Town of Bow Island’s new municipal works manager excited to get started, meeting citizens
The Town of Bow Island welcomed its new Municipal Works Manager Troy Sandau -- just in time for the new year.
Born in Medicine Hat but raised in Redcliff, Troy Sandau graduated high school before making his way off to Olds College for welding. When he came back, he got on with the town of Redcliff in 2008. That's where he spent the last 14 and a half years before coming to Bow Island.
“I started out on the water side of things for the town. Then I grew and moved over to the roads department. We took care of installation, maintenance of all underground water and sewer, the infrastructure that way... pretty much anything below and above ground,” explained Sandau.
Sandau also has plenty of heavy machinery experience. For the past several years, he was looking for an opportunity to grow and advance his career, which wasn't possible at his now previous position.
“I saw this position, where I think my knowledge and abilities would be able to help continue the growth of Bow Island,” said Sandau. “I've got a fair bit of knowledge, but you never end your learning curve as an adult. I hope I can bring an element to Bow Island where it can continue to grow and, and improve where it is needed.”
His new team in Bow Island, is “already fantastic” said Sandau. He looks forward to working with all of them to keep the community running smoothly, both in proactive and reactive work.
“‘I've got a really good assistant in Ben Hirsekorn. He brings a lot of knowledge to the parks side of things with the pool, the arena, anything under the Parks and Rec. (portfolio). Ben's got a lot of knowledge there. On the mechanical side of things Ben is pretty mechanically savvy,” said Sandau.
Sandau presently lives out of town, and enjoys the 40 minute drive in every day, giving him a chance to get ready for the day, or to mull over projects for the next morning on his way home.
With Bow Island being roughly a third of the size of Redcliff, the sense of personal responsibility is greater, said Sandau, but it's something he's quickly coming to enjoy about the position.
“A big thing I've noticed my time here is, whether it's a business owner or a citizen, if I'm out, I get stopped and introduced and I've made a point of stopping in, at various businesses and just kind of shaking hands and, and seeing seeing some faces that that we do business with your town,” said
Sandau. So that will continue as the days go on, not only to get to know our suppliers and citizens from the business side, but to get to know them as a person. I think that's huge. And, and going forward. That's what's big in understanding the community, it's knowing the people.”
When he's not working in town, Sandau is a fan of both hockey and golf.
“My door is always open to meeting people. If you see me on the street, stop me to introduce yourself, and no concern is a bad concern. I want to know all the concerns and I want to fix (them)... I'm always available,” added Sandau. “I think Bow Island is a great place to not only live but to work as well.”