Deep in the winter months and in the hours following those lake-effect flurries, it might do some good to see Arnold Shovelnator scraping past, or to watch De-ice De-ice Baby leaving salt and sand on the roads.
The Town of Collingwood has just launched a contest to name four of its snowplows before the snow flies.
Currently, the town is gathering any and all suggestions, which must be submitted by Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. The town will then make a shortlist from the submissions and open voting for residents. Winners will be announced mid-September so the names can be added to the plows before they're put to work.
Suggestions for names can be submitted online here.
“Community input is an important part of our decision-making, and this is a fun initiative that all ages can participate in. Collingwood is a very creative town and I’m excited to see the names our residents come up with,” said Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer in a news release from the town.
Collingwood has a team of 20 staff who take on the task of keeping roads and sidewalks clear of snow. The team includes operators, patrollers and a mechanic.
There are six plow routes covering approximately 320 land kilometres of road. There are also five sidewalk routes covering 85 kilometres of sidewalk.
"While naming the snowplows doesn’t directly improve performance, it does boost spirits during the long and dark winter days," states the town news release.
Suggestions can be submitted via the 'Ideas' tool on the Engage Page at engage.collingwood.ca/