Stettler town council approved a pair of funding requests & endorsed an advocacy effort on aging water infrastructure during its Feb. 17 meeting.
Adult Learning Centre Receives Signage Support
Ivy Bredy, the new executive director of the Stettler Adult Learning Centre (SALC), appeared before council for the first time since taking on the role two months ago.
Bredy outlined the centre’s programming, funded through Alberta Advanced Education, for adult education, GED preparation, E-S-L courses, digital literacy & employment readiness.
Bredy said a new lease agreement this spring has increased rental costs to $36,000 from approximately $7,500, affecting multiple areas of SALC’s operating budget.
Council approved a $470 request to fund two months of magnet signage, with the allocation to come from the community development fund.
An open house at the SALC is also planned for April.
Orchard Reserve Funds Approved For Mulching
Council also approved up to $10,000 from the community orchard reserve fund for spray mulching at the Stettler Community Orchard.
The orchard, which opened in 2018 is located on the west end of the community, next to the Stettler Mall.
Council approved the request, with funding to come from the reserve, which currently holds $25,921.
Infrastructure Advocacy Motion
Council directed administration to request that Alberta Municipalities advocate to the province to expand eligibility for existing water & wastewater infrastructure funding programs.
Town administration noted that Stettler is a 120-year-old community & faces ongoing pressures related to aging municipal water systems.
Similar challenges have resulted in major incidents in communities such as Edmonton, Lethbridge, Beiseker, Cochrane & Three Hills.
The recent high-profile water main failure in the City of Calgary was cited as an example of the financial & operational risks tied to aging infrastructure.
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
