Sitting at his station, one of the 12 candidates running for a seat for Irricana town council, at the Irricana Town Forum on Oct. 10, incumbent and deputy mayor, Larry Martin was impressed by the turnout.
“I think it’s a great thing,” he said.
“Too many times we see not enough people coming out.”
As for why Martin decided to throw his hat into the mix once more, it’s because he feels there more to achieve.
“We started a lot of good things (this term) and I want to see them through.”
One of those “big ideas” is the athletic park that he announced his vision for this past June.
“Currently, there are some baseball diamonds and a couple of soccer fields,” he told council June 17.
“Over the course of the next year, I want a regulation football field with a four-lane track around it,” he said, adding that the field would also be large enough for soccer games.
Currently, the highest level of soccer offered in Irricana is U12 and he said there isn’t any football teams north of Airdrie.
Martin believes that it is worth exploring whether or not it is feasible.
“I believe it’s really necessary in east Rocky View,” he told Rocky View Weekly on Oct. 10.
“Each town has their own recreation centre that is unique to the town.”
Martin said he and council have received many letters of support from residents, and he believes that the cost could be covered by a Provincial grant. He was quick to add, that the project is still in the exploratory stages.
In addition to the athletic park, Martin would like to see the continuation of economic development and continued talks with Aqua 7 water commission.
“It’s a struggle (Aqua 7),” he said.
“It’s really difficult. We are in a 17-year contract with no escape clause. Water is a huge issue now and in the future. It’s hard to say if our voice is being heard (at the Aqua 7 board level).”
As for why Martin feels he should have a return term, he explains that he’s “very passionate about the community.”
Irricana residents can vote on Oct. 21 at the Irricana Community Hall from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.
