DIDSBURY - Didsbury received a ‘four bloom’ rating from the provincial Communities in Bloom (CIB) neighbourhood enhancement program, with the town’s art banner project being cited as one of the highlights in 2024.
In his monthly report presented at the Dec. 10 council meeting, Town of Didsbury's chief administrative officer, Ethan Gorner, updated council on the recently received evaluation from the CIB program.
Two CIB judges accompanied by mayor Rhonda Hunter, director of community services Nicole Aasen, two Didsbury CIB members and parks personnel visited facilities, spaces, local residences, and projects during a judging visit this summer.
Some of the highlights of the evaluation form included special recognition for the 2024 art banner program (featuring artwork from residents), improved CIB community profile, new mural in the downtown area and other local art initiatives.
Other highlights also include a healthy tree budget, provided annually, and excitement around the residential stops on the judging tour.
“The CIB community will take the valuable feedback and recommendations from the judges into consideration when planning projects, initiatives and ideas for 2025 and into the future.
Lagoon project comes in $37,000 under budget
Meanwhile, Gorner’s report also included an update on the recent lagoon project, which included cleaning and repairs at the town-owned facility.
“During this project there was a substantial amount of clay and boulders discovered that had been deposited into from the commercial dumping that was allowed in the past,” he said. “The removal of this material came with a small amount of additional work that was necessary.”
He also reported that a “small amount of damage discovered to the liner that needed repair before the cells were put back in use. The repairs were made in the middle of November and the lagoon is now running at 100 per cent of its designed capacity.”
The project came in under budget, he said.
The total cost of the project turned out to be $212,000 or about $37,000 under budget, council heard.
Gorner also said that the “structural and electrical design of the east reservoir project is 90 per cent complete and anticipated to be completed in the near future.
“The feeder main is approximately 20 per cent compete. This project is roughly estimated to commence this spring, and completed by mid-2026.”
Council accepted the CAO report as information.
