Wishes came true in Morinville and Sturgeon County this week when they learned they’ll receive major grants for a community centre in town and a beefed up road in the county.
Details are still thin, but as part of the Building Canada Fund both municipalities expect up to $6 million apiece toward their respective infrastructure projects. Ottawa and the Alberta government could each contribute $3 million.
Morinville applied for the funding to build a community cultural centre that council hopes will break ground next year.
Sturgeon County applied for its funding to upgrade 195th Avenue from Highway 28 east to the boundary with the City of Edmonton. The road will be upgraded from its current gravel state to a full strength asphalt surface. Construction is expected to get under way next year as well.
Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth said he was happy to help with the applications from both communities because they are worthwhile projects.
“These are both high priorities for both councils so we are more than happy to help.”
In the federal budget the government added money to the Building Canada Fund, hoping to spur infrastructure projects and create jobs to fight the ailing economy.
Though neither project gets under way this year, Storseth said creating jobs is not the only goal of the program.
“It is about identifying projects that are important not just for creating jobs today, but for creating long-term benefits for the communities.”
Morinville Mayor Lloyd Bertschi was thrilled the town’s application was approved.
The new facility is expected to house the library, as well as a 350-seat community hall, which will also serve as a performing arts centre.
The Morinville Potters’ Guild and Arts Clubs will also get space; both became homeless when the Morinville Convent was condemned.
Bertschi said the town has looked after basic services very well over the decades, but at the expense of other projects.
“We have been looking after the core infrastructure at the expense of not having a lot of the nice-to-have things.”
Sturgeon Mayor Don Rigney said the improvements to 195th Avenue should ease some of the pain of having the Anthony Henday Drive ring road come through.
“It is very good news because it puts a lot of pieces of the puzzle together.”
When the Henday is finished in 2011 the current access to the Edmonton Garrison from 97th Street will be closed. Rigney said having an upgraded 195th Avenue should make the changes easier to bear.
“This isn’t perfect, but it is as close as it is going to get.”
The county has already started an upgrade to 195th Avenue from 127th Street to Highway 28 on its own, but Rigney said Sturgeon could never have completed the road without other government support.
Both municipalities will have to spend much of their own money to complete the project as well.
According to early estimates, Morinville will need an additional $5 to $6 million to complete the community centre on top of $6 million in grants.
Sturgeon County gave first reading to a borrowing bylaw on May 8 for $5.1 million of its share for the 195th Avenue project.
