Swing set for Gleichen swings county council back and forth

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

After playground equipment in Gleichen was removed by Wheatland County due to deterioration, Wheatland County council recently disagreed on funding approval for new equipment.
Cost estimates for a swing set alone are $21,000 out of the $75,000 allotted for playground improvement.
Wheatland County Councillor Tom Ikert suggested the community ask for funding from the Community Regional Services Infrastructure Program or Community Enhancement Regional Board. He said he wanted to see community buy-in, rather than deliver a direct payment of other county funds, so it doesn’t set a precedent for other communities.
But Wheatland County’s reeve disagreed.
“I am deeply frustrated with this process,” said Reeve Amber Link. “There is the fact that council approved the budget with funds to replace the removed playground equipment. Our staff, with Jason (Wilson, councillor) and I in attendance, held a public engagement open house, where there were children, parents and grandparents who gave excited feedback about options that were presented, which were on a much bigger scale than the swing set. And now we are reneging to the community. I am disappointed in this process.”
Deputy Reeve Glenn Koester said the community should be consulted on its location and choice of equipment. He said he preferred it to be a community-driven initiative.
Councillor Scott Klassen said it really falls under different parameters, as the county took the playground equipment out due to safety issues and there is no guarantee the community will receive money under the funding and grant programs.
Link said it goes to a bigger issue of what the county wants to put into recreation for communities. She said it involves economic development as well, to maintain infrastructure and quality of life, so people will be attracted to these communities.
Koester cited the recent economic development draft that encourages the county to be involved, but that it was imperative citizen engagement is included. He didn’t want it to be perceived that it is the county telling the community what enhancements they will receive. He said community members working toward a project and maintaining it builds community spirit, pride and ownership.
Councillor Donna Biggar and Link noted community engagement had already been done and residents were expecting the equipment to be installed.
“I think we screwed up on process,” said Wilson. “I promise I will not look past funding again. We have to live with it. We have pushed ourselves in a corner, and we can’t get out of that.”
County council approved the funding allotted for the project, with the purchase of a swing set for the community.