Funding options are being explored to beautify Sundre's Highway 22 corridor.
The Town of Sundre's economic development department in collaboration with the Corridor Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee, has developed four programs to collect funding for the project.
One of the programs, called the Bloomin' Sundre Program, is intended to increase the number of flowers along the corridor, without placing financial costs on taxpayers. The program offers interested businesses and residents the opportunity to sponsor flowers.
Town officials are seeking sponsors for 11 existing flowerpots, 25 planters and two flower beds in 2014. It is $600 to sponsor a flowerbed, $125 to sponsor a hanging flower basket and $65 to cover the cost of the sponsor's sign with the basket.
Planters are available at the Centre Street intersection, along Main Avenue and at the town office.
Another program is the Recognition Program, which is for businesses and residents to sponsor an element, such as a bench for $2,750. A plaque will be attached to the element with the sponsor's name and message. Benches are available at the Visitor Information Centre, on Centre Street and at the town office.
There is also a corporate park sponsorship program to sponsor a proposed Welcome Park across from Tim Hortons and a proposed Island Park across from Fas Gas. The Island Park is $33,440 to sponsor for 10 years and the Welcome Park is $41, 880 to sponsor for 10 years.
The fourth program is the Highway Corridor Storefront Improvement Program, where the town assists businesses along the corridor with improving the front of their businesses.
The town provides up to 50 per cent, to a maximum of $2,500, for a commercial property and to a maximum of $5,000 for a corner lot commercial property, as well as a commercial building with four or more storefronts.
The improvements can include repainting, window replacements, signage, exterior lighting and outdoor planters.
During the council meeting on Oct. 7, council voted to support the committee's efforts to secure innovative funding through the four programs.
The committee recommended starting the project with enhancements to the Centre Street intersection, for which funding has already been included in the economic development operating budget. The proposed enhancements are expected to be discussed during budget deliberations and will go before council at a later date.
As well, administration recommended to the committee the purchasing of a “one way finding sign” located at the Visitor Information Centre and one directional sign located at the Centre Street intersection, both of which are included in the economic development capital budget.
During the meeting, Kelly Starling, the town's assistant economic development officer and Alyssa Campkin, member of the committee, were present to speak with council on the project.
The ad hoc committee was formed during the Sept. 10 council meeting and council accepted the project document, which was completed by Genivar Inc., for information during the same meeting. The document was passed to the committee to work with the economic development department and the team provides recommendations as to what enhancements should be undertaken and innovative methods of funding, over a three-year time frame and 2014 budget implications. Genivar Inc. was awarded $38,928 in April to complete the document.
