Rocky View County council unanimously voted to take over a portion of land in East Balzac to complete the construction of CrossIron Drive, June 5.
The land is located east of Range Road 292 on the north side of MacDonald Lake. County staff told council the completion of the roadway will provide direct access to the Target distribution centre and other proposed developments in the area, as well as supporting increased traffic volumes these developments will cause.
Councillor Lois Habberfield motioned to expropriate the land.
High school scoreboard
Council unanimously voted to redirect $13,776 of the Chestermere Athletics Association’s (CAA) remaining 2011 recreation grant funding to purchase a new outdoor scoreboard at Chestermere High School.
Kimberly Keuber of the County’s community services department told council the CAA, which received $132,650 to install field lights last summer, came in $15,403 under budget.
She said the CAA thought the most appropriate use of the remaining funds would be to replace the school’s outdated scoreboard, which is costly to maintain.
“It’s always nice to see a project come in under budget, and to replace the scoreboard is a reasonable request,” said Councillor Lois Habberfield.
The CAA will contribute an additional $10,824 to the cost of the purchase and installation of the scoreboard. The new board is expected to be installed in mid-June.
Curling rink expansion
Council voted to write a letter to the Cochrane Curling Club supporting, in principle, the development of a new curling facility at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
Dari Lang of Community Services told council the club has outgrown its current rink and has been in discussion with the County, the Town of Cochrane and Spray Lake Sawmills to construct a two-story, 30,000-square-foot curling facility at the centre. The facility would include six curling sheets, change rooms and a restaurant.
Lang told council a letter of support would not obligate the County to provide any funding to the expansion, which is in its early stages.
Councillor Paul McLean motioned that council write the letter. The motion was carried 8-1, with Deputy Reeve Margaret Bahcheli opposed.
“I am supportive of providing moral support to the fundraising efforts, but (would prefer) if we could water down this letter so it’s not financially binding,” said Bahcheli.
Parade truck upgrades
Council voted to allocate $10,000 to restoring and upgrading the County’s vintage parade truck.
The funds, in addition to $16,500 of collected donations, will be used to upgrade the vehicle’s brakes and complete the restoration of the body and cab.
County staff presented council with two options, the first being $10,000 in upgrades, and the second being $28,500. The more expensive option includes upgrading the power train and suspension to include a new V8 engine with electronic ignition and fuel injection, automatic transmission, power steering and air conditioning.
“I’m inclined to keep the truck as close to its origin as possible,” said Bahcheli.
Habberfield said she would prefer to fundraise for the additional money, instead of using tax dollars.
After much discussion, council voted 7-2 in favour of the $10,000 option, with Councillor Greg Boehlke and Habberfield opposed.
