Concerns about the structural integrity of a community hub in the Village of Rockyford has prompted village council to temporarily close the facility in the interest of public safety.
Rockyford Mayor Darcy Burke called a special meeting of council on Wednesday, July 26 to discuss the future of its community hub, Prairie Ridge Park.
“Even with the limited rain we have had, the roof has had some leaks,” explains Mayor Burke.
This leaking has resulted in portions of the roof becoming saturated, and there has been some sagging which has also caused some cracks in the walls of the affected areas. In the interest of public safety, council decided to stop public access for the time being.
The community hub was located in the former Rockyford School, which closed its doors to students in 2016. It was acquired by the village the following year and has since served as a multi-purpose community hub.
“There’s a lot of history in there, a lot of sentimental value and memories,” he says, noting the gymnasium has murals from various classes when the facility operated as a school.
Several user groups currently utilize the facility, including a playschool and sports groups, and the closure of Prairie Ridge Park will have a huge impact on the village. Once quotes are obtained, a community engagement session will be held to gather input from residents and stakeholders to help determine the future of the facility, whether it is most cost effective to repair the building, or demolish it.

Starland County is working with Palliser Municipal Regional Services to update and amend its Land Use Bylaw (LUB).
A Land Use Bylaw is required for a municipality and is a zoning rulebook that sets building and development regulations for municipalities in Alberta. An LUB regulates what land can be used for and what size and type of buildings are allowed.
The last Land Use Bylaw was passed in 2017, and according to its document package, “since that time the province has significantly changed provincial legislation and the LUB needs to be updated to align with those changes. Additionally, the province directed all municipalities look at ways to reduce “red tape”. Draft revisions are believed to reduce red tape in the Land Use Bylaw while allowing more development opportunities for landowners and citizens.”
There are a number of steps in creating a new Land Use Bylaw. A draft is prepared using input from staff and councillors at workshops. The draft is then presented at an open house, which was on June 27. There is also a period of public engagement and that often includes a period for residents to make submissions or complete surveys.
When a draft is complete, it then goes through the process of passing a bylaw, which includes three readings and a public hearing.
Reeve Steve Wannstrom tells the Mail much of the revisions are simple wording and formatting as well as updates to comply with changing legislation.
“I think the only thing we added is that we would be accepting to an SMR (Small Modular Reactor). As much as we don’t regulate it we just want to know that we are open to it,” he said.
Starland has been looking at being a site for companies to set up SMRs to produce clean energy. In the fall of 2021 the County sponsored a resolution to Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) to “encourage and collaborate with the Government of Alberta to create an awareness campaign to engage with the public on information related to nuclear technology and small modular reactors specifically.”  It was passed by RMA.
In April 2021, the Government of Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding with New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan to support the development and deployment of SMRs.
Wannstrom feels it is important to educate the population about SMRs. Technology has advanced and safety has improved, and they are not what most envision when it comes to nuclear power.
There is no date indicated on when the LUB will return for passing.