Council Notes
Select News From Mountain View County Council – Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Didsbury Fire Hall Project Given Approval
Mountain View County Council approved entering into a co-ownership agreement with the Town of
Didsbury for just under 44 per cent ownership of a new fire hall with a total estimated cost of $4 million.
The County’s portion of the total cost is not to exceed $1.75 million for the facility that will be
constructed within the town limits. Any cost overruns beyond the estimated construction budget will be
absorbed by the town.
In their recommendation to Council, administration expressed confidence in the budget numbers based
on the experience gained during the recent construction of a similar facility in the Town of Olds. Council
also supported the position that the co-ownership arrangement will solidify fire protection services for
the area, improve efficiency and enhance the partnership with the Town of Didsbury.
The co-ownership agreement of a town-based facility is a “whole different culture for Mountain View
County,” according to Division 7 Councillor Al Kemmere.
Council, after some debate, also directed administration to prepare a bylaw to borrow funds from the
Alberta Capital Finance Authority for the maximum County contribution amount of $1.75 million. The
borrowing bylaw process provides a comment period following first reading for the public to petition
against the bylaw, which allows the public an opportunity for input on the use of resources versus
borrowing.
Council ultimately decided that the current favourable rates of interest for municipal borrowing will
provide long-term savings versus depleting reserves for full or partial funding of the County’s portion of
the project cost.
Construction could start as early as this summer for the new fire hall.
Council to Fund Portion of Upgrades to Sundre Street
A narrow approval was given by County Council to partially fund surface improvements to a Sundre
street that also services a County-owned business park.
In a narrow 3-2 vote of councillors present at the March 25 regular meeting, Council agreed to cover half
the estimated cost of improvements to 10th Street SW on the west side of the Town of Sundre to a
maximum of $378,312.
The funding would cover half the cost of upgrades to the road surface from the intersection of Highway
27 & 22, south to Township Road 325A. Originally the Town of Sundre requested County support to
upgrade the surface from the highways to the alley behind the Tim Hortons location on the east side of
the roadway.
After discussion by Council, it was proposed to offer extending the project to Twp Rd 325A which serves
as the entry point into the business park. Any funding provided by the County would be contingent on
the town agreeing to the expanded project and other considerations that would have to be covered in
an agreement between the two municipalities.
Olds Splash Park Contribution Approved
Mountain View County agreed to provide up to $70,000 to the Olds Splash Park Association towards the
construction of a splash park facility to be constructed at Centennial Park in the Town of Olds.
The total project cost is $625,000 and the participating municipalities (including MVC) were asked to
provide up to $250,000. The Town of Olds portion is up to $180,000. The remainder of the cost will be
covered by grants and fundraising.
According to a presentation from the association and the town during Wednesday’s meeting, the
project is expected to start construction in late spring with a targeted date of opening on July 1.