmen Skate Plaza.

The other four locations remain the same and include Fourth Avenue NE behind the Shamrock Bottle Depot, Big Marble Go Centre’s north parking lot, Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s parking lot west of the Kinplex and Southlands Drive near Chartwell Place.

Supply is available on a first come, first served basis and residents are asked to bring their own container and shovel and limit your haul to one container per visit.

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