Snow removal and winter conditions on campus
Facilities Management staff work hard to keep sidewalks, roads, handicap access, main entrances and parking lots clear of snow and ice. Reducing snow and ice hazards are top priorities for our team and the University. You can contribute to safety on campus by reporting areas of concern and using good judgment in navigating your environment.
Weather is unpredictable and the forecast doesn’t always match up with reality. During or after a heavy snowfall, it may take hours or days to clear the snow and ice from the entire campus. We appreciate your patience and understanding when this happens, knowing that we are working to create the safest environment possible. Once snow and ice have been cleared, conditions can still remain slick, so slow down, be aware of your surroundings and take care. See “How can I prevent slip, trips and falls?”, below, for safety tips and strategies.
Status updates
Be on the lookout for icy patches when you're walking. Tap your foot on potentially slick areas to see if they are slippery and walk as flat-footed as possible. If an area seems dangerous, use an alternative route.
Note: Extreme cold and/or extreme weather conditions will delay response times, as will staffing levels and equipment issues.
In early 2023, the University implemented an updated snow removal plan to provide more efficient clearing of high-traffic areas. All areas of the grounds — including entrances, pathways and parking lots — have been categorized in terms of priorities. Our existing resources have been reallocated to provide more coverage over a longer period of time. A hierarchy of snow removal stages frames what work will be done and when. As some areas of campus will be receiving more resources, lower priority areas will take longer to clear.
Did you 'snow'? Learn more about Mount Royal's snow removal program.
Of course, every weather event is different. Removing 10 centimetres of light, fluffy snow can be completed three to four times more quickly than removing 10 cm of heavy, wet or compacted snow. Freezing rain brings its own hazards and mitigation challenges. Being aware of conditions on campus means you can make informed decisions on which routes to take. Timelines on snow removal and ice control include:
- Roads, walkways and entrances are to be cleared within 24 hours after a snowfall (in accordance with city bylaws).
- Parking lots are to be cleared within 48 hours after a snowfall (in accordance with city bylaws). We typically have them done in 24 hours.
- If it snows after 6:30 p.m., snow clearing tasks begin the following morning. If the snowfall continues throughout the day, snow removal procedures will begin at Priority 1 the next day.
Reporting an area that needs attention
If you see an area on campus that requires snow removal or ice control, report it to Facilities Management by calling 403.440.6417, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also report it on MRU Now under Frontline Request. If an area seems unsafe, use an alternate route.
If you or someone else slips and falls, report the incident to Security Services at 403.440.5900. In the case of an emergency, call 911. Employees, notify your manager and file a report with EHS. You can also do this under “Report an Incident” on the MRU Now app. Visit mru.ca/ehs for more details. Students, if needed, contact Early Support to connect with resources and supports, and fill out an incident report.
These are the University’s priorities in order of importance. Our goal is to clear to bare concrete in Priority 1 and 2*, depending on the amount of snow. We will maintain access as per Priority 1 assignments with continuous snowfall. Once the snow has stopped, we will start to move through the priority list. Here is a high-level overview of the priorities. *On Thursday and Fridays, prioritization of secondary entrances and emergency exits vary, depending on the level of snowfall, resources available (including staff) and weather conditions.
Priority 1
- Accessible access
- Roadways
- Main campus sidewalks
- Main entrances and secondary entrances and emergency exits
- Parking lots (contractor)
Priority 2
- Parking lots: traction control, passible laneways, parking stalls may have snow and ice
- East and West Residence sidewalks and steps
- Courtside interior
Priority 3
- Parkade
- Tidy up
- Clear garbage bins
- Clear fire lanes
Afternoons and weekends
Our goal is clear snow to bare concrete in Priority 1 and 2 depending on the amount of snowfall. Please see stages. We will maintain access as per Priority 1 assignments with continuous snowfall, once snow has stopped then we will start to move through the priority list.
Priority 1
- Accessible access: Maintain access from stalls to entrances in Lot 1, 2, 4, 5, 6A, 7. Ramps at EC (2), Residence building B (2), EA building (3)
- Main entrance access: EC building (front), EA building, EB building, East Gate, West Gate, Recreation, Wyckham House, Day Care, Library (West and East entrance), Conservatory stairs and Parkade
Priority 2
Secondary entrances and emergency exits; T-wing Crossover, T-Wing level 1, back of EC building, Gauthier court, Memorial garden
The University’s Snow Removal Stage Planning provides clear guidelines for how crews will work through six levels levels of winter weather, determined by the impact on campus. The areas to be cleared depend on the level of snowfall, resources available (including staff) and weather conditions. Learn more.
