In July 2023, The Village of Rockyford’s Council closed the multi-purpose community hub, Prairie Ridge Park, in the interest of the public's safety. There was water leaking from the roof resulting in parts of it becoming saturated causing sagging and cracks in the walls.
“Council is now determining this year, whether we will go through repairs, or what the community wants to see us do with the building,” says Rockyford Mayor Darcy Burke.
The community has come forward with many options about what can be done with the building.
Over the next few weeks Council will discuss looking into the costs for repairs, or whether a total demolition is called for. “There are many options on the table but Council has not concluded on anything definite yet,” explains Mayor Burke.
Some of the major challenges for The Village of Rockyford over 2023, and continuing into 2024, are the increases in costs over a lot of their operational areas. Policing requisition, for example, will continually see an upward trend in municipal tax hikes.
“Municipal services costs compared to what our ratepayers provide, well, they will have to pay out of their pockets for the costs of services,” says Mayor Burke, “These are challenges we always want to be respectful of, with the public money we have to deal with.”
Council is in the process of reviewing the 2024 Budget. They know they cannot operate in 2024 without an increase in taxes and an accompanying increase in costs of services. Council is being very diligent in being respectful of the public money. There is an ongoing balance of what they can trim down on, or slightly increase in revenues, outside of taxation and costs of services.
It’s time for Rockyford to replace its rescue truck that responds to motor vehicle accidents and medical calls.
“This apparatus is nearing the end of its life soon. It takes two years to order a new truck. We’ve engaged with Rocky Mountain Phoenix out of Red Deer. This will cost just over $750,000. The Village of Rockyford will be sharing the cost with Rockyford Rural Fire Association and with Wheatland County,” says Mayor Burke, who is also the Deputy Chief. The truck will be ordered this year and delivery is expected to come in 2026.
The main infrastructure project for Rockyford in 2023 was the second block of Mainstreet, having put in turn-of-the-century sidewalks and lighting. “It was completed last year and looks excellent. It’s a great addition to our Mainstreet.”
In the summer, Rockyford hosted another successful Bull-a-Rama and Rodeo, with some of the best numbers they have seen attendance-wise.
