BOWDEN - Town councillors are calling on the provincial government to fund a comprehensive analysis of the rest stop along Highway 2 (also known as the QE II).
Council passed a motion to that effect last week at the suggestion of Coun. Wayne Milaney.
Last month, council had warned that if it didn't receive provincial money to operate the rest stop, the town would be prepared to close it down early this year.
During a meeting at the legislature on Dec. 13, Mason promised $50,000 a year for an indeterminant number of years to keep the rest stop operating. There was a hint money might also be found to improve it.
Milaney suggested the study and improvement project as council received a letter from Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Brian Mason. In that letter, Mason thanked Mayor Robb Stuart for attending the Dec. 13 meeting and outlining council's concerns.
"We should ask for some funding to do an architectural and mechanical/electrical/structural review," Milaney said.
He said the study and upgrade project should include bringing the facility up to today's building code and installing money-saving devices like LED lights and high-efficiency heating systems because "if we're going to pay the utility bills for the next how many years, we might as well do it on today's technology."
"If they would forward the funding to us then we could get that done and get it presented to them and then we could go forward with getting that work done this summer," Milaney said.
Milaney suggested the cost of the study would likely be in the $5,000 to $6,000 range. He did not estimate how much the actual improvements might cost.
Other councillors agreed that sounded like a good idea.
Stuart said during last month's meeting, Minister Mason had indicated he would help fund a review of the condition of the rest stop.
"I said, ëwell, would you help with that?' And he said, ëoh, definitely,'" Stuart told council.
"I sent a letter back to Minister Mason thanking him for meeting with us and pointing out that there was a significant use there over Christmas because of the weather," Stuart said.
Council also received a copy of a letter from the Olds and District Community Policing Advisory Society (ODCPAS) in support of the rest stop.
"This facility is considered to be a very important, strategically situated facility that provides motorists the opportunity to take a break and use the facilities and grab a quick bite to eat or a beverage," ODCPAS secretary-treasurer Judy Schlichenmayer wrote.
"With the government priority of safety of Albertans, we feel this should be a priority to maintain. The people using this facility are from all across the province. Traffic volumes on the QE II past this facility, in our opinion, warrant resources to provide this facility.
"We strongly encourage your department to continue supporting and maintain(ing) funding for this facility. We all recognize how important it is to take a break while driving," the letter said.
The town forwarded that letter to Mason.
"If we're going to pay the utility bills for the next how many years, we might as well do it on today's technology."WAYNE MILANEYBOWDEN COUNCILLOR
