Sewer connections in Gadsby were back before Stettler County council on April 23.
At a previous council meeting, council had instructed administration to look at costs and building uses for the old bank building, the old church, and the ball diamonds. All three are being considered for connections to the sewer system while work in the hamlet is being done.
Director of Operations Greg Jackson noted that the bank building in the community would cost around $6,000 to connect to the sewer system.
During the discussion, it was noted that there has been zero interest in renting the building since the county has taken it over and it is no longer connected to the municipal water system due to routing of pipes through private property.
"There's some concerns with regards to the age of the building," said Jackson, responding to a question about the structural integrity of the building. Jackson noted that leaks have been reported in the roof of the building.
Jackson also confirmed that if the county were to re-connect water and connect sewer to the structure, there are currently no known concerns of asbestos. If the county ultimately ended up tearing down the structure, that could change.
"Historically, the demand for older buildings in hamlets is not there," said Coun. Les Stulberg. "I don't think we should be putting money into it."
To connect sewage to the church building would cost a little more.
The request for council decision (RCD) in the council agenda package notes that the connection would cost around $10,000. The church building is seasonally connected to the water line, however, according to Jackson, there is very little interest in its use.
As for the ball diamonds, the cost to connect the ball diamond building to the sewage system would be around $7,200; in addition, another $10-15,000 could be budgeted to install a sani-dump at that location.
The ball diamond building is also seasonally connected to the municipal water system.
"To me, the ball diamonds have more potential for use," said Stulberg.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Yvette Cassidy noted that should council choose to proceed with the work, it could be funded through a combination of government grants and transition funds received from when the village dissolved into the county.
"We have the money, we have to spend it," said Cassidy, speaking about the transition funding and grants.
Director of Municipal Services Andrew Brysiuk added that the work could always be done later without a significant financial impact as the contractor doing work connecting the hamlet residents to sewer is local and the mobilization costs would be minimal.
Coun. Ernie Gender moved to proceed with the work at the ball diamonds, excluding the RV sani-dump, but ultimately accepted a friendly amendment from Coun. James Nibourg to allow that portion to proceed, with total costs of the project not to exceed $17,000. The motion carried.
