The Town of Carstairs almost has everything in line for a long-term-planned lagoon expansion, after Mountain View County council approved a land use redesignation for some of the land the town wants to use in the expansion, say officials.
The parcel of land is located east of Carstairs and is bordered by Rge. Rd. 12, and the redesignation had to happen in order for the town to move forward with its plans, said the town's CAO Carl McDonnell.
“When the county changed the Land Use Bylaw, they created a new category so that's why we applied for that one to be changed,” said McDonnell.
Although the expansion will not happen for a number of years, and even then it will be done in stages, he said that the long-term planning is just good sense.
“The last thing you want to do is have a population boom and not be able to expand because your lagoons are too small, that's why we're ahead of the game a little bit,” he said.
“We don't need the lagoon until we hit between 5,000 and 6,000 people, so we do have time to work this through,” he said, adding that Carstairs council is also working on building a new lagoon pump station for next year.
The town has two viable options to move forward with, as far as increasing capacity, he noted.
One option is aeration, which would cost about $6 million, and would carry the town forward about 15 years, based on projected growth.
The second option is expansion, which would cost about $13 million, but would carry the town forward for 25 years, based on projected growth.
“So they're both built on pre-planning for the future,” he said, noting that Carstairs' current population is sitting at about 4,000 people.
The land-use redesignation was required because Carstairs already owns a quarter section of land next to the lagoon, but there is a parcel to the east that would work better, so the town and a neighbouring farmer decided to trade land for land.
“So our land exchange was subject to land-use redesignation, so that's what went through the public hearing (on Sept. 24), so now we're just going through the motions of the land exchange, and Jan. 1 is (the date) we're targeting for the land exchange.”
Once the current studies are finished, the town council will know whether to move ahead with either aeration or expansion, he said.
Town administration is currently exploring a variety of funding options for the project including grants, although nothing is set in stone yet.
“And that's key is to have this and the reservoir. Even if we can't get the reservoir for next year, the plans are all done, the location's committed, and the lagoon design will be finalized,” he added.
“So these will all be set up for future councils or administrations whenever they decide to go ahead with it.”
Carstairs administration has projected that the town population will reach between 6,500 and 7,000 by 2023.
“And that's why we've got lots of time. If you look at that number, it means we wouldn't have to expand the lagoon until just before then, but I like having plans done ahead of time and then we know exactly what has to happen and take advantage of opportunities whether it's funding or other opportunities.”
Coun. Jeremy Sayer, who represents Division 1, commended the Town of Carstairs for planning ahead in this manner.
“I am glad that the Town of Carstairs is proactive and not reactive. I'm glad they're looking towards the future and the future growth that I expect they will experience in the next five to 10 years,” said Sayer.
Given the recent area structure plans that have been approved by Carstairs' town council, and more plans that are in the works, he said sewage expansion is going to be a necessary step in the near future.
“As far as our urban (centres) go, I think it's a great example for the rest of the urbans in proactive planning.”
Alberta's current growth rate overall is about 250,000 people a year, he added.
“That's a city the size of Red Deer, and those people all have to find a place to live in this province.
“The proactivity of the Town of Carstairs I think is a highlight for the county of Mountain View, specifically because it will fuel growth – not only within the town, but it will fuel growth within the county as well.”
With higher populations, industry and business naturally follow, which Sayer said should be encouraged.
The overall proactive approach of Carstairs' council over a number of years – from adding RCMP costs into the budget before necessary, to preparing lagoon plans far ahead of time – is also very encouraging to see, he said.
“It sets the town in very good stead for future growth,” he added.
