The Village of Canal Flats is proud to introduce the members of our newly formed Water Protection and Conservation Advisory Committee.

They have a massive undertaking ahead of them in helping to develop and comprise innovative and implementable solutions to help Canal Flats repair and improve our infrastructure and keep our village running and growing for decades to come. Please join us in welcoming these invaluable volunteers and thanking them for their input and time.

Araleigh Alexander, formerly Cranch, spent the first 18 years of her life in Canal Flats. She moved to pursue higher education including an honours Bachelor of Science in physical geography from the University of Calgary and a Master of Science in groundwater and global change from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. She has recently moved back to the valley after studying abroad and working as an environmental consultant in Calgary.

“I am so excited to help my community create a resilient water supply with what I have learned from years of study and experience working in water quality, protection and stewardship,” she said.

Shawn Doherty has lived in Canal Fats for 60 years. He has been a member of the Canal Flats Community Society since inception and has been a member of the Improvement district before incorporation. He was a member of the Canal Flats Beach Club after BC Parks ceased funding it, and helped bridge the gap between no funding and Canal Flats incorporating and taking it over as a municipal park and not a provincial park.

“I grew up on well water here in town. Always cold and always good. Now that we are on a town system, I am still hoping we can find a solution to our water problems,” he said.  “Infrastructure needs attention and we as a group are hoping to come up with some recommendations to help the council make some informed decisions on what needs to get done on a priority basis. Looking forward to sharing this information with everyone as facts seem to be blurry in town now.”

Sjac Pronk has been living in Canal Flats for 48 of his 52 years. He has been working for the Village of Canal Flats since 2009 and for the last two years has assumed the role of Public Works Foreman. He has 15 years experience with our water system and knows it very well.

“I am a certified Water Distribution Level 2 Operator and have numerous other certificates relating to the water system. My number one priority is to provide safe, potable water for the residents of Canal Flats and have been striving to do so for the last 15 years”

Gayle Lake “I am pleased to say I have been a part of this community since 1980, when I started teaching skating. I then married, and raised our two children here, and they are now raising their families here. I look forward to playing a role in shaping the future of our water and infrastructure; as I feel if we don’t band together now and start to protect our water resources, the community may not be here for another 100 years.”

Jennifer Beverley works with Interior Health as an environmental health officer specializing in drinking water systems. She conducts onsite inspections of infrastructure and provides resources to water suppliers to improve operations and meet the Provincial legislative requirements. Jennifer also volunteers with local non-profits in lake stewardship and protection of our valuable water sources.

Village of Canal Flats

Article Share