Sundre council has authorized town staff to make use of $50,000 for the design and site preparation of a new washhouse at Greenwood Campground.
The funds are coming from infrastructure reserves, which will be reimbursed with funds from the Province of Alberta Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).
Council approved the expenditure during the June 16 meeting. However, Coun. Paul Isaac was opposed.
The municipality has $197,150.55 from the DRP to be spent specifically on flood mitigation within the campground.
The funds are left over from the money the municipality received through the DRP after applying for various projects after last year's flood.
Officials say all of the flood mitigation work that was needed in the campground has been completed, except for the washhouse.
The current washhouse is 20 years old and received damage from the 2005 flood as well as the 2013 flood. It is currently located in the flood plain.
“With the most recent flood and rains in June 2013, the washhouse once again sustained rooftop damage and water levels at approximately three feet above the foundation level,” Jacci Hager, the town's manager of community services, reported to council.
“As a result, to name a few of the issues, the cinder blocks have become compromised, the foundation has sunk, the hot water tank and furnace mechanical components have been submerged, and the roofing system requires replacement to prevent future leaking.”
The washhouse was repaired after last year's flood and opened for the campground season. Officials say it is operable, but should be replaced because of the damage it has sustained over the years.
Hager suggested that a new washhouse be built in between the east museum fenceline and the entrance to the campground. It would be built one metre above the flood plain.
It was also noted that the gas service is in the back of the current washhouse, and if it is damaged by flood waters, it could leak or shut down gas service to the entire east side of town, as well as the local business community.
During the June 16 council meeting, Coun. Jodi Orr said she visited the campground after the previous meeting to see the state of the washhouse.
A new one is needed because the current one is “gross” and a new one would attract campers, she said.
Hager said funds are available in the Greenwood Campground reserves to pay for the repairs to the washhouse, but not to completely replace it.
There is $29,843 allocated for the washhouse in the reserves.
The options council reviewed during the council workshop meeting on June 9 included spending $88,000 for a cinder block washhouse, $138,000 for prefab, $67,000 for concrete, $150,000 for metal, or going with a stick-built washhouse, which officials did not have an estimated price for.
Officials did not have the price available for the meeting on June 16 either, but councillors were leaning towards that option (stick-built).
Hager said each option would have different maintenance requirements, and that additional costs would include $1,500 for the gas service, plus site costs.
Once the new washhouse is complete and operable, the existing washhouse will be removed, she said.
“As final costs are known and a design is established, administration will share this with council,” she said. “This motion will permit administration to continue with the process of planning and beginning groundwork while the design process takes place.”
Officials are hoping to have the new facility built by fall.
