Ponoka town council approved first reading of a borrowing bylaw for $1.7 million that would fund the downtown redevelopment and revitalization of 51 Ave. between 50 St. and 51 St.
The capital project improvements planned for 51 Ave. will replace aging infrastructure that has reached the end of its life cycle.
The improvements will include replacing underground water, sanitary sewer and storm water infrastructure, repaving 51 Ave. and replacing and upgrading sidewalks.
The town will also update the parking lot on the south side of 51 Ave. and beautify the street.
The current cost of the project is estimated at $3.2 million, of which $1.5 million is to be funded through provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant funding.
“The redevelopment of 51 Ave. is a priority project that will improve the quality of life for the whole community,” said Mayor Ferguson in a release, adding that the improvements will prevent future water main breaks and sanitary sewage issues.
The town is required by legislation to have the borrowing bylaw in place before Administration can issue a new call for tenders on the project in January.
Council is scheduled to consider second and third reading of the Borrowing Bylaw on December 14 at its regular meeting.
The final decision on the borrowing will be made during budget deliberations of the 2022 town budget in the early spring of 2022.
Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Lund stated in the release that it’s also possible during budget deliberations that alternative sources of funding could be identified for this project, which could result in borrowing less money or not borrowing any funds at all.
To read the full release, visit ponoka.ca.
Busy construction season wraps up
According to the town, more than $1.5 million was invested in roadway and sidewalk improvements in 2021.
Work is currently underway to complete exterior improvements at the Ponoka Arena Complex over the coming weeks (weather permitting), which include some painting and new eavestroughing.
The work is part of the Town’s annual Infrastructure Maintenance and Improvement Program.
Roadway and sidewalk improvements include pavement replacement, asphalt patching or chip sealing were completed at various locations and ongoing pothole repairs.
This fall, the town completed a three-year project that saw extensive roadway and drainage rehabilitation improvements on 64 St. (between 42 and 44 Ave.) at the south end of the Froman Business Park.
A new walking trail extension was constructed at the south end of Ponoka’s downtown area along 50 St. and Highway 53 which now connects the Battle River Valley Trail system and Ponoka’s downtown area to the Ponoka Arena Complex.
The new ice plant at the arena that was installed this summer increases ice-making efficiency at the arena and will allow the facility to expand its regular ice season in the future. The old ice plant had reached the end of its life cycle.
The arena also underwent additional maintenance improvements and repairs that included Plexiglas replacement around the ice surfaces, painting, board repairs, and concrete slab repairs.
Maintenance and facility improvements at the Aquaplex included a completely resurfaced and refinished pool deck, a fully refurbished wading pool, a new rooftop HVAC unit and new edging around the main pool, deep tank and wading pool.
The Old Hospital Rotary Park, located at 5609 51 St., was completed this summer. The new park offers a new green space that includes two sheltered outdoor classroom areas equipped with picnic tables and also features an amphitheatre, edible gardens, paved walking paths, benches and outdoor lighting.
Located downtown at 50 St. and 53 Ave., the Tractor Park, upgrades completed this summer included the refurbishment and installation of the two heritage tractors that are displayed on raised platforms in the park.