The steady stream of semi-trailer trucks hauling scrap metal to a site near Buck’s Auto Parts south of Saskatoon has come to an end.

The RM of Corman Park issued a ‘stop work’ order to halt the loads that have been rolling in from across the three western provinces since last summer.

Corman Park officials met with the company responsible for the growing stockpile of scrap metal on Wednesday, October 6. An agreement was reached that will see the company remove the scrap metal and transport it to Regina, where the metal will eventually be recycled.

Corman Park Chief Administrative Officer Ken Kolb said the agreement is positive for both area residents and the companies involved. Buck’s Auto Parts, located on a 40-acre parcel of land, is associated with a separate company responsible for stockpiling the metal on an adjacent site.

Kolb added that discussions regarding a possible future relocation of the Buck’s Auto Parts are ongoing.

“We are looking to identify alternative sites for the business,” said Kolb. “It is a long-standing business and we did not want to shut it down, but it appears its current location may not be appropriate, given the large number of residences in the immediate vicinity.”

Kolb noted that there will still be two or three semi-trailer trucks per day travelling to and from the site of the scrap metal stockpile for some time to come. But instead of hauling metal in, they’ll be taking it away.

“There should not be any more material being hauled in. The trucks will be coming in empty and leaving fully loaded,” said Kolb. “The stockpile is quite high, so it will take a while before it’s completely removed.

“Overall, it’s a very positive outcome for residents of the area.”

A large pile of scrap metal in the RM of Corman Park south of Saskatoon raised concerns

The issue was raised by ratepayers at a Corman Park council meeting on Monday, September 20. During that meeting, residents voiced concerns over noise, traffic, dust and potential environmental contamination at the site.

An estimated 100 semi-trailer trucks per day have been hauling scrap metal to the site since July. A stockpile of scrap metal had accumulated to the height of a three-storey building.