Location chosen for new town hall

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

A location has been chosen for Strathmore’s new town hall. At the Strathmore town council meeting on Jan. 23, a majority vote means the town’s new municipal building will be located at the east end of the Kinsmen Park parking lot.
Various locations were considered by the town over the past several months. According to a news release from the town, “previous town councils and the current council carefully listened to feedback, criticism and considered all options to come to this decision.”
Doug Lagore, project lead with the Town of Strathmore, presented seven site options at the town council meeting. These included building in Kinsmen parking lot west; Kinsmen parking lot east; Kinsmen parking lot north; Lambert Park; the vacant lot adjacent to the Hi-Ho gas station; the existing town hall site; and the Kinsmen Park ball diamond.
The chosen location “is immediately east of the west site, adjacent to a vacant lot that resides between Kinsmen Park parking lot and the Hi-Ho gas station,” said Lagore. “This will still have an impact for the downtown core and will certainly complement the downtown.”
The footprint of the proposed town building represents approximately two per cent of the total park area. In addition, staff parking is proposed so it will not conflict with park users and will be constructed along the WID canal south and east of the proposed building location.
According to Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule, the east location would leave the parking lot intact, “and we would only need to beautify it and redesign it a bit,” he noted. “It also leaves the west gateway and the flower garden intact which I know is important to a lot of people.”
The lot next to the Hi-Ho gas station was one of the alternative sites suggested by Strathmore’s Kinsmen Club. However, Fule said that lot, which the town once owned but which is now held privately, would cost the town much more money.
“They have proposed that we purchase back the property next to the Hi-Ho, but I have strong concerns, and based on the information we’ve been provided and the amount of discussion and information that has unfortunately gone out into the public, I am not confident about getting a fair and good price to get that land back,” he said.
“Recent assessment values are between $800,000 and $1,500,000,” added Lagore. “There are a number of unknown impacts which require further assessment, including geotechnical work and unknown environmental costs at this time.”
The town also voted against building a new town hall directly south of where it currently sits. But according to Lagore, the cost has not yet been determined.
“The location will require the demolition and reclaiming of land for the buildings currently on site,” he said. “This site proposes further design of streetscapes, parking configuration and sidewalk development.”
The town plans on locating a new seniors lodge and hospice at its current site instead.
“This could be an amazing spot for our seniors and our people are at end-of-life care,” said Fule. “This property for a seniors lodge and hospice is close to RCMP, almost next door to the health unit, close to two restaurants and two elementary schools where partnerships could be had to involve young students reading with seniors. Seniors can go across the street and watch kids at play in the playground as well.
“Lastly, this spot for a seniors lodge and hospice would be close to the Trans-Canada Highway in case there’s emergency transport that needs to be done to the Peter Lougheed hospital.”
Construction for the new town hall is slated to start after Canada Day.