A proposal to spend $78,000 on a recreation and culture master plan was delayed until town councillors can get more information on it.
Administration presented the request for the funds to commission the study Tuesday, April 14 during council’s regular meeting, stating that three proposals to conduct the study were reviewed and one was presented as the recommended option, that of McElhanney Consulting Services and BR2 Architecture.
Wes Amendt, director of community services for the Town of Ponoka, said the master plan will be a guiding document for the future of recreation and culture in town.
Coun. Teri Underhill wondered if this study would actually be used. She referred to a recreation study conducted in 2007 that no action was taken on. “We have done study after study after study.”
“I feel like we’re spinning our wheels,” she added.
Amendt said the town has not had a full culture and recreation plan since 1996 and this new one would provide realistic costing and details that will set the future of recreation in Ponoka.
He added the council of the day decided against any action on the 2007 study.
Mayor Rick Bonnett agreed with Underhill. “What’s this community going to do if we get that and put it on the shelf?”
CAO Rachel Kunz said council was presented with a request from administration in January to seek submissions and council at the time had no issue with it.
Coun. Carla Prediger made the motion for administration to present the full proposal from the company before making a decision. The proposal is expected to be presented at the next council meeting.
Public hearing for offsite levies bylaw
A public hearing date has been set Tuesday, May 26 at council chambers for the town’s proposed offsite levies bylaw.
Developers or residents who want to provide input will be allowed to do so at that time.
Council also approved a review of the town’s land use bylaw. The bylaw was written 18 years ago and has been amended over the years. Council requested that the new director of planning and Parkland Community Planning Services draft a new bylaw together.
It is expected to take approximately six to eight months to draft.