Council approves next phase of stormwater plan

By Rob Vogt – Local Press Writer
The Town of Claresholm will commit $750,000 to the next phase of the town’s stormwater management plan, with a funding source yet to be determined.
At its Feb. 13 meeting, council was updated on the situation by Abe Tinney, the town’s chief administrative officer.
He explained the next phase of stormwater improvements within the town’s stormwater master plan has been pre-designed by Associated Engineering, which was grant funded, with a scope change, that was previously presented to council. As the town has sold the parade staging grounds for residential development, the developer intends to begin construction within the 2023 season and stormwater improvements will be required.
They will pay their portion to tie into the town’s system.
The portion that administration is recommending for completion this year is the installation of the stormwater line that runs along Westlynn Drive, crossing through the vacant lot and discharging into the Frog Creek Drain within the Bridges of Claresholm Golf Course. This project will achieve two of council’s strategic plan objectives: working towards storm water improvement outlined in the town’s stormwater management plan; and supporting development within town.
As Associated Engineering has already developed the detailed engineering for this project, by utilizing previous grant funding to complete this portion as well as the surveying for the utility right of way, the town will be able to go ahead without waiting for engineering.
This project will take some stress off the Frog Creek line by diverting all storm water originating west of Fourth Street directly into the golf course ponds. This project is required before development can begin on the lot west of Westlynn Drive.
The engineer has estimated a cost for the project of $750,000. They will be responsible for overseeing the project, tendering, grading proposals to make a recommendation for council to award, and coordinating with the contractor.
This project was included in the 2023 interim capital budget, but the amount included in the budget was significantly under estimated at $300,000, with funding to come from the utility capital reserve.
It was noted the funding source did not need to be decided at this time. As the 2023 final budget has not yet been passed and there will still be further 2023 budget discussion, that decision can be deferred to the committee level for those budget discussions.
Council then agreed to approve Phase 2 of the stormwater management project, to be completed within the 2023 construction season, and funding to be deferred to the Facility and Infrastructure Planning Committee for 2023 budget discussions.