DIDSBURY - Town council has approved the 2021 capital budget, which calls for spending totalling $1,300,202, including $350,000 for the new skatepark project.
The move came by way of motion at the Jan. 26 council meeting, held by teleconference.
The capital budget items approved include the following:
• 20th Street stormwater drainage and surface improvements at a cost of $626,202. That project will see the stormwater drain tied into the storm main on 15th Avenue, which is the project that was completed in 2020. The project will also see rehabilitation of asphalt, curbs, gutters and sidewalks along 20th Street to formalize parking in the area.
• Didsbury Memorial Complex outlying plan skatepark at a cost of $350,000. The project will see the town work with New Line Skateparks and the Didsbury Sk8park Society to build the facility.
• MCR and lobby roof replacement at a cost of $160,000. The project will include the removal of membranes and flashings, the addition of slope packaging to address drainage issues, the application of torch-on bitumen roof, replacement of all drains, vents and roof jacks, and the installation of new flashings.
• 21st Street stormwater and surface improvement project planning and engineering at a cost of $30,000. That portion of the project will include the collection of survey data, refining project objectives and preparing the tender package for release.
• Didsbury Memorial Complex outlying plan jets playground at a cost of $80,000. Included within the cost will be the replacement and enhancement of the existing playground, asphalt and fencing.
• Skid steer annual program at a cost of $54,000.
Mayor Rhonda Hunter says approval of the funding for the new skatepark is a highlight of the 2021 budget.
“I’m really excited about that skatepark getting to the finish line,” said Hunter. “We are excited to share that with Sk8park Society and acknowledging all the hard work they have done on that.”
Council deferred a decision on a number of other project projects for further consideration, including regarding the Didsbury Municipal Library expansion and renovation project.
“I’m really pleased with the items we passed and we will have a bit more discussion on the others,” she said.
An ad hoc committee is in place to work on the library expansion and renovation project, she noted.
“That committee has been tasked with moving things forward and bringing it to council,” she said.
The proposed spending of $375,000 on the land acquisition and design for a water distribution reservoir to be located on the southeastern part of town was also deferred for further consideration.
