Council approves 2019 capital budget

Claresholm town council has approved its 2019 capital budget which will be about $7.1 million in funding for projects highlighted by almost $3.8 million for the multi-use community building; as well as a stormwater system upgrade; paving; Amundsen Park redevelopment; tennis court resurfacing; an infrastructure master plan including water reservoir study; arena roof replacement; front-end loader; and a Bobcat replacement. At its Dec. 9 meeting, council approved its interim capital budget at the same time as its operating budget.

Council approved a list that includes:
• $326,983 for continuation of Phase 1 of the town’s storm management plan including the storm water management facility, upgrade of the Eighth Street ditch, and upgrades to the golf course ditch and ponds. A total of $228,888 will come from a provincial Alberta Community Resilience Program grant; and $98,095 from a Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant.
• $1,600,297 for Phase 2 of the storm water management plan for the Centennial Park, main outfall upgrade. A total of $1,440,258 will come from a provincial Alberta Community Resilience Program grant; and $160,029 from a Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant. • $450,000 to pave the north industrial area as promised to buyers at the time of sale, once the subdivision lots have been sold. A total of $225,000 from the Federal Gas Tax Fund; and $225,000 from an MSI grant.
• $220,000 to replace the playgrounds on the southeast and northwest corners of downtown Amundsen Park with one structure, and construct a gazebo. Funding will be $117,000 in a Federal Gas Tax Fund grant; and $103,000 in a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant.
• $85,000 to install new surface on the existing tennis courts. Funding will be $42,500 from a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant; $27,500 from a Federal Gas Tax Fund grant; and $15,000 from the Southern Alberta Recreation Association. • $150,000 for a master plan of the town’s infrastructure. Funding will be $125,000 in a Federal Gas Tax Fund grant; and $25,000 from capital water and sewer reserves.
• $3,800,000 for new construction of daycare, playschool, town administration, and community space buildings. A total of $2.8 million will come from a debenture; $647,880 from MSI; and $352,120 from a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant. • $170,000 for replacing the entire roof over the arena mezzanine and damaged interior flooring. Funding will come 50/50 from a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant.
• $265,000 to replace an existing 2007 model Wheel loader with a new front-end loader. A total of $225,000 will come from MSI; and $40,000 from a trade-in.
• $45,000 for Bobcat replacement, with $40,000 to come from trading it in; and $5,000 tax funded.