Town council news
Skatepark project needs landscaping plan before digging, council hears
By Dan Singleton
Round Up staff
Officials with the $230,000 Sundre skatepark project will need to have a landscaping plan, including plans for lighting and parking, as well as permission from the Department of Oceans and Fisheries, before moving forward with any construction on the project, council heard.
During last week's governance committee meeting, council heard it could take at least 30 days to get approval from the Municipal Planning Commission.
Mayor Annette Clews said the project needs to follow proper procedures to ensure things go without a hitch once construction starts.
“We don't want the group to start with the shovels and then have DFO come along and stop it,” said Clews.
In a recent letter to council, project organizers said they would like to start preliminary work on the site, west of the AquaPlex on town land, sometime this fall.
“The skatepark is asking for permission to begin the site preparation by Nov. 15,” project manger Bill Lough said in the letter.
“This phase of construction consists only of the preparation of the site bass. Topsoil would be removed and the necessary gravel for the sub-base and base would be put in place. The appearance of the site would be no different than a parking lot, with a slight elevation at the bowl end of the skatepark.
“Completion of the site base in the fall would help greatly in maintaining momentum. There are a number of individuals and companies who have indicated a willingness to donate once the project is seen to be ‘real'.” Completion of the site base would encourage these potential donors to contribute.”
Lough said public support of the project has been very good so far.
“Considering it has been common knowledge for the past eight months as to the location of the skatepark, no complaints from the public have yet been received.
Fundraising for the project has been underway for eight months, with the committee having received $80,000 in cash donations as well as $30,000 in materials and service in kind, council heard.
In February the project will be submitting an application under the Alberta Community Spirit Grant of $11,000.
“We also have an application under the Community Facility Enhancement Program for $123,000.
“Should be successful (in the CFEP) application, that would leave us $6,000 short of our goal of $230,000,” he said. “Given that nothing is guaranteed, we will continue to fundraise over the winter months. Our objective would be to raise a minimum of $20,000.”
Recycling bins coming to Sundre?
With photo
A proposal has been put forward by the Mountain View Regional Waste Management Commission to have rollout recycling bins brought to town.
During last week's governance meeting, commission spokesperson Don Reid told councillors the blue bins would be for most recyclable materials except glass.
The bins would be picked up the same as the current black garbage and green compost bins on a regular schedule in town.
The blue recycling bins would be slightly larger in size than the current black and green bins, but would be no heavier.
If the town approved the new bins, and a motion has not yet been brought forward, an education campaign would be needed to ensure residents know what to recycle, he said.
Having the bins in town would markedly reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, saving about five years of landfill space over 30 years, he said.
Council considers new strategic plan
At this week's council meeting, councillors are expected to vote on the possible approval of the proposed new municipal strategic plan for 2011-2013.
The plan sets out the current council's priorities in areas such as infrastructure projects, economic development, communications, services and tax rates. Councillors discussed the plan during last week's governance committee meeting.
All municipalities in Alberta are encouraged by Alberta Municipal Affairs to develop such plans, which are advisory and not binding on councils.
The priorities set out in the plan are contingent on budgets and available resources.
“This strategic plan will provide our community with this council's vision, mission and guiding principles while given clear direction on goals we (council) have set for this term,” said Mayor Clews.
“Council will serve as leaders in championing the implementation of our strategic plan, as it will guide our efforts as we serve the residents of Sundre.”
Town council commits to review the plan annually and “appreciates any feedback and suggestions for consideration during the next review,” she said.
The plan itself is divided into a number of sub-sections: community synergy, community vitality, financial stewardship, and infrastructure management.
• Under the community synergy section, council is committed to “embrace the core values of the town by fostering an environment that encourages partnerships and collaboration for the common good of our community.”
Strategic actions will include promoting core values within the organization by leading by example, communicating core values to the community through such things as public forums.
