Rocky View County (RVC) council unanimously approved a total of $116,236 in community recreation funding from the Bow North Recreation Board’s (BNRB) section of the public reserve for four projects at its regular meeting on Nov. 5.
The Friends of Sarah Thompson Elementary Society, a newly-formed organization in Langdon, was approved for $15,000 to assist with building a playground at the Sarah Thompson Elementary School (STES) in Langdon. Rocky View Schools (RVS) provided a letter to council to show its commitment to match RVC’s funding amount.
The STES opened in 2012 for students in kindergarten to Grade 5, and currently doesn’t have a playground.
The structure will be designed for kids ages five to 12.
According to a report submitted to council, RVS and RVC match funds for projects located on school property and allow it to be used by the public.
“This collaborate approach creates opportunity for the development of recreational amenities in our communities,” stated the report.
The total project cost is $166,530. The society plans to raise the remaining funds through provincial grants and corporate fundraising. If successful, construction on the playground is expected to begin in the spring of 2014 and be finished by the summer.
Council approved funding not to exceed $62,709 for a second playground in Langdon. The Langdon Community Association (LCA) plans to build a new playground in the community park as the current structure requires significant upgrades to meet safety standards.
The total project cost is $125,419 and the LCA has already raised the remaining 50 per cent. It will be designed for kids ages five and younger to complement the park being built at STES.
According to an administration report, Langdon is “one of the fastest growing hamlets in the county. With a population of 4,897, Langdon houses a number of young families and small children.”
Another report stated the hamlet currently “has minimal recreational amenities to support the residents.” It has “a few small, privately-run community halls and a public park that is operated by a not-for-profit organization.”
The Langdon Recreation Centre Society (LRCS) – a newly-formed organization in Langdon - requested RVC’s support of $15,480 towards the total project cost of $30,960 to develop a feasibility plan that will identify future recreational amenities in Langdon.
The society formed in July, intends for the plan to include “a comprehensive report identifying facility types, conceptual drawings, an economic budget and short- and long-term phasing options.”
The LRCS is contributing the remaining 50 per cent of the project cost. Throughout the summer, the society completed an online survey and a door-to-door campaign to develop consensus from the residents about desires for future amenities in Langdon.
Dari Lang, RVC recreation services coordinator, told council the feasibility plan will “complement” the Recreation Master Plan the County is currently developing and planning to have complete by September 2014.
The Recreation Master Plan will be used to guide council to identify where new recreational infrastructure should be located in the county, how to fund new projects and when projects will be implemented.
Council also approved funding not to exceed $23,047 to represent 50 per cent of the total cost required for improvements to the Bow Valley Agricultural Society’s facility.
The project includes replacing fire panels in order to meet fire codes, replacing all the lights in the facility that were originally installed in 1994, and installing electronic water conditioners that Lang said are intended to “prolong the life of the hot water tanks at the facility.”
