Town of Stettler and Clearview School Division officially opened their new shared administrative building at the northeast corner of Main Street and 51 Avenue on Nov. 12.
Stettler Mayor Dick Richards and Clearview board Chair Ken Checkel cut the ribbon to the two-storey 18,000-square-foot building with a 6,000-square foot basement estimated at $4.9 million.
“This facility started with the idea that we could make downtown more vibrant and that we could make better use of our tax dollars by partnering with Clearview to share the building capital and operating costs,” said Mayor Richards.
“I stand in front of you today to report that the partnership is working well, we are both enjoying the facilities we could not afford on our own and that the downtown streetscape is helping ensure that our downtown continues to be vibrant and an attractive place to be.”
“I know we have ended up with a very efficient facility,” said Chair Checkel.
“By partnering together and sharing some of the common components of the building, we would end in being able to be part of a nicer building.”
“We got involved in the project back in 2005 when we knew we had to vacate our space at the Waverly Building.
Partnerships in the project were lauded by Drumheller-Stettler MLA and Alberta Infrastructure Minister Jack Hayden, a former local school trustee.
“Some of the best things we see happen in our communities is when we see people, groups, municipalities and school divisions work in a cooperative way,” said Hayden.
Construction began in June 2008 after the project was conceived over two years ago before Brenex Building Corporation was contracted as the project manager.
With the town on the main floor and the school division on the upper floor, with 12 offices on each floor, the building features various spaces in the new building including one large meeting room on the main floor to serve as council chambers and boardroom, other meeting rooms.
Both governing authorities share ongoing costs like utilities and maintenance.
The property also features plenty of parking spaces, a vast green area and public washrooms during business hours.
As well the façade and landscape coincides with the town’s Main Street beautification
project.