A community orchard available to all Stettler residents won’t be blooming any time soon after council agreed not to loan the Heartland Beautification Committee money to start the project this year.
Phase 1 of the Community Orchard, that would eventually see 1,000 plants including raspberries, apples, pears and cherries, required the town to provide $41,690.
The Heartland Beautification Committee has raised about $15,000 so far for the project and Phase 1 costs about $56,700.
Mayor Sean Nolls said the town should wait until the grants and donations come in for the project rather than fronting the money.
“When the money comes in then we can start. It’s just smart. It was presented to us as a no cost to the town project.”
Likewise, Coun. Malcolm Fischer said $41,000 is a lot of money to just hand over and the town should wait until they have the donations and grants.
“I think spend it when you have it.”
Lisa Joy
ECA Review
