Water has been on the minds of Rockyford residents and last year they have made great strides as part of a regional group worked to deliver it to area residents
The Mail took some time to talk with Rockyford Mayor Darcy Burke, and regional water has been a goal with the formation of the Wheatland Corporation. This year the tap was turned on for its line to Gleichen, and early in the new year water will be flowing to Rockyford.
“When it comes to the Wheatland Regional Corporation, it is kind of the star,” said Burke. “We’ve moved forward with phase one, we are in the final days of completing the financial part of phase one and there is water flowing from Standard to Gleichen, it has been done well,” he said.
“The system was just in the very first days of operation when that surge fire in Gleichen and Carsland broke out. The Fire department was filling in Gleichen, and we initiated our emergency response plan and we wereable to send 880,000 gallons to Gleichen in about a four hour time period to supply those fire departments,” he said.
He said most of the pipes are in the ground to Rockyford.
“Our date is March 31 to deliver that water to Rockyford, and all indicators are that we are going to make that date,” he said.
It was a great 2017 for Rockyford as the community celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Rockyford Rodeo, and also had the best ever Bullarama.
“Rockyford is built about rodeo…those two activities in this community were extremely successful in 2017,” said Burke.
Then followed the Bullarama in June with its Canada 150 celebration, which included a chili cook off, beach volleyball and the Gleichen Community Choir.
Some community infrastructure projects will continue into the New Year including the rehabilitation of the cemetery. Council is also redoing the main street. The sidewalks are going to be taken out, and they will be installing a boardwalk and turn of the century lanterns.
Council is also looking at a $760,000 capital investment in infrastructure including the replacement water and sewer lines and paving of 2nd Avenue East, as well as sewer upgrades at their popular campground.
Another big accomplishment in 2017, and a new challenge for the future, was the purchase of the Rockyford School. He says they have looked at what renovations are needed and planning to advertise commercial space.
“We have some interested parties already and we are happy to see that take place,” said Burke.
“I am now 20 years on municipal council and you have to think outside the box. Now we own this building, and we want to see the community grow. If we get some business here, it increases traffic flow, which then supports our businesses here. It is good planning and something for our council to look at and an exciting time for us.”
Looking forward, Rockyford will be celebrating its centennial in 2019, and already they are looking at planning the event.
“At the end of the month we are having the “Kick off to Rockyford 100,” and we are going to put together an organizing committee and those folk are going to be planning how we are going to roll out celebrations of our birthday,” he said.
