The Community
Press Telling Your Story
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Volume 113, Issue 27
$1 Including GST
Valley Ski Club receives $437,802 grant for slope stabilization and snowmaking upgrade The Valley Ski Club (Castor Association) is pleased to announce that it was the successful recipient of a CFEP grant, funded through the Alberta Lottery Fund, in support of the Ski Slope Stabi-
lization and Snowmaking Upgrade project. The Valley Ski Hill received $437,802 from the Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women towards
JOE HARTUNG PHOTO
The Valley Ski Club is celebrating a successful grant application through the Community Facility Enhancement Program resulting in it receiving $437,802 for slope stabilization and snowmaking upgrade projects. Slope stabilization work was underway at the hill in the fall of 2020.
project costs. The funding will complement support already received from Paintearth County, Flagstaff County and the Valley Ski Hill community. The Ski Hill first experienced a slope failure in 1997 and it has continued to worsen ever since. Over the past 24 years, through the hard work and generosity of the community, the slide has been repaired annually to enable ski hill operations. This summer, after many years of planning, work commenced on a permanent stabilization of the slope. This grant will enable the club to finish the slope stabilization project this summer as well as install upgrades to snowmaking and electrical infrastructure. “We are excited for what the future has in store for The Valley Ski Club,” says club President Grant Boddy. “This project will decrease the work required to prepare the hill for snowmaking and increase our snowmaking efficiency.
“Now, as long as the weather cooperates it should put us on track for earlier openings in the future.” Unfortunately, the weather has not cooperated with the club this year. The unseasonably warm temperatures significantly hampered snowmaking efforts in December. With forecasts predicting continued mild weather through mid-January, the board made the difficult decision on Friday, Jan. 8, not to proceed with the current season. Those who purchased Season’s passes have been given the option to receive refunds or roll their passes over to the 2021/22 season. While the suspension of this season may be disappointing for local snow sports enthusiasts, there is also cause for a renewed sense of optimism for the long-term operation of the club. As the membership prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the club next season, the future looks bright indeed.
Sedgewick receives grant for arena roof repairs Leslie Cholowsky Editor
“It really gives our budget some breathing room,” said Jim Fedyk, Sedgewick Chief Administration Officer (CAO); after sharing the news that the Friends of the Sedgewick Recreation Centre Society will receive Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant funding in the amount of $530,188 towards the Sedgewick Wild Rose Co-op Recreation Centre Arena roof repair project. Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely commented on the grant approval, saying, “As the Constituency MLA, I was very glad to have been able to advocate for these two important projects that have such a strong impact on the quality of life for the local citizens. I look forward to celebrating in person with everyone and seeing the progress on these projects as they proceed.” The second project she refers to is a successful grant for the Valley Ski Hill slope stabilization project. (story below) Sedgewick Mayor Perry Robinson says, “The worthy members of our organization who should be recognized in this triumph are our CAO, Jim Fedyk and
Connie MacArthur, Treasurer of the Rec Board. “It is their hard work, skill and diligence that has brought this about and all Council agrees that it is they that are deserving of the accolades that are forthcoming regarding such success.” Sedgewick Town Council approved a draft 2021 capital budget in early December, deciding to go ahead with critical roof replacement and ventilation system upgrades with a total project budget of $1.3 million. Plans were to use existing and future Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) grant funding, Federal Gas Tax grant funding, and Recreation Board contributions to pay for the project, along with an expected $90,000 debenture loan. Fedyk indicated in December that if the CFEP grant application did receive approval, it would eliminate the need for a debenture, and also free up a good portion of the MSI funding, which could then be put towards other projects in the town’s five-year capital forecast.
Work is expected to be tendered in March and completed before September 2021. The issues with the roof first came to light in December 2019 when Council was made aware of the results of an engineering report/testing that showed a uniform loss of approximately 25 per cent of the strength of roof purlins (structural beams and girders) that had been tested. After a special meeting of Council, the arena was closed on Dec. 9, 2019. Council reopened the arena Jan. 29, 2020, reporting that after consulting three engineers, a temporary solution had been found. Work commenced on Jan. 7 where 42 galvanized purlins were added to the roof structure, reducing the purlin spacing. Council reported then that, “A permanent fix of replacing the roof which is at the end of its life cycle and adding sufficient ventilation are being planned for a future off season.”
