The City of Airdrie has bragging rights after placing second in the 14th annual Alberta Public Works Association Equipment Roadeo in Red Deer on Sept. 15 and 16.
Airdrie beat many much larger municipalities such as Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Red Deer and was only bested by St. Albert.
“It was quite a challenge and you really need to concentrate,” said Daniel Foerester, Airdrie roads coordinator.
“It showcases our skills.”
Nineteen teams of municipal public works staff tested their skills with the equipment they use everyday such as graders, loaders and excavators.
The challenges included a backhoe course, a loader course, a grader course, a single-axle course and a skid steer course. Seven members of the 20-member Public Works team took part in the challenge.
Foerester attributes the team’s high ranking to frequent and comprehensive training.
“It speaks to our great operators and exceptional training,” said Foerester.
“In order to do well in this competition, you have to know your stuff, be skilled and have talent. The citizens of Airdrie can be proud of the Public Works department.”
He said different equipment requires varying degrees of training but a grader operator undergoes about 40 hours per year.
“We learn about how to maintain the equipment and how to avoid dangers by being alert,” said Foerester.
“It gives us the skills we need to do the best job every day.”
Foerester said the group does its best everyday and it shows.
“It is not just our job, we really enjoy it,” he said.
“We are putting the City of Airdrie on the map.”
The City of Airdrie has taken part in the Alberta Public Works Association Equipment Roadeo for seven years, but this year marks the highest ranking.
