New playground equipment for Gleichen

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Playground equipment in several hamlets of Wheatland County is being inspected for maintenance and safety, which led to the decision by Wheatland County to replace equipment in Gleichen.
“Safety concerns were discovered during some recent inspections,” said division 2 Councillor Amber Link. “The unsafe equipment has been removed and we’re currently in a consultation stage to gauge needs and what the community is hoping for. Replacement equipment likely won’t be installed until next year.”
The hamlet had recently expressed an interest in retaining the decommissioned school and the county approved upgrades on the area arena.
“Council agreed at the May 15 council meeting to request ownership of the property and building known as Central Bow Valley School from Golden Hills School Division. We currently are working on scheduling a meeting to discuss some of the conditions in the proposed purchase agreement,” said Link. “Council does not have any immediate plans for the school, but there are community members who are actively investigating potential uses. Council approved the recommended upgrades from the facility audit done for Gleichen arena, to a maximum of $2 million. The primary upgrade is the installation of a new ice plant, which we are anticipating will be complete in time for the arena to be operational this winter.”
Wheatland council also approved lease revisions for the Gleichen Hall.

Pigeon predicament
Concerns have been raised by the public in the hamlet of Cluny about the old Cluny Hall. The hall now belongs to a private owner.
“We have had a few calls lately on the unsightliness of the property and we have a pigeon problem,” said division one Councillor Jason Wilson.
Alberta hunting regulations indicate pigeons are not protected in the province. Other non-protected bird species in Alberta include starlings, crows, house (English) sparrows, magpies, blackbirds, common grackles, brown-headed cowbirds, ravens (hunted on private land by residents) and any other birds for which an open season has been declared by the regulations.
Alberta Wildlife lists pigeons (rock dove) as a pest and an inspector can, under the Agricultural Pests Act, issue a demand that a property owner deal with pests in a given manner, in a given length of time. Failure to comply could net up to $5,000 in fines or failure to pay nets a 60-day jail term.
Wheatland County administration said it’s aware of the problems with the property and council directed them to research measures to deal with the problem and bring it back to council.

Putting out the welcome mat
Wheatland County Economic Development committee has suggested three wayfinding signs be installed in the county, which will help visitors locate themselves with help of a Wheatland County map. They will be put up to promote Wheatland County.
An additional welcome sign, complete with 10 business designations, will be posted outside the south entrance to Carseland. The cost of the signage and installation will be $35,000 and is approved by the County, pending approval by Alberta Transportation, with the funds coming out of the economic development budget.
Another initiative supported by the committee and Wheatland County, in partnership with Canadian Badlands and Alberta Culture and Tourism, is the Roger Brooks community development tour. The date has been moved to Sept. 21 and will be held at the Strathmore Travelodge. Tickets can be secured through the Eventbrite ticket agency website.

Investments profit from interest rate increases
Wheatland County’s financial staff had a pleasant surprise for Wheatland County councillors on Sept. 4.
“Due to the increase in the interest rates that the Bank of Canada has done – I believe they have raised it over four times in the last year – it has resulted in our GICs, securities and secured investments that the county invests as part of our policy, as an increased rate for us and resulted increased investment,” said Brian Henderson, Wheatland County’s corporate and financial services manager.
He said the increase resulted in about $300,000 over the year and almost doubled their rate of return, from 1.5 per cent to three per cent.

Handibus support continues
On Sept. 4, Wheatland County showed its support for the Strathmore Handi-Bus Association by approving $35,000 in funding for 2018.
The Handi-Bus Association asked whether future funding could be approved at $35,700 for 2019, $36,414 for 2020 and $37,142.28 for 2021.
Glenn Koester mentioned future funding structures were considered in the past, and administration gathered information on how to provide that, but the conclusion was that a yearly allotment was what council would support.
Councillor Tom Ikert wondered if there were statistics as to the usage in the county. Councillor Donna Biggar said Speargrass and Carseland and other rural ratepayers use the bus. Strathmore did have higher statistics, but many people who have lived in the county retire to Strathmore and some travel to Strathmore and are picked up there. Alan Parkin, Wheatland County’s chief administrative officer, said the cost for pickup of rural clients is more expensive than pickups in Strathmore due to travel distances, so lower numbers would not reflect the entire picture for the service.
Councillor Ben Armstrong mentioned that the Drumheller Handi-Bus also provides service to people in Wheatland County and support is also considered by council, when the ask is forwarded. He suggested if council is considering future funding it should be extended to both services.

Public hearings scheduled for Oct. 2
Several public hearings are scheduled for Wheatland County council. One slated is a 29.5 acre agriculturally zoned parcel conversion to industrial. The property is situated just east of the Wheatland County and Rocky View County boundary on Highway 1, adjacent to the existing Wheatland Industrial Park. The owner hopes to sell the land to an industrial developer and doesn’t intend to break the parcel into smaller lots, which would mean the application would have to be approved by the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board.
“The concerns about pre-zoning will be addressed at the development stage, as well as addressing the MGA changes that existed with pre-zoning,” said Colton Nickel, Wheatland County’s senior planner.
Staff recommended the measure, as it complied with all requirements. Due to the location of the property, they indicated it would be a good use of the property as it is adjacent to the existing industrial park. Any environmental conditions could be applied to address the wetland areas at the subdivision stage. A transportation assessment and storm water plan will also be required at subdivision or development stage.
Another land matter up for public hearing is a subdivision zoning change to a five-acre county residential parcel from agriculture zoning, located close to the Village of Standard, intended for the development of acreages.