Stettler Town and County Airport will get a new runway estimated at almost $600,000 as the partner municipalities seek full funding from the provincial government.
At their regular meetings last week, the Town of Stettler and the County of Stettler finalized an application to seek full funding from Alberta Infrastructure under the Community Airport Program for the project estimated at $595,760 to reconstruct the apron and to install a drainage system.
“By addressing the drainage at the time of reconstruction, we can get a structure that will last many years, and will only require asphalt overlays in the future,” said a report from Melissa Robbins, director of operational services for the Town of Stettler.
Work would be scheduled for next summer at a time that wouldn’t conflict with other events at the site.
As the final component to upgrade the facility, the new apron would be reduced to 35 meters wide by 187 meters long from 44.5 meters wide and 217 meters long to save on construction costs.
“Regular maintenance has been completed on the apron, however the structure is at a point of severe degradation, our maintenance efforts are no longer sustaining the life of the apron,” said Robbins.
Slow down on 57 Street
Motorists are advised to slow down on the north part of 57 Street (Tower Road) – recently annexed from the County of Stettler – with a new speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour although operational services director Melissa Robbins recommended the speed limit be dropped to 50km/h.
“Reducing the speed limit down to 50 for such a few houses is drastic,” said Councilor Leona Thorogood, who presented the motion to reduce the limit to 60km/h.
Councillor Al Campbell was the most vocal about the original recommendation.
“Fifty kilometers per hour is too slow – this is not needed at all.”
“Maybe we should keep it as is and monitor it, “said Councillor Campbell.
Rezoning bylaw adopted
Council adopted a landuse bylaw (2002-10) to rezone about 1.83 acres of land at 5202 – 61 Street to residential from urban reserve that could become part of a major development to add up to 400 residential units.
While three citizens attended the hearing, nobody expressed any view for or against the proposed amendment.
Stettler tentatively joins another watershed alliance
Town of Stettler joined the Battle River Watershed Alliance for one year with no membership fee as recommended by Councillor Al Campbell, who will serve as the town’s representative.
If the town finds the alliance is valuable after the first year, council may consider becoming a full-fledged member with annual fees.
Council renewed its membership with Red Deer River Watershed Alliance with an annual fee of $2,921 at 50 cents per resident.