City of Kitchener’s first female snow plow operator parks her plow for very last time

Kim Rice has been with the City of Kitchener for 34 years, starting as a part-time parking cashier.

Rice says most of those years were spent behind the wheel of a big snow plow — a truck complete with a full plow and wing.

And for many of those years, she was the only woman plowing the streets for the city.

She says it was “challenging” at times. “Here's these older guys going … 'what is she doing here?'''

But things turned around quickly. Her all-male teammates were supportive, even holding a baby shower for her.

Rice tells CityNews she's always been a little non-traditional, and says she was also the first woman with the city to drive the Zamboni at The Aud.

She says there are now a few more women behind the wheel of the City of Kitchener's plows.

Rice says it's quite peaceful at times plowing in that big truck, especially at night when it's snowing. She says it's “relaxing” when there's not a lot of traffic.

The now-retired lead hand from the sanitation department is planning on spending more time with her grandchildren.

Her husband also retired from the City of Kitchener last year.