Calgary inches forward as clean-up efforts continue

Clean-up efforts in Calgary are well underway as the city works to prepare for next week's Stampede.

The city remains in a state of local emergency and officials are urging residents to dispose of waste and flood-damaged goods correctly. There have been several reports of residents dumping waste in vacant lots and alleyways.

Emergency dumping facilities have been set up for mud, solid and slurry waste from basements, underground parking facilities and other buildings in the hopes that residents will not dump in the river.

Dumping facilities are located at:

• Spring Gardens 1025 32 Avenue N.E.
• Highfield/Bonnybrook 1442 46 Avenue S.E.

Improper dumping is regulated by Alberta Environment and the Department of Fisheries. The city is warning incidents will be investigated.

Transit hub for volunteers

Officials have also established a volunteer transportation hub to minmize trafficin Erlton, Elbow Park and Mission as volunteers enter the areas to help with clean-up efforts.

The hub is based at Mount Royal University.Volunteers can park theirvehicles at the huband then be taken by bus to three community support centres between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Volunteers will be given personal protective equipment and sent throughout Erlton, Elbow Park and Mission to help with the clean-up efforts.

They will be bussed back to the transportation hub between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Volunteers not wanting to use the transportation hub can also walk or bike to the communities.

The city also announced Sunday morning that eastbound Memorial Drive is open with one lane between 10 Street N.W. to Edmonton Trail N.E.

Water restrictions lifted

As of 12 a.m. on June 30, outdoor water use restrictions have been lifted for all Calgary residents, including those in Airdrie, Chestermere and Strathmore.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, Calgarians are still being asked to limit water use in an effort to conserve the city's supply.

Boating, rafting, kayaking and all other water sports are still banned on both the Bow and Elbow rivers at this time.

Calgarians are asked to stay away from river banks until further notice, as many are unstable due to recent flooding.

While Canada Day celebrationsincluding fireworks are still happening, the city is warning residents not to watch from areas near the river because of bank instability.

Community support centre closes

The city also announced the closure of the Chinatown/Eau Claire community support centre on Sunday.

As of noon Sunday, there will be five remaining community support centres.

The locations of the remaining support centres are:

• Bowness Community Association 7904 43 Avenue N.W.
• Cliff Bungalow/Mission Community Association 2201 Cliff Street S.W.
• Elbow Park Tennis Club 800 34 Avenue S.W.
• Park Hill/Stanley Park Community Association 4013 Stanley Road N.W.
• Hillhurt/Sunnyside Community Association 1320 Fifth Avenue N.W.

Those who are not able to return to their homes can access reception centres for food and access to specialized services but must register at Centre Street Church first.