License transfer brings pipeline one step closer

Posted 2 months ago

Kirsten Mundy

Standard Editor

It doesn't sound big, but having the water license come from the right place is one of the final steps in the process to have the East Calgary Regional Water Line operational. More importantly, it means Strathmore residents can finally rest assured that the town's water quality will remain consistent, once final testing is completed.

"We're nearing completion on the construction of the water line," said Jesse Parker with the Town of Strathmore.

The topic was brought up at the regular council meeting on Nov. 18, where council was informed they could lose up to 10 per cent of the license when it is transferred.

"Alberta Environment has the right to keep 10 per cent," said town CAO Dwight Stanford. "We wrote a letter and asked not to do it. The 200 acre feet (10 per cent of the town's 2,000 acre feet) is worth a lot of money, approximately $1.5 million."

The right to take the water is held by Alberta Environment, and applies whenever a license is transferred. In this case, Strathmore already holds the license to 2,000 acre-feet but they need to transfer it to have where it is taken from the Bow River changed.

Presently the Western Irrigation District conveys the water for Strathmore, but once the water line is operational, Strathmore's water will come from Calgary, and be conveyed through the pipeline.

"We won't give this up," said Mayor George Lattery, who expressed major concern over having the 200 acre-feet taken from the town.

The town is presently working on the finishing touches for the pipeline, including cleaning the pipes, testing them and hooking up the final mechanical needs to get water into town residences and businesses.

--- Diamond, or town hall? ---

The rumors were confirmed, sort of, last week when Doug Taylor with the Kinsmen Club approached town council with a petition, requesting that council guarantee the ball diamond at Kinsmen Park not be traded for a new town hall.

"We'd like it on the public record that this council has no plans to touch that ball diamond," said Taylor, holding a petition with over 1,200 signatures.

The concerns about the future of the ball diamond started last spring, after it was included in discussions surrounding a possible location for a new town hall. Mayor Lattery explained to the public at the meeting last week that nothing was set in stone.

"We are looking at more than that location," said Lattery. "Kinsmen Park was mentioned, so were other locations."

Lattery explained that also included in discussions were concerns council had with removing the only town-owned ball diamond Strathmore has, and it was agreed that if that was the location chosen, two other ball diamonds would be built first.

It is all speculation though, as nothing has yet been decided, voted on or approved by council.

"We can't just not look at it as a possible location," said Councillor Bob Sobol. "That's not fair."

Councillor Mike Lloyd requested that the petition be given to council, and they will keep it on hand for the future discussions which will likely be held on the subject. As for the request of the 1,200 people, it wasn't granted.

"If that's all you're here to get tonight, is a statement that we will not touch that diamond, you're not going to get it," said Councillor Earl Best.

--- Parent Link funding ---

Strathmore's Parent Link centre is under threat of being closed due to financial troubles.

The organization provides parents a place to connect with other parents, as well as gather information and guidance about various aspects of raising their children. All services are provided free of charge, which is a requirement set by the Alberta Government, who provides them with most of their funding.

The Strathmore location is operated with the Chestermere centre. In Chestermere, the organization does not pay rent for their facility as the town has provided them with a portion of their town hall. A presentation was made to council to try and find a similar solution in Strathmore.

The organization requested that council help them in a variety of ways, including approaching the provincial government.

"I'll talk to Arno Doerksen (Strathmore-Brooks MLA) and see if we can get some funding. If I set up a meeting with him, you could come in and help me explain it to him," said Mayor Lattery. "We'll definitely get on this and stay on it."

Town council also presented a few suggestions for other sources of funding, and will remain in touch with the organization to ensure it remains providing these services in Strathmore.