Penhold joins Autumn Glen study
The Town of Penhold is contributing $2,500 to the Parkland Foundation feasibility study and business plan for the replacement or renovation of Autumn Glen Lodge.
Last month the Town of Innisfail agreed to contribute $11,000. The total cost of the study is estimated to be about $80,000.
Autumn Glen Lodge , located at 4045 50 Ave., was constructed in 1961 to provide lodging, food and recreation for area seniors. In 1973, a 300 sq.-metre addition containing an additional 11 lodging rooms was added to the original 1,380 sq.-metre facility. Another addition was added in 1984, adding 820 sq.-metre and a lounge, mechanical roof, crafts room and 20 lodging rooms.
Parkland Foundation was formed in 1996 and is responsible for the operation and administration of Autumn Glen Lodge, self-contained suites in Bowden, Innisfail and Penhold as well as two family houses in Bowden. Parkland also administers the Direct Rent Supplement Program as directed by Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs.
The foundation’s feasibility study would include: a review and report on existing studies and data; partner identification and planning; utilizing the current site for any new facility; the optimum size of the facility; the service levels required; conceptual design alternatives; capital and operating costs; financial “pro forma” analysis; an implementation plan; and an identification of potential funding sources.
The business plan would include a business concept description; a defined target market; a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis; a strategic action plan; relevant key Markey research; a projection of revenue and expenses; a human resources plan; and an operating and marketing plan.
Town partnering with museum to enhance caboose
Penhold has taken a step to enhance the museum’s caboose.
At town council’s regular meeting on Aug. 8 a motion was passed to enter into a partnership with the Penhold & District Museum to enhance the railway relic, which was built in 1947. Council also accepted a report from the museum that detailed the status of the structures on the site, including the caboose and old school.
An administration report to council said the caboose has been painted by the town on three separate occasions, including in 2009.
The report also stated that a municipal office flood has caused the loss of valuable files that would have assisted the town in clarifying roles between the town and museum.
Province grants multiplex a plaque
The Alberta government has approved a permanent plaque for the new Penhold Regional Multiplex.
The town had made an application for a permanent plaque under the project signage and permanent plaque component of the Municipal Sustainability Initiative. (MSI)
In a letter from Hector Goudreau, minister of municipal affairs, town council was told the plaque will include the project name, municipality name, provincial MSI contribution amount, provincial and municipal logos, and the opening date of the facility.
County suspends trail development
Penhold has been told by Red Deer County it will not immediately construct the second phase of the Springbrook to Penhold trail.
At council’s regular Aug. 8 meeting members were told the trail development would not proceed at this time because the town is not continuing with trail development south of Hwy. 592 that would align with the county’s proposed trail location along RR 281.
A letter from the county stated the rural municipality “does have concerns” with building a trail that ends at a provincial highway and provides no means of safe movement of the trail beyond the highway.
Council agreed to send the county a letter expressing “disappointment” with the decision.
Meanwhile, the county also told the town that a proposed expansion of a transit route originating from Red Deer is not feasible.
There were earlier discussions between the municipalities that the current transit route from the City of Red Deer, through Gasoline Alley and onto Springbrook is already at the maximum length for a transit route to be effective.
However, the county has told the town it is welcome to provide shuttle bus transportation for its residents to connect with the county bus in Springbrook where Penhold residents could purchase tickets and transfer onto the county bus.
County studying flood issues
The Town of Penhold has been told by Red Deer County that engineers are working on a strategy to mitigate flooding of Waskasoo Creek north of the town.
The county conducted a survey of the area in 2010. The town was told work could be done this year, depending on the results of the county review.
However, the county has cautioned that any mitigation measures undertaken may not fully solve the flooding issue in years where there are extreme flooding incidents, such as the ones experienced in 2011.
