Anxious to open more space for economic growth in Stettler, the town has initiated a northeast industrial area structure plan.
Town council awarded a contract at its regular meeting last week to Tagish Engineering of Red Deer in partnership with ZAP Municipal Consulting with Dave Dittrich of Stettler to update the current plan, adopted in 1980.
“The new plan will reflect the changes that have occurred in the town’s industrial lots and ensure all necessary engineering is in place to accommodate future industrial development,” said the report from Leann Graham, the town’s planning and development officer.
Located east of Stettler Auction Mart, the property of about 120 acres will allow for new industry to move into town, said Rob Stoutenberg, chief administrative officer.
“We are running out of room and now is the time to plan or the next phase,” Stoutenberg said.
Land back to school board
After the old Stettler Centennial Pool was demolished a few years ago, the land by Stettler Middle School has been returned to Clearview School Division.
“That’s their land,” said Mayor Dick Richards.
“They can use it for future expansion.”
Clearview has agreed to pay the town $106,500 — about 50 per cent of the cost to demolish the pool on the lands, states the agreement approved by the town.
In 1967, the town and school division (pre-Clearview) constructed a community pool in the Canadian centennial year on lands owned by the school division at the time.
The pool was closed in 2006 when the leisure pool was added at Stettler Recreation Centre.
New truck for public works
A new 2013 half-ton crew cab truck will arrive soon after council awarded the tender to Stettler Dodge with a bid of $27,094.20, lower than one other bid submitted.
It will be used for the water treatment plant and will replace the 2005 truck, which will be transferred to the parks department.
As well, it comes well under the budget of $40,000 in this year’s capital plan.