Page 10 - The Community Press, Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Alberta continues to celebrate rat free status If you’ve ever watched a mafia movie, you’ve seen a character or two mention how nobody likes a “rat” – a crook who tells on other crooks. In Alberta, we take it a bit more literally – we mean the rodents and take every measure possible to make sure they know it and don’t make a home here. This year marks 70 years of Alberta’s Rat Control Program. Started in 1950, the program ensures Albertans are safe from the environmental and economic destruction rats cause (chewing through crops, food storage, and property) and the diseases they carry with them (like hantavirus). We’re famously and proudly “rat-free,”one of the few jurisdictions in the world that can make that claim. It means we don’t allow rats to establish a permanent population within our borders. If rats are found in Alberta, they are immediately dealt with through proven control methods. Do your part. Report a rat. We owe our ratfree status not only to the hard work and dedication of Agriculture and Forestry’s rat control staff, but also the vigilance of farmers, municipalities, and counties. Early on, Alberta established a Rat Control Zone (RCZ) – a 29 km wide swath of land running along our eastern border from Cold Lake in the north to the Montana border in the south. The seven municipalities in the zone bear the most responsibility for rat control, and we support them through funding and supplies. Our Rat Control Program is a made-in-Alberta success story to a
worldwide problem, a model for other provinces, states, and countries facing the threat of these destructive pests. Rat control by the numbers. In 2019, Alberta’s rat control team launched 230 investigations, finding and eliminating six confirmed infestations – five in the RCZ and one in an urban setting. Nine solo rats were found in urban settings – these were most likely “hitchhikers” who jumped off a recreation vehicle or transport truck that travelled from outside Alberta. In 2020, the team conducted 411 Investigations, with eight confirmed infestations – three in the RCZ and five in towns or cities. They’ve also found 16 hitchhikers. Alberta has plenty of rodents often mistaken for rats. To help recognize rats, visit our Identifying rats page at https://www.alberta.ca /identifying-rats.aspx Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen Devin Dreeshen was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Forestry on April 30, 2019. Editor’s Note: The Province of Alberta offers advice for dealing with other potential mammalian nuisances, including gophers, mice, moles, porcupines, rabbits, and skunks, all which can cause damage to crops, livestock, buildings, and equipment if not controlled properly. It also identifies Magpies, House Sparrows, and Starlings as nuisances, advocating the consideration of the beneficial aspects of these bird species when or if considering control programs.
Albertaʼs Rat Control program celebrated its 70th year in 2020. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen says, “Weʼre famously and proudly “rat-free,” one of the few jurisdictions in the world that can make that claim.” Above: The original Rat Control poster introduced in 1950 when the program started. Below: Present-day rat control counts on public participation to remain successful, with anyone who spots a rat encouraged to call it in.
The Community Press, Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - Page 11
January 2021 Meetings
Council C ouncil M Meetings eeetings etings lagstaff C ouncil FFlagstaff County ounty C Council ounciil M Meetings eetings onducted the 2nd aand 4th are cconducted are ednesday of each mon W nth Wednesday month ccommencing ommencing at 9 a.m u a.m.. unless o planned. planned otherwise ommitttee meeting Council Committee C ouncil and C ommit a aare re aav available agendas vailable att the County’s website C ounty’s ’s w ebsiite te at: flfflagstaff.ab.ca/council/meetings-andagstaffffff..a . b.ca/c .ca/ .ca/council/me council/me ouncil/mee eeetings-ande minu minutes m utes tes
780-384-4100 780 0-384-4100 0 384 4100 1-877-387-4100 1-8 77-387-4100 Email: SSt Stay ay C Connected onnected with U Us: s s:
Monday onday to Friday M to Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. p.m. p.m.) ((Closed Closed Noon Noon - 1 p.m.)
Address: A ddreess:
12435 TTo Township ow wnship 4442 Road 442 P.O. Box P.O. P. Box 358 33558 edgewi Sedgewick, Sedgew Se wi wic icck, AB T0B 4C00
Flagstaff County is now offering one-on-one business strategy sessions with business coach Amanda Wagner, to small businesses in the Flagstaff Region. After seeing some incredible changes in our Flagstaff Crafted businesses following their strategy sessions with Amanda, Flagstaff County sees great value in continuing to offer these sessions not only to Flagstaff Crafted makers, but also to small businesses in the Flagstaff Region as well. These sessions with Amanda will be focused on supporting small businesses to increase their growth and reach their goals. Together with business strategist Amanda Wagner, businesses will build their presence in the community (and beyond!). All of these things require focus, planning, and intentional work by participants.
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