SUNDRE – A couple of administrative reports recently presented to Town of Sundre's council highlighted some of the municipality’s success stories from the past year.
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, recounted during a recent regular meeting a lengthy list of projects completed in 2024 by both the community services as well as planning and development departments.
Although too numerous to mention them all, among the notches added to the community services department’s belt was the refurbished and improved pedestrian crossing over Prairie Creek south of the Highway 27-Main Avenue corridor behind the post office.
“The rebuilt Prairie Creek bridge has been a success for the community providing better accessibility with a barrier-free asphalt surface and improved connectivity to the alley,” said Nelson, adding the wider design facilitates snow-clearing efforts and improves safety.
“This project was a community request,” she said, adding the municipality has heard from residents who have expressed gratitude for the easier access to services and amenities.
The department’s staff also completed some landscaping enhancements at the permanent outdoor rink, located south of Second Avenue NW immediately adjacent to the Sundre Skatepark.
“A water supply system was installed to facilitate flooding,” she said. “The bottom of the boards was sealed to prevent water loss during flooding, improving efficiency and preserving resources.”
Maintenance work was also carried out on the ball diamonds’ infields to improve conditions for minor ball, an effort that also involved painting bleachers and dugouts to refresh the facility, she said.
The off-leash dog park, located immediately west of the municipal office on the south side of Main Avenue, also received some attention with holes that were filled to improve safety for pets and visitors with some landscaping added around the fenced area to prevent pets from escaping, she said.
As well, the Greenwood Campground reported a very successful season with more than 500 bookings made online through a streamlined reservation process intended to improve accessibility for users, she said.
Following the report, council went around the table praising the department staff’s ongoing efforts to make these kinds of projects possible.
“You guys make our lives a little bit easier,” said Coun. Chris Vardas.
Recognizing the importance of other departments like operations that ensure infrastructure functionality, Coun. Jaime Marr also said community services plays an important role toward improving the town’s aesthetics.
“When you look at a community that you’re proud of, it makes it easy to sell to others,” said Marr.
Mayor Richard Warnock said he’d received multiple compliments regarding the upgraded pedestrian bridge.
“They begged for Prairie Creek bridge,” said Warnock.
“They are extremely happy with getting to the grocery store and to the drug store with that little bridge.”
The mayor said he’d also heard positive feedback about the dog park, which remains at a temporary site until a permanent location can be determined and is the only place in town people can lawfully let their pets run off-leash.
“I was skeptical about having a dog park when we live in a dog park,” he said. “I admit to you guys and everyone else, I was wrong – the dog park is very valued in Sundre.”
With regards to planning and development, Nelson said the municipality has fostered a reputation for reducing red tape and streamlining processes while adhering to safety codes.
“This could not be accomplished without professionally trained and competent staff,” she said.
The town has also updated engineering design standards and offers developers a clear framework outlining requirements with ongoing efforts to meet with the development community through regular meetings, she said.
Among residential projects that are progressing are the new Brookeside Estates subdivision with the latest fourth phase “signifying the successful completion of construction and compliance with required engineering standards by the developer of the following municipal improvements: water, storm and sanitary, shallow utilities, concrete and asphalt paving, and landscaping.”
Additionally, she said the department is currently in the early research stage of redeveloping the municipality’s downtown area plan.
Concluding her report, Nelson also highlighted the 39 development permits issued in 2024 that include a 12-unit apartment building, the conversion of the former Parkwood Motor Inn into rental accommodations, and three new condo units at Prairie Creek condos.
The end of year value of building permits amounted to approximately $7.2 million with a total of 47 dwelling units under construction, she said.
“That’s massive for this little town.”
Following the presentation, Marr said it’s nice to see a breakdown of the department’s numbers since the staff essentially works behind the scenes.
“This is one department that I don’t get to see visually, you guys are in the back,” the councillor said, adding she appreciates the ongoing efforts to entice builders and businesses and that she looks forward to “seeing Sundre blossom.”
Vardas said the department’s work is visible in the sense of seeing the tangible results of projects such as the conversion of the former Parkwood Motor Inn as well as houses that are going up.
“That to me means administration is doing a fantastic job,” he said.
Before council accepted the reports as information and thanked both of the departments’ staff, the mayor said one of Sundre’s success stories was reducing red tape, which prior to 2017 “was horrendous.”
