Granum Stormwater Management Project complete

By Rob Vogt

It may look like a new park in Granum, but water and greenspace on the eastern edge of the hamlet serves a greater purpose.
That facility is the Granum Storm Water Management and Flood Mitigation Project, now known as the Leavings Heritage Park, and an event celebrating its completion was held on June 11.
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg of the Municipal District of Willow Creek was the emcee for the occasion, which featured greetings from dignitaries and the official unveiling of the name.
“This is a great day for the community,” Sandberg said. “The success of a project such as this requires a coordinated effort of many people, landowners, businesses and levels of government to achieve.”
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, through the Alberta Community Resilience Program funded 90 per cent of the total costs of the Granum Storm Water Management and Flood Mitigation Project.
This agreement was executed in February 2020. Since its original application for funding, the project scope changed considerably and includes an outlet into Willow Creek.
This solution was expected to be considerably more affordable than the original with less capital cost and minimal ongoing operation and maintenance costs.
A competitive process was conducted to secure a consulting firm to complete option assessments, preliminary design, detailed design, environmental approvals, contractor procurement and contract administration in early 2021.
Scope amendments were approved by the funding body and work on the detailed design, landowner discussions and approvals began.
Approvals were granted and contractor procurement began.
In 2023, The municipality successfully completed Phase 1 works which included minor grading and culvert work near Railway Avenue and Highway 519.
Natural storm infrastructure was utilized to aid in controlling flow velocity through a drainage course that leads from the Hamlet of Granum to an outlet into Willow Creek.
The total length of this drainage course is more than seven kilometres.
The municipality worked with the funding body to extend the funding agreement timeline and to utilize the remaining funds to expand on the stormwater management project and construct Phase 2.
“Phase two, where you are standing today, includes the construction of a stormwater control facility (pond) with a trail system,” Sandberg said. “The result is a functioning stormwater management facility with park and trail type features.”
“I am positive that this project will protect the community from flooding events while providing habitat for wildlife and an enjoyable space for the community to enjoy for many years to come,” she later added.
“This project is a major achievement for the community – one that reflects the kind of forward-thinking infrastructure we need to protect our towns from the increasing risks of flooding and extreme weather,” said Chelsae Petrovic, MLA for Livingstone-Macleod.
“This project is a strong example of what can be accomplished when local and provincial efforts come together,” she later added.
Petrovic also said, on a personal note, she is moving to Granum.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how this area will be used – not just as a piece of infrastructure, but as a space that adds value to the community,” she said. “I can’t wait to walk it, explore it, and see it in action.”
Shlaine Williams, who sits on the Granum District Community Board, explained picking the name was a community initiative.
In the, end Leavings Heritage Park, suggested by Joan DeMaere, was chosen.
For her efforts, an apple tree has been planted in the park in DeMaere’s name.