The County of Stettler is moving ahead with plans for a new water reservoir & truck fill in the Village of Donalda, as the village undergoes a viability review that could see it dissolved later this year.
In a Feb. 25 motion, council directed administration to facilitate the purchase, transfer & rezoning of land in Donalda for the project, which would then be transferred to the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Services Commission.
Early plans considered locating the reservoir & truck fill at the Donalda fire hall, but county staff determined the site would limit future expansion.
A green space east of the fire hall was identified as the preferred location at the end of January, with both municipalities negotiating how & where to operate the regional asset.
The decision comes as residents of Donalda are expected to vote later this year on whether to dissolve the municipality & become a hamlet under the County of Stettler.
The infrastructure would form part of the regional water system managed by the commission, which supplies treated water to several communities in east-central Alberta.
If residents vote in favour of dissolution, responsibility for local infrastructure & servicing would transfer to the county.
If they vote against it, Donalda would remain an independent village, & any agreements would need to reflect that status.
Neither municipality has publicly detailed the financial terms of the proposed land transfer or how costs for the project would be shared.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
