The Village of Delia is giving the sidewalks on Main Street some much needed attention. Come this fall, the sidewalks on Main Street will be completely redone, minus cement.
    The new sidewalks will be made from blocks of recycled tires, similar to what is used on some playgrounds. It is hoped things will start within the next couple weeks and be finished in September.
    “We’ve got sidewalk blocks made out of recycled tires. We just ordered them, so we’re hoping to start by the middle of August,” said CAO Caroline Siverson.
    So far, Main Street is the only street slated to be redone.
    “All of our sidewalks need attention. They’re all the original sidewalks put in 50 to 60 years ago. Over the years they’ve deteriorated. It would be great to do the rest of Delia, but it would be quite expensive. This project alone is about $55,000. It’s cheaper than replacing them with cement,” said Siverson.
    In March, the Village applied for and received the Municipal Demonstration Grant from Alberta Recycling. The grant helps communities purchase products made from recycled tires.
    The new sidewalk material has a couple benefits over traditional cement aside from the lower cost. The sidewalks should be softer to walk on and are easier to work with when repairs are needed.
    “They’re soft to walk on, they have a little bit of give, unlike cement,” said Siverson. “If we have an issue with a water valve in front of a business, we don’t have to destroy the sidewalk. We can take these pieces out and then put them back later.”
    The project is part of the Village’s plans to get ready for its centennial celebration in 2014.
    “Council decided to do Main Street, because it's our centennial in two years. We wanted to revitalize Main Street and this is the first step,” said Siverson. “This is the street everyone drives down, so we want to make sure it looks good.”
    Siverson went on to explain a further step could include planting trees along Main Street.
    The project also shows Delia’s commitment to going green.
    “Our community really focuses on being green and recycling. When we do something, we try to think of what is best for the environment,” said Siverson. “It’s a good opportunity to showcase how the community is trying to be environmentally conscious.”
    Work on the new sidewalk is expected to begin by mid August and should be completed by the end of September.