The Airdrie and District Agricultural Society was hoping for a more affordable option for water and sewer for the proposed Agricultural and Recreational Park but was turned down by City council Oct. 3.
City staff presented a report to council stating that it is not feasible for Airdrie to service the park.
“The City of Airdrie, by agreement, is serviced by water and sewer trunk mains from the City of Calgary for use within the corporate limits of Airdrie only,” said Bob Neale with engineering services.
“Servicing outside the Airdrie boundary is currently not permitted. Staff discussed servicing outside Airdrie boundaries with Calgary and this was not met positively ”
The proposed park is located just west of the future annexation boundary near the intersection of Range Road 14 and Big Hill Springs Road. The planned park consists of show rings, bleachers, barns, a rodeo arena and meeting rooms, as well as a commercial complex, amenity area and a 125-site RV park.
Brenda Moon, president of the Airdrie and District Agricultural Society, said she anticipated the City’s response and the Society has already secured water with the Rocky View Water Co-op Ltd.
However, she said the progress on the park has slowed down for other reasons.
“The provincial government funding is slower than we expected and we will not start the project until we have the funding secured,” she said.
“The next three months will be extremely important to us because the stewardship of the land is extremely important to us.”
Moon said she hopes sight signage, construction and design plans and the engagement of project management can begin in 2012.
Lorne Stevens, director of community infrastructure, said the municipal development plan states: “in unusual circumstance, and where a clear benefit to the City may be demonstrated, the City may consider development out of sequence…”
“We contacted the City of Calgary and presented that view but the discussions were not met positively,” he said.
“We thought this development had a quasi-public service use. They (Calgary) are not supportive of extending our services outside the city.”
Stevens said the cost to the City for the water and sewer lines could exceed $6 million.
The proposed park is on Rocky View County land and Mayor Peter Brown said if the County joins the Calgary Regional Partnership, things would change dramatically.
Alderman Kelly Hegg said access to water and sewer for the park depends on political will of areas outside Airdrie’s jurisdiction.
“We will do our best to encourage the two municipalities to get together,” he said.
“Hope is not lost but at this time, this is all we can do.”
