Pigeons In Their Parlour Has Tourism MJ Cooing For Emergency Scratch

Monday was a great day for pigeons in Moose Jaw.

The sun was out, shining on the eastern side of the Moose Jaw Tourism building as a good dozen pigeons were out sunning themselves.

Meanwhile, on the western side of the same building workers were putting the finishing touches in cleaning up the mess the pigeons had left inside of the attic area.

While a request was being made to City Council to finance the work at the tourism centre questions were asked.

A major pigeon infestation had rendered the Moose Jaw Tourism Centre unsafe and unhealthy for staff and visitors alike. Staff had been working out of a trailer in the parking lot.

At Monday’s Council meeting during discussion Councillor Dawn Luhning asked the question many in the community have been asking.

“How did that building get to that state without someone noticing?” Councillor Luhning asked.

“I really want to know how that wasn’t caught beforehand,” she said.

Pigeons sun themselves on the Moose Jaw Tourism building Monday morning - MJ Independent photo

City manager Maryse Carmichael referred the question to Tourism Moose Jaw.

Tourism Moose Jaw’s Executive Director Donna Fritzke said she had been at the centre for just under a year when the pigeons were noticed entering through air vents into the attic.

Fritzke said contractors told her the pigeons had been in the attic area for years.

There were a large numbers of birds dead in the attic.

“It’s just unfortunate this has happened.”

Council discussion turned towards how to finance the cleanup, which is now completed.

Councillor Luhning questioned Administration’s line of credit recommendation.

In order to rectify the problem Tourism Moose Jaw has asked the City of Moose Jaw for an emergency loan of $73,500.

The loan would carry an interest rate of Bank of Nova Scotia prime minus 1.6% The money would be repaid in 2026.

The loan is needed as Tourism Moose Jaw is responsible for the upkeep of the City owned facility and they have no reserve funds.

“How is this going to affect the budget next year?” she asked.

A check of the insurance policy found the pigeon infestation is not covered leaving Tourism Moose responsible for the damages.

Ladders are out as the.final cleanup takes place on Monday morning - MJ Independent photo

In a two part motion Council voted 6 - 1 with Councillor Luhning opposed to fund the cleanup.

In the second part the line of credit recommendation was approved 4 - 3.

Councillors Luhning, Councillor Patrick Boyle and Councillor Jamey Logan were opposed to a line of credit funding model.