County dedication
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
On May 21, Wheatland County Council stepped out to dedicate the Centennial Park project at the County office, as well as the historic Caterpillar elevating grader that has been a focal point for the County office access road.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony were past and present council members, county staff, and donation patron Blaine Evans. The dedication was open to the public.
“An accumulation of events and efforts by past and present Wheatland Council and staff have led to the development and completion of this project. It started in 2005, and the plaques honour those involved and our road and construction crews,” said Reeve Glenn Koester.
Koester said grants were secured to beautify the front entrance with a flower garden and seating area for waiting ratepayers. The name of the park is derived from Alberta’s 100th Centennial celebration and the County’s 50th anniversary that occurred in 2005.
The No. 42 elevator grader had been donated to the County by the Evans family. Cam Evans originally purchased it for use in his Gleichen Construction company. Evans constructed roads in the Gleichen, Siksika, and Arrowwood area. In 1939, the machine sold for $5,300. An important selling feature was that it had its own 40 horsepower engine, or could be driven with a power take-off in tow of another tractor. It had an operating weight of 16,630 pounds. The equipment was made from 1935 until 1942, when it was phased out of production.
The Evans family donated the grader to the County in 2006, where it was restored to non-operable condition and strategically placed so Wheatland County ratepayers, residents and tourists could enjoy a historical reminder of road construction long past.
Blaine Evans said that his father would have been happy to see the grader preserved. He had memories of standing on top of the machine and operating it at the early age of 14. He felt that it was important to remember our rural heritage and provide learning opportunities for new generations as well.