Follow these tips to make sure you're staying safe when walking in snowy and icy conditions:
- Walk like a penguin.
- Walk slowly and carefully. Wear boots or other slip-resistant footwear.
- Choose snow-free pathways.
- Use special care when getting in and out of vehicles. Use the vehicle for support if you need to do so.
- Watch for slippery floors when you enter a building.
- Avoid carrying items, or walking with your hands in your pockets; this can reduce your ability to catch yourself if you lose your balance.
- Instead, use a backpack or over-the-shoulder bag if possible.
- Watch out for black ice.
- Tap your foot on potentially slick areas to see if the areas are slippery.
- Walk as flat-footed as possible in very icy areas.
- Avoid uneven surfaces if possible. Avoid steps or curbs with ice on them.
- If an area seem dangerous, use an alternate route.
- Report any untreated areas to Facilities Management. Help us keep you safe!
How were the snow removal priorities determined?
Crews tackle high-traffic, high-volume areas first in order to provide safe access to buildings on campus. Work is completed from the main buildings outward, starting with sidewalks and entryways to East and West Gates, the Riddell Learning and Library Centre, and Rec. You can find more information in the Snow removal priorities and Snow removal stages and maps sections on this page.
How is snow removal done?
Grounds staff use a combination of machinery, equipment and products to remove snow and control ice. When fully staffed, the crew consists of four employees operating sidewalk units of varying sizes, two employees hand shoveling at entrances and two employees plowing roads. On Thursdays and Fridays, these tasks are divided amongst six employees; on weekends, there are two employees scheduled with more on call if needed.
Who is responsible for clearing snow and ice on the Mount Royal campus?
Grounds, as part of Facilities Management, is responsible for removing snow and ice on campus. We work with Environmental Health & Safety to help identify trouble areas, along with other key stakeholders such as Parking and Security. Our staff completes and oversees snow removal and ice control on the 119 acres of campus, including 13 kilometres of sidewalk, 330 doorways, 16 accessibility ramps, 225 sets of stairs, approximately 3,400 parking stalls and more.
When will the snow and ice be removed from a certain area?
Snow and ice are removed based on the priorities listed above. The University’s actions are dictated by the priorities, staged response plan and weather conditions. Our response is also shaped by the level of snowfall, resources available (including staff) and weather conditions.
Who should I contact if I see an area that I think is unsafe?
If you see an area on campus that requires snow removal or ice control, report it to Facilities Management by calling or texting 403-440-6417, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also report it on MRU Now under Frontline Request. If an area seems unsafe, use an alternate route.
What if I fall or I see that someone else has fallen?
If you or someone else slips and falls, report the incident to Security Services at 403.440.5900. In the case of an emergency, call 911. Employees, notify your manager and file a report with EHS. You can also do this under “Report an Incident” on the MRU Now app. Visit mru.ca/ehs for more details. Students, if needed, contact Early Support to connect with resources and supports, and fill out an incident report.
What is done with reports from the campus community?
If a report comes in during a snowfall event, it will be reviewed once crews have completed Priority 1 work. A dedicated staff member triages Frontline reports, alerting crews to any emergency situations.
How quickly will an area be cleared once I report it?
Depending on the stage of snowfall, any issues should be dealt with within 24-48 hours.
What areas is Facilities Management responsible for clearing?
Our staff completes and oversees snow removal and ice control on the 119 acres of campus, including 13 kilometres of sidewalk, 330 doorways, 16 accessibility ramps, 225 sets of stairs, approximately 3,400 parking stalls and more.
How will I know if an area on campus is closed due to snow/ice?
There will be signage placed on pathways/areas/roads that are closed. Also, we will share the information in a variety of ways, including notifications on myMRU and mru.ca/Snow. If there are widespread concerns/closures, the Mount Royal community will receive an email with detailed instructions. Social media will also provide updates as appropriate.
What should I do if I see signage that a pathway/road is closed?
If a pathway or roadway is closed, it means that the area is not safe. Please use an alternate route.
What should I do if the usual path/road I use looks unsafe?
Report the conditions by calling or texting 403-440-6417, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also report it on MRU Now under Frontline Request. Take an alternate route or walk in an adjacent area that provides better footing.
How are the roads and parking lots cleared?
Mount Royal works with an outside contractor for snow removal and ice control in the parking lots on campus. This contractor also provides support for clearing roads when needed.