By Nigel Maxwell

Delays in road freezing concerns Northern First Nation

Jan 11, 2011 | 5:15 AM

People who depend on a Northern Saskatchewan ice road are expressing concern over the safety of the ice.

The Wollaston Lake Ice Road typically opens in mid-February. It provides a winter passage for people who drive into Prince Albert for groceries and supplies.

The lake is freezing way behind schedule, said Ed Benoanie, a councillor with the Hatchet Lake First Nation.

“Normally we have, in the beginning of December, cold snaps for a couple of weeks of 35, 40 below … that hasn't happened this year and the pressures ridges haven't formed either.”

Benoanie said in terms of supplies they are doing okay for now.

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“The basics we have, like the milk and the perishables, we can fly them in but the price goes high … so people, what they do is take a risk going across the lake going down south and bringing back truckloads of food to stock up through the winter.”

Fuel cannot be flown in and Benoanie said there are concerns what will happen if the road doesn't open. He estimates they have enough propane to last until the end of February.

A spokesperson with the Ministry of Highways is confident the road will open on time.

“We haven't got all the results in from the ice testing, that'll tell us how close we are … but we are looking at a month and a half for our average opening at that location,” said Kirsten Leatherdale.

Leatherdale cautions people against using the ice road until it has been approved safe to do so.

nmaxwell@panow.com