By Carson Ellis
For the Stettler Independent
Town of Stettler Director of Operations Melissa Robbins spoke to council at its meeting on Tuesday, April 16. She was addressing budget adjustments for portions of the upcoming runway improvements at the Stettler Airport.
The project will cost $1,975,930.
Last year, the project received grant funding for 75 per cent or $1,481,947.50 through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program under the Community Airport Program. The remaining 25 per cent funding will come from the Town and County, who will pay $250,000 each under the joint agreement.
Tender packages were sent out, with several bids returned. Robbins carefully went through the key points of the project’s costs, with construction set at $1.772 million.
Engineering and geotechnical costs are allotted at $160,000 plus a contingency budget of $44,000.
However, Robbins explained that she would prefer to see a larger contingency budget for the project, hoping for $177,000 instead.
Working within guidelines which would allow the quantities of the proposed project to be reduced by 15 per cent, which she plans to use to adjust the asphalt thickness.
According to Robbins, the west third of the runway will be a complete reconstruction requiring excavation, base, and asphalt, and is where she expects to need much of the contingency portion of the project budget.
Robbins plans to reduce the 100mm depth of asphalt on the surface to 75mm instead, giving her an additional $130,000 to work with. Robbins does say that if the complete rebuilding of the portion of the runway goes smoothly, they will go back to the 100mm as originally planned.
Robbins has spoken with the grant advisor at Alberta Transportation and says they are in support of the proposal, noting there were no extra funds available to try to access.
Coun. Scott Pfieffer asked if there was a chance the engineering aspect of the budget could come under budget, but Robbins said it would most likely be used completely although it isn’t a large part of the budget.
Coun. Lawlor inquired if the reduction of depth would affect the estimated life of the runway.
Director Robbins explained that most roads in Alberta are around 75mm, and although it would last potentially longer, it would still only be given a twenty-five-year expectancy, which is what the 100mm surface would be given as well.
The Airport board, which includes both Town and County and oversees the operation of the facility, is working closely with a local sprayer business that operates out of the airport. They are hoping to work around the spraying season to not negatively affect his business.
Administration recommended the Airport Rehabilitation Tender be awarded to Central City Asphalt at a cost of $1772,307.45 and the current contingency budget of $44,114, as well as Tagish Engineering Services for $159,507.
The town’s portion will be funded through the 2024 Capital budget.
Coun. Smith’s motion to accept the recommendation was carried.