UAFS grounds crews will make certain campus is safe for all during any winter weather.
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UAFS Crews Prepare Campus for Winter Storm with Updated Ice Control Plan
Written By: Tina Alvey Dale
With a winter storm moving into the area Friday (Jan. 23), University of Arkansas – Fort Smith grounds crews are working diligently to keep the campus functioning and safe.
UAFS Police Chief Ray Ottman monitors the weather for the university, prepared to send out notices if any bad weather is approaching, said Samantha Gillespie, director of facilities and environmental safety. Gillespie and the chief are also in constant communication with Sebastian County Department of Emergency Management, so they stay aware of any alerts concerning weather or natural disasters.
“This communications go around prepping all of us for winter weather, tornadoes, storms, that sort of thing,” Gillespie said.
The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday (Jan. 21) that a winter storm will move in on Friday and be here for a few days.
Weather forecasts call for widespread snow, prolonged bitter cold, and windy conditions in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley this weekend.
“This is going to be a significant storm. Plan accordingly,” the department posted. “Travel in Sebastian County will be impacted through the weekend.”
Gillespie said campus crews are checking exterior water valves and fuel in backup generators, HES Facilities Management in Fort Smith, which is contracted to care for the grounds at UAFS, is adding snowplows to their utility vehicles now, she said.
“We have already trimmed trees in case of ice and are working with housing to lodge grounds personnel for overnight stay so they can work on the walkways,” Gillespie said.
The main concern during winter weather is to make certain students in on-campus housing get a meal.
“The sidewalks from housing to the Lion’s Den dining hall and the library are our first priorities. Then we will work our way out and ensure that Stubblefield Center has a clear path for the games on Friday,” Gillespie said.
The UAFS v. Emporia doubleheader basketball games, originally set for Saturday (Jan. 24), have been moved to 3:30 p.m. (women’s) and 5:30 p.m. (men’s) Friday at Stubblefield Center.
Josh Rice, grounds manager for HES, said that unlike in the past, crews will not use any salt on sidewalks or parking lots to counter the ice.
Crews strictly will use sand or Liquid Shovel to keep areas safe and passable.
“In the past we have used the salts in our materials. Once we de-iced the space, we weren’t great at cleaning up that residue, so it would be caked on the front entrances,” Gillespie said. “With this liquid product. That will not be the case.”
The Liquid Shovel product works just as good as salt at keeping areas from being slippery, so there is no need to be concerned with falling, Rice said.
“What we are using now works well and will eliminate all the mess,” he said.
But the most important part for all concerned is the safety of everyone on campus.
“Winter weather safety is a shared responsibility across Facilities, HES Grounds, and UPD. Together, we will be monitoring conditions, walking buildings, and applying ice-prevention solutions to sidewalks and parking areas," Gillespie said.