4-H Club supported with bench and bike rack project
During their regular meeting on Feb. 1, Crossfield Town council members voted unanimously in favour of supporting the Helping Hands 4-H Multi Club with a unique project that would help members develop and enhance skills in fabrication and welding, while also providing the community with a new bench and bike rack.
The Town of Crossfield administration team is set to work with the club over the coming months to determine an appropriate location to install the project. Installation is scheduled for mid-May, and the completion of the project is estimated for early June.
According to 4-H Club member, Austin Clayton, the proposed bench/bike rack will hold up to five bikes and will feature two benches on the front of the rack.
“This will be a heavy-duty item constructed with high-speed steel,” he said during the council meeting. “In addition, the bench will be professionally coated and will utilize heavy stock boards for the seat.
“This will ensure durability and will last for a number of years.”
He added he and his team wanted to build something while learning new skills and giving something to the community that Crossfieldians could use on a regular basis.
“We also wanted to work with a team and have fun,” he said. “It will be a straight-forward project that allows club members to develop their fabrication and welding skills.”
He added club members evaluated several projects and determined the bench bike rack would provide the greatest benefit to the community, as there are very few bike racks around town and a limited number of benches in town parks.
Proposed locations for the new bench/bike rack include Banta Park, McCaskill Park, Murdoch Park, Amery Park, and Veterans Park (near the disc golf course), or alternatively, on a downtown sidewalk along Railway Street.
“The bench/bike rack will help raise awareness of the Helping Hands 4-H community,” said a fellow 4-H club member and presenter during the meeting. “This project allows club members to apply artistic ability by creatively painting the surface of the seat and frame.”
According to presenters, the Town would not have to provide any funding for the project as the club is working with various local organizations to secure grant funding on their own. They also have the financial backstop to fund the project until grant monies can be secured.
Fabrication on the bench/bike rack is set to begin by mid-February.
In response to the presentation, Coun. Justin Gustafson said considering the club’s work on the disc golf course last year and its subsequent success, he is certain this project will also bear fruit.
Similarly, Mayor Kim Harris said the presentation was “top-notch” and presenters “nailed it from start to finish.”
Lease agreements extended for one year
Also on Feb. 1, council voted for Town administration to extend all lease agreements with the municipality that come due in 2022 for a one-year period, allowing staff to review the results the community social needs assessment that will be completed later this year.
While Coun. Shawn Vang was absent from the meeting, remaining council members voted 4-2 in favour of adopting the motion to extend all leases. Coun. Mike Knight, and Coun. Justin Gustafson were the two who voted in opposition.
Council directed administration in November 2021 to research and provide a draft policy on processes for review and development of lease rental agreements for Town-owned lands and facilities as part of its strategic planning.
According to staff members, by extending all leases, administration will have ample time to review the content of lease agreements and discuss the history and quality of each site in preparation for the Town’s strategic planning process.
The process which will follow the recreation needs assessment will determine the Town’s priorities with regards to green spaces and recreation facilities.
Rather than review all leases at the conclusion of the recreational needs assessment, Coun. Jo Lambert suggested all leases that come due in 2022 be renewed for one year. She said that way, staff members will not have to present the matter to council again in the future.
Mayor Harris said the proposed motion would give administration time to “work on the leases, massage them, and do the best thing for Crossfield.”
Lambert’s motion ultimately passed.
