The new $2.3-million Mountain View County (MVC) agriculture lands and parks services shop will be a worthwhile asset for the municipality, including in terms of meeting staff needs, says Reeve Bruce Beattie.
“I know our ag staff is really looking forward to having a new building that replaces one that was constructed in 1951,” said Beattie. “With our focus on agriculture and support of agriculture, and the programs that we have, and with today's market focus on attracting good employees and providing the best kind of working conditions that we can, shows a commitment by the county towards our ag projects.”
Located near the current county administrative building between Olds and Didsbury, the two-storey shop will be about 7,000 square feet in size and will be used to house and service agricultural service board equipment, lands and parks department equipment, pesticide and parts, and will also include working spaces, washroom facilities, and a shower and locker room.
As well it will have a lunchroom, meeting room, two office spaces and second washroom on the mezzanine level.
Work on the shop site began in September. A grand opening will be held on June 10.
“We couldn't be happier,” said Beattie. “Just like the new seniors' lodge in Sundre, it is on time and on budget.
“I think Scott Builders have done a great job and our ag department has done a great job working together with the project manager to have a good-looking site the whole time it has been there. We've had a very good construction season over the winter, so that has helped the progress of the building.”
In other agriculture news, the MVC agricultural service board has approved funding for riparian and ecological enhancement projects. The move came during the board's recent regularly scheduled meeting.
In all, five projects were approved at the April 18 meeting. They are as follows:
• A watering system for a future market garden at SW 26-30-02-W5 in the Rosebud River watershed. The funding approved totalled $2,250.
• Fencing for a property in the James River watershed at SW 23-31-06-W5. The funding approved totalled $1,102.
• A watering system in the James River watershed at the same location. The funding approved totalled $1,750.
• Fencing in the Little Red Deer River watershed at NE 06-32-05. The funding approved totalled $561.
• A watering system at the same location. The funding approved totalled $2,250.
In all, $7,913 in funding was approved.
The April 18 board meeting also saw information presentations from Jeff Renton, project manager with AWES Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, and from provincial policy specialists and conservation program specialists with Ducks Unlimited.
Members were also given a verbal update on the new agriculture lands and parks services shop.
