OLDS — Town council has approved its 2022 capital budget, anticipated to cost $6,688,962.
Projects outlined in the budget include $1.03 million to complete the roundabout/extension at 68th Street and 48th Avenue. Of that figure, $744,919 would be funded via the provincial government’s MSI (Municipal Sustainability Initiative) grant. The remainder, $286,872, would come from town reserves.
Interim chief administrative officer and Town finance director Sheena Linderman said the money is needed to basically finish off portions of the project that were not completed last year.
The same is true for the intersection of 70th Avenue and Highway 27. A total of $522,899 is earmarked finish that project off.
Another $52,184 is earmarked to finish off work on the newly-completed town operations centre, located off 70th Avenue. That work will all be paid for out of town reserves.
A number of street and road improvement projects are planned for 50th Avenue north of Highway 27 to the last acreage, 57th Avenue north of the hospital, and the service road in front of Circle K.
The biggest ticket item in that category though is reconstruction of 52nd Street from 53rd Avenue to 56th Avenue.
That work, which will include sewer, water, sidewalk and road repair, is anticipated to cost about $1.65 million which will be obtained from a variety of funds, including MSI.
A water study expected to cost $105,000 and a wastewater (sewer) study expected to cost $110,000, are also planned. Costs for both will be covered by MSI funds.
Linderman noted both studies were budgeted for 2021, but were not completed and were thus rolled into this year’s capital budget.
Planned for Rotary Athletic Park are a toboggan hill, inclusive playground and community gardens.
Improvements to revitalize Centennial Park include a permanent rink and an outdoor gathering space featuring fire pits, benches and an entrance.
Another $70,000 is slated to revamp the Kiwanis playground.
The total cost of all these improvements is pegged at $1,069,320. Of that figure, $265,779 will come from MSI funds, the remainder from reserves and other funds.
Other projects include $70,000 to upgrade sports fields at O.R. Hedges/Imperial parks. That money would come from MSI.
A total of $157,000 worth of improvements are planned for the Sportsplex, including creating a female change room/washroom, replacing the south ramp, and overhauling the facility’s compressor. All of those projects will be paid for out of MSI funds.
A proposal by the historical society for a $50,000 project to link the Mountain View Museum & Archives with its garage did not receive support.
“I’d like to thank our interim CAO and her staff for the long hours that they put in to present this to council, as well as council for their time and effort to ask many questions to get the answers from staff,” Mayor Judy Dahl said.
