Fifteen of the City of Calgary’s storm ponds will have extra safety measures installed this year. According to the city, the work will begin this month. Safety measures might include: Which safety measures are used will depend on the storm pond. Of the 15 storm ponds seeing enhancements, Legacy will have work done to both of its ponds that sit next to each other, including the one where seven-year-old Drihanna Matamona drowned last month. “Every day, you keep thinking about her, and now we just live close to the pond, so mostly every day you pass by there and the memories are coming back,” said Freizlia Massengo-Kilolo, Drihanna’s mother. Drihanna was non-verbal and autistic. She ran away from home July 12, and her father pulled her body from the storm pond located right next to a playground. Her family had called for improved safety measures, and they applaud the city’s efforts to strengthen safety in the area. “It’s good if they can build a fence, but whichever they’re going to do there, as long as it will avoid the kids going to the pond, that’s at least good,” said Massengo-Kilolo. Other ponds are in Mahogany, Auburn Bay, Copperfield, New Brighton, Saddleridge and Ellingston Park. The city says the measures are needed. “Enhanced vegetation, specifically prickly, thorny vegetation that creates a bit of a physical barrier,” said Nicole Sparks with the city’s stormwater operations department. “To show people it’s not a good idea to go through to the storm pond. We’ll also be using some fencing with vertical slats.” Drihanna’s family says these changes will hopefully save at least one life. “It can save lives, too. And Legacy, it’s a very young community, and there are a lot of young couples down with young kids.” Drihanna’s aunt, Gloria Massengo, says she is pleased the city has moved quickly to address the safety concerns. “What we wanted to do was something to prevent accidents happening,” said Massengo. So, the fact that the city is doing that is definitely going to help parents out there.” The city says stormwater safety measures have been planned for years, but the work being done this summer was planned out last year. The city says reviews are ongoing and additional storm ponds could be marked for extra safety measures. The city has made current storm pond work viewable on a map available online. In a release issued on Thursday, the city also encouraged Calgarians to make efforts to be safe. “It is important to remember that where there’s water, there’s risk,” the city said. “The importance of safety around storm ponds or any bodies of water cannot be understated. “Stormwater ponds are working stormwater facilities, not recreational areas. “Stay safe—stay off storm ponds.” The city has also made storm pond safety information available online.
