Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/96024
TL1301-proof 11/22/12 10:05 AM Page 1 Redekopp - Continued From Page 49 strike is resolved. A tough task and do not know if I can do it. We, as fans control the money and therefore the game. We just keep putting up with the owners and players treating us poorly. As hockey fans, we flock back when the strikes are resolved. We are a sure thing. If the buildings were empty, ratings were down, and revenues declined, for a long period of time, the NHL and the players would avoid strikes. It's kind of like the Leafs. No need to improve because they sell out every game and make the most money in the league. Why improve? Leaf fans seem to be happy with what they put on the ice every year. Send me your letters, Leaf fans! TLN: You're kind of becoming a social media guru and have an excellent blog about Greywolf Turf Management. I would assume you will keep at it at Bearspaw but what would you say to other Superintendents about the pros and cons of using social media, i.e. Twitter and the internet to talk turf? DR: How about I muck around, definitely not a guru. I am going to use these tools at Bearspaw and I would recommend other Superintendents use them. Again, I think it is a way to instantly talk to members through words, pictures, and video. It creates a brand for yourself and your department. A disadvantage is it takes time and adds another task to an already busy "to- do" list. Try and post regularly (something I have been guilty of not completing recently at Greywolf). If you would not post it in the club newsletter do not post it online. Watch what you put on Twitter. Use pictures whenever possible. I get more hits on Twitter from pictures than anything I write. Do not complain about members or guests. It is a public forum. Use it to teach rather than complain. Do not be afraid to talk about problems. It shows you are aware of the issue and dealing with them. Also use social media to promote your staff and your staff activities. I have had staff that investigated our Facebook page and blog and commented they want to join our team because it looks like we have fun. On their first day I send them out to dig a hole – sorry about that! Think that is called bait and switch in marketing! TLN: One last question and please be upfront as possible. What things should the WCTA and other associations need to do better for their respective members and the industry as whole? DR: I have been a proponent of the WCTA and BCGSA joining forces and combining into one association for years. I believe there is strength in numbers. Combining the two associations will reduce duplication of administrative costs and recordkeeping, as well as reduce the costs for industry and how often we approach industry for sponsorship. I believe combining the two associations would make for one strong association. Finally I just want to say thanks to the team at Greywolf, Panorama as well as all my colleagues in the WCTA and BCGSA. It has been great and I look forward to staying in contact with everyone as well as seeing everyone at conferences and events. 50 WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION IN THE MEDIA BY WAWMEESH G. HAMILTON ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS ALBERNI COUNCIL NIXES PESTICIDE BYLAW only effective in controlling small weeds and soft plants. Bark mulching of shrub beds was used with moderate success. The method chokes down weeds while keeping soil moist and cooling roots. Kenny pointed out the product Fiesta to illustrate how much a holistic measure costs. The city would have to spend $32,000 to apply four applications of it on city playing fields per year. In comparison, one application of Killex would cost $1,600 to apply and would last four years. The bylaw was also cumbersome and nearly impossible to enforce, Kenny said. The city is taking its cue from the provincial Report of the Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides in rescinding its bylaw. The committee researched the issue by examining regulatory framework, heard from more than 8,600 participants and looked at bans in other cities. "...despite the intensity of the arguments in favour of the ban on cosmetic use of pesticides... there is insufficient scientific evidence to support a provincewide ban on pesticides for cosmetic use," an excerpt from the report notes. "The majority of the committee supports using science based evidence and will not restrict access to products that are approved for safe use in Canada." Despite its good intentions the city of Port Alberni has rescinded its pesticide reduction bylaw. The city will instead follow an annual pest management plan with an eye to reducing pesticide use in the city where it can. The bylaw was approved in 2009, and sought to protect the environment by restricting the nonessential use of pesticides. City staff implemented a series of holistic measures as part of their pest management control regime with limited success, Parks and Recreation manager Scott Kenny said. Manual cultivation was attempted but was found to be too labour intensive, particularly in times of reduced staffing, Kenny said. Staff also attempted hard surface area burning at baseball fields in 2010. The method succeeded only in burning the tops of weeds but didn't impact the root area. Applications of a vinegar solution was tried next but again didn't impact the plants' roots. The method was Reprinted with persmission from the Alberni Valley News INDUSTRY NEWS VIA PRESS RELEASE SARATOGA BEACH TO RE-OPEN IN 2013 The Saratoga Beach Golf Club is set to re-open in early 2013 under new management. Located in Black Creek, in the North Comox Valley region of Vancouver Island, the golf course has been closed for the past two of seasons for financial reasons. KJG Golf Services owned and operated by Keith Gibson (operator of the Long Beach Golf Course and current PGA of BC Past President) and his PGA of Canada Professional Lance Barber are taking over the operation at Saratoga Beach Golf Club. "Saratoga Beach Golf Club is a great community asset and this 9-hole Par 33 Executive style golf course will add to the regions' robust outdoor recreational activities", said Gibson. "Junior golf programs and a family fun environment are our objectives for the golf course", added Barber. The golf course plays to 2,316 yards over 33 acres that includes a full length driving range. The course is currently undergoing some maintenance with hope that the driving range will be open by February 2013 and the golf course by March 2013. Green fee rates, pass holder packages and lesson rates are currently in the works. For more information visit golfsaratogabeach.com or contact Keith at 250-266-0356 / golf@island.net