Mayor lays out goals for new year
The construction of a community facility will be the priority of Drumheller Town Council moving into the new year, says Mayor Bryce Nimmo.
The Mayor made himself available to members of Drumheller’s media on Wednesday, January 15 to outline some of the struggles and accomplishments of the previous year, and to map out a course going into 2009. High on the list of accomplishments, and priorities moving forward is a community facility.
Last year the town conducted a survey along with a census. This survey revealed support for developing recreation facilities. A successful plebiscite signaled the town could move forward on planning and building a facility.
“The survey indicated it is important for our citizens, and secondly, it is at a time that more than likely when we get our funding in place, and decide what we would like in the facility, there is a good chance we could build that facility for less that we thought we could,” said Nimmo. “It appears the slowdown in the economy is helping a lot for projects that were getting out of line because of costs.”
The Mayor made himself available to members of Drumheller’s media on Wednesday, January 15 to outline some of the struggles and accomplishments of the previous year, and to map out a course going into 2009. High on the list of accomplishments, and priorities moving forward is a community facility.
Last year the town conducted a survey along with a census. This survey revealed support for developing recreation facilities. A successful plebiscite signaled the town could move forward on planning and building a facility.
“The survey indicated it is important for our citizens, and secondly, it is at a time that more than likely when we get our funding in place, and decide what we would like in the facility, there is a good chance we could build that facility for less that we thought we could,” said Nimmo. “It appears the slowdown in the economy is helping a lot for projects that were getting out of line because of costs.”
He adds, as governments look to stimulate the economy, this type of project may fit the bill.
“As far as us lobbying for funds for the community facility our
chances are better than ever,” said Nimmo. “The provincial government
and the federal government have said they want to put money into
infrastructure… community facilities are part of that.”
“While they are trying to stimulate the economy, they also see there is a good chance that it might come in with less cost.”
Currently the committee is moving towards public meetings to consult residents on the project. From there, they will work towards coming up with a plan and the financing. Nimmo says if everything goes smoothly, they should be on site by this fall.
One challenge the town faced in recent history was dealing with breaking in a new staff. Michael Roy came in as director of Corporate Services, Paul Salvadore is the new director of Community Services and Al Kendrick came on as director of Infrastructure Service.
“That is major, and it is a challenge. The positions are all filled and they are working very much towards improving… and I can say they are making strides and it is encouraging,” said Nimmo.
Another challenge in 2008 was the not-so-clear water coming out of resident’s taps. Causes indicated were a mechanical malfunction, over concentration of potassium permanganate in the water, and high velocities of water after the town turned on its high pressure pumps to keep up with demand, stirring up sediment. Nimmo said the situation is now under control, and there will be more flushing in the spring to maintain water quality.
Other priorities in the new year include completing a transportation study for the town, the transferring of ambulance services, working on building a regional economic alliance and continuing to lobby for a post secondary institution.
“While they are trying to stimulate the economy, they also see there is a good chance that it might come in with less cost.”
Currently the committee is moving towards public meetings to consult residents on the project. From there, they will work towards coming up with a plan and the financing. Nimmo says if everything goes smoothly, they should be on site by this fall.
One challenge the town faced in recent history was dealing with breaking in a new staff. Michael Roy came in as director of Corporate Services, Paul Salvadore is the new director of Community Services and Al Kendrick came on as director of Infrastructure Service.
“That is major, and it is a challenge. The positions are all filled and they are working very much towards improving… and I can say they are making strides and it is encouraging,” said Nimmo.
Another challenge in 2008 was the not-so-clear water coming out of resident’s taps. Causes indicated were a mechanical malfunction, over concentration of potassium permanganate in the water, and high velocities of water after the town turned on its high pressure pumps to keep up with demand, stirring up sediment. Nimmo said the situation is now under control, and there will be more flushing in the spring to maintain water quality.
Other priorities in the new year include completing a transportation study for the town, the transferring of ambulance services, working on building a regional economic alliance and continuing to lobby for a post secondary institution.
