RSA lobbies for infrastructure timelines

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Jack Hayden, board chair with Rosebud School of the Arts, asked Wheatland County for some assurance that water and wastewater services are on track for Rosebud, because it is a concern for Rosebud residents, the school staff and students, and staff and patrons of Rosebud Theatre.
“We want to make sure Rosebud is there for another 40 years,” said Hayden. “That’s about how long it has been there now, but everything hangs in the balance, and the success of Rosebud Theatre will dictate whether it carries on or doesn’t.”
He requested an idea of the water and wastewater project timeline, and called for an update on progress for a safe drinking water/wastewater system.
Rosebud recently received a sustainability study grant of $85,000 and he said they didn’t want to duplicate actions that were already in motion by the county.
“It’s the first time we had an open meeting in Rosebud where people were allowed to ask questions, and there are people there who have millions of dollars invested in Rosebud,” said Hayden.
The current infrastructure services leave a big question affecting sustainable development and expansion for Rosebud.
The county had previously partnered with the University of Calgary on the Algae Wastewater Treatment Rosebud Pilot project in hopes it could be a solution for the area. It has not yet received approval under the standards set out by Alberta Environment.
Hayden wanted a clear picture of risks involved with the decaying infrastructure. He has fears that the various approvals and implementation plans could take many years.
“We currently truck the effluent away if it gets to a point. So, it is not that we are not in compliance; it is a matter that we just don’t have the capacity to expand it completely and that is the challenge. The system has aged beyond the condition to repair and has to be replaced,” said Alan Parkin, chief administrative officer with Wheatland County. He added that a new sewage lagoon was the first step, and the county has applied for a grant to pay for a new sewage lagoon. He felt they would get some notification about the grant after the recent election.
Hayden said the board may be open to a partnership with the county, to get water and wastewater issues solved.
Councillor Ben Armstrong said historically dealing with changing regulations and Alberta Environment has been a struggle, but he said the county is committed to continued support for the community.
“It may have its bumps, but we are not going to let Rosebud float down the river. We are not going to leave Rosebud suspended. I think you can leave here reassured that we are not going to walk away from what they have taken over 30 years to develop,” said Armstrong.
Reeve Amber Link stated that once the infrastructure is improved, then more land may be available for accommodations development in the future.
Councillor Scott Klassen also indicated there is possibly a plan to hook Rosebud into the Wheatland Regional Water Pipeline.
Haydan wanted to update Wheatland council on the challenges facing Rosebud School of the Arts.
“We both are facing some interesting things coming up in the future,” said Hayden. “I wanted to make you aware that the arts community, and even more so, the entertainment community in this province, with the downturn that has taken place in the economy, has been very severely affected. We have had a very difficult couple of years.”
He said his career background and experience in federal politics, serving as an adviser on sustainable communities and remote rural communities to Prime Minister Paul Martin, has prepared him to tackle challenges.
He said they are doing an organizational review and governance review, which has highlighted some areas for improvement, and this has led to a more aggressive marketing approach.
“There is a limited amount of disposable dollars in the province and they are very selective of where they spend them,” said Hayden.
He said RSA currently has a $600,000 debt that needs to be paid down. He said it is a bit concerning, as patron yearly memberships were down, but he is remaining positive and set a goal of committing $100,000 per year to that debt. He is confident they are turning the corner on difficult times.
Through a recent private donation, fundraising for future donations and applying for grants, the school hopes to wipe out their debt.
Wheatland County contributes $5,000 per year to the school, and Hayden voiced his appreciation for that support.