As some area residents continue to voice concerns over a proposal to reopen a former gravel pit west of Sundre, the company involved in the project says it is planning further public consultations in the coming weeks.
Didsbury-based West-Can Seal Coating Inc. is proposing to start up operations at the former Ross gravel pit seven kilometres west of Sundre. The application process with Mountain View County for the project is ongoing.
Leslee Scopick, Sundre-area resident, said she has a number of questions and concerns about the proposed pit reopening.
"Every question we had for them (at a Dec. 10 open house at McDougal Flats) they didn't have one answer,î said Scopick. "They were very evasive throughout the whole meeting. It was like talking to a bunch of politicians that kept changing the subject.î
Scopick said she doesn't want the gravel pit to be reopened because there are two pits already operating in the immediate area, creating traffic, dust and noise concerns.
"People's windshields are getting ruined constantly,î she said. "There is tons of dust being brought up.î
She said there is a nature reserve located in the area and she doesn't know "how they are allowedî to put a gravel pit right next to it.
"The people of this neighbourhood, the farmers, everybody up here, we cannot believe that they are even thinking about putting something so awful here,î she said.
"We live in what we consider to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet and the idea that they want to keep bringing in more industry-type businesses into this area frightens me. They are threatening my quality of life.î
Matthew Arnill, representative for West-Can, said the company is listening to area residents' concerns.
"We are proposing a second round of discussions to create solutions and perhaps new ideas on how to make this operation as agreeable as possible between West-Can and the community,î said Arnill.
The company plans to invite all residents who attended the Dec. 10 open house to take part in small discussion groups in order to get more public input before the company re-submits its updated application package to Mountain View County, he said.
Further information on the proposed project is available on West-Can's website, www.west-cansealcoating.com
