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Prince Albert to pitch in on city-wide clean up

Apr 29, 2016 | 5:00 PM

It’s time for spring cleaning in Prince Albert and local schools, organizations, friends and neighbors are joining up to get the work done.

It’s all a part of the city’s annual “Pitch-In Week” campaign which takes place from May 1 to 7.

The Prince Albert Downtown Business Improvement District (PADBID) is encouraging people to get a group together and register with the committee.

Lori Bourne, event co-ordinator with PADBID, said there are already a number of groups registered to help clean-up the city.

“Pitch-in is a time when we want to make our city beautiful and in order to do that we have to clean up some of the garbage that happens after the snow all melts and you can see the grass starting to grow,” she said. “We’d just like to pick up the garbage and the litter and just give it that appearance of cleanliness and give our city a good name.”

She said it’s a good chance to show some neighbourhood pride.

There will be a number of clean-up events held throughout the week with different schools going out on specific days.

Ward one councillor Charlene Miller has a full week of cleaning-up planned for her area from May 2 to 6. Residents who want to help Miller can meet at Parkland Hall at 9 a.m. Each day.

Beyond those in the neighbourhood, Miller’s efforts will be joined by students at nearby schools.

Riverside Community School in Ward 3 is sending all 400 of their students to help out.

Bourne said PADBID and the city are teaming on May 4 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. for a day of cleaning.

“City Hall will have a bunch of employees and any downtown business or group can join in. We’re just going to clean up the downtown area and just get out there and pitch in,” she said.

Bourne said residents who want to help out can get all the supplies then need at the PADBID office.

“We have the garbage bags and the gloves, you just need to come in and pick them up and then you can go off and do your thing. We just appreciate it,” Bourne said.

She is also encouraging groups to take pictures, which PADBID would be happy to promote.

Unfortunately, not all pieces of garbage are as easily picked up. Bourne said there are plans in place in case a picker comes across a needle in his or her cleaning.

“If you’re on your own and you find a needle, always use a glove on your hand, pick it up with the needle facing downward. If you have something like a Pepsi bottle, you can stick the needle into the bottle and that way it’s out of the way. Then the needles can simply be returned to Access Place on 15 Street.”

Bourne said to get involved in any of the events throughout the week head to the city’s website to register

 

swallace@panow.com

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