Strathmore and County agree on recreation facility partnership

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Town of Strathmore representatives and Golden Hills Superintendent Bevan Daverne made an appearance near the end of Wheatland County’s regular council meeting on April 5 to see if council made a decision on if they were going to become a partner in the new recreation facility that’s going to be built in conjunction with the new Edgefield School.
The project’s total cost is $10 million and Strathmore passed a motion on Dec. 23, 2014 to committ up to $5 million, Golden Hills School Division contributed the $2 million that would’ve went to the school’s normal gymnasium.
The facility would include multi-sport courts, excluding an ice surface.
“If you decide not to be a partner, that sends us back to the drawing board,” said Daverne.
“We are coming to the end of the line. Our architects are chomping at the bit.”
After hearing from Daverne, Wheatland County’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Alan Parkin said it was up to council as to what direction they want to move with their portion of the facility.
With a lengthy discussion came a motion from Councillor Alice Booth to support the $ 3 million on the recreation facility with the condition of it being included in the 2017 budget and staff has to come up with the source as to where the funds will come from.
Additionally, the joint use agreement will have to be signed by both sides.
“Regarding the partnership, I’ll tell you, this is what it’s all about,” said Strathmore Mayor Michael Ell.
“The county, the school and the town working together to make sure all the students and all the people in the whole area can work together and play together. The option in regards to recreation just makes a healthier society. The students in the county and the students in the town are going to benefit from this partnership.”
Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester has visited multi-uses facilities around the province and said there seems to be a trend of counties and municipalities who are partnering up and building multi-use facilities for seniors right down to little kids who enjoy having them available.
“I think the partnership is great,” said Koester.
“We had a needs assessment and citizens voiced their concerns and I think this will fulfill the needs assessment as far as everyone using the walking track and places to play sports. Kids come to school here and share the buildings and might as well share the rec facilities too. It’s a good opportunity, it’s a good partnership, we could put our money together and gets something for a little bit better of a deal with a cooperation with everybody.”
The ground breaking for the recreation facility is set for the fall with the hope of being completed with the school in September 2017.
Daverne added there might be the possibility as the decision process moves along for community groups to raise funds to enhance the facility.