Well done Summerland

If other small municipalities in Western Canada want to see how to handle a service interruption they can look to Summerland as a textbook example.

This past weekend, many Summerlanders were without water as a major $300,000 repair was required which resulted in a water line having to be shut down for the weekend. Thousands of water customers were without service.

District staff gave plenty of notice and many Summerlanders went out of town for the weekend or made other arrangements. Even the local hockey team had to play in Penticton (more on that later.) Nobody was caught off guard. Communications were excellent. Staff and elected officials were on hand all weekend at the aquatics centre setting up a communications centre. The local Nester’s Market donated 300 cases of water for those in need. (Keep that in mind the next time you’re about to jump in your car and drive to Costco in Kelowna.)

A group dubbed the “water angels” volunteered to help out which included the Summerland Steam junior hockey — extremely generous considering they were there Saturday, the morning of a crucial Game 7 playoff battle (which the Steam won.)

The crews did an amazing job and had the lines pressurized by mid-afternoon Sunday. They worked overnight and were ahead of schedule. They were also pleasant to deal with.

The community was also great. Almost everyone was taking it in stride and had an extremely positive attitude, even, in many cases, a sense of humour.

The business community, when contacted by The Herald on Thursday had a great attitude, making lemonade out of lemons. Most took it as an opportunity to do some odd jobs that they didn’t have time to do when their businesses were opened.

It was like going to camp for the weekend for many Summerlanders.

Well done by all!

Crews, staff, community great during the shutdown

—James Miller