Like many communities, the Village of Carbon was faced with the challenge of navigating event and project cancellations and postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While major infrastructure projects were put on hold in 2020, there is plenty the village can be proud of—and much to look forward to in 2021.
The village office and public works shop were closed to the public at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council also provided assistance to residents facing financial hardships by waiving utility penalties until the September billing cycle, and allowing residents to make payment arrangements.
Social distancing regulations cancelled many events, including the annual Sports Day. Despite these cancellations, and the closure of the Carbon Centennial Swimming Pool over the summer, the village opened its campgrounds at 50 per cent capacity on June 1. The closure of the pool had some impacts to camping numbers, however, it allowed time for the painting of new murals.
Families also cancelled birthday parties to adhere to increasing restrictions and the volunteer members of Carbon Fire Department stepped in to hold drive-by birthday celebrations for those children who were unable to have birthday parties.
To adhere to social distancing regulations, the village has been holding council meetings via teleconference to allow residents to attend remotely.
Repairs to a walking path, which was damaged in 2018 due to overland flooding of Kneehill Creek, began in August as a capital construction project.
Council also passed amendments to the land use bylaw in August, allowing manufactured and modular homes in the Diamond Estates subdivision on the east side of the village. The subdivision was originally developed in 2009; however, due to limitations on the types of homes which could be built, only two lots had been purchased and developed prior to the bylaw amendment.
Since the amendments were passed, five residential lots have been purchased in the subdivision and are pending further development.
Carbon’s council is made up of Mayor Bryan Peever, Deputy Mayor Dan Clow, Councillor Renee O’Brien, Councillor Michelle Lomond, and Councillor Deb Dunford.
