Nicolle Hodges | [email protected]
It was a long day for Jasper Municipal Council.
A large chunk of proposed projects for 2020 “in the parking lot” – the term used for requests pushed to a later date – were finally addressed, many of which were approved.
The budget requests came from the culture and recreation department, and protective services.
Projects totaling $785,000 were given the green light – including $50,000 to replace the front sidewalk, parking plugs, and kitchen at the Emergency Services Building; $30,000 to replace the existing 20-year-old tractor with a new electric vehicle for ice removal at the arena; $50,000 to retile the activity centre basement showers; and $50,000 for improved storage space where gymnastics is located (the original ask was $75,000 but council adjusted).
The lowest approved cost was $5,000 for a new floor cleaner at the activity centre while the highest approved project was a $600,000 upgrade of the curling rink slab and brine lines. However, a $300,000 donation has been made towards the curling rink work.
In the 2016 Residents Satisfaction Survey, 83 per cent of respondents wanted to maintain the existing services of the curling rink and 11 per cent wanted to see it expand. These stats were encouraging and helped ease the decision.
“I think it’s only time before curling grows in Jasper,” said councillor Helen Kelleher-Empey.
Half a million dollars for four new change rooms, in addition to the existing ones did not win a favourable vote, as councillors had little desire to approve such a hearty budget with minimal foreseeable impact.
Deputy Mayor Jenna McGrath said: “I believe we have an already existing space that is well-functioning. We need to come together over the next couple of years and formulate a plan as to where we envision our arena being and what the needs are at particular intervals.”
Culture and Recreation director Yvonne McNabb asked council to consider gender-neutral dressing rooms and wheelchair accessibility in the future.
In terms of contract renewals, council unanimously authorized Mayor Richard Ireland and CAO to enter into a one-year contract with EPCOR to operate the Municipality of Jasper’s Waste Water Treatment Plant.
After nearly five hours of debate, there are still $595,000 of proposed projects involving the activity centre pushed to a later date.
That includes $245,000 on upgrades to the main entrance, $250,000 on parking lot paving and drains, and $100,000 to fire spray the ceilings in the basement rooms, lobby, and offices.
Correction: A previous version of this article quoted eight new dressing rooms for the activity centre. In fact, it is four new change rooms, in addition to the existing ones, that have been proposed.
