Attendants for the Coronation campground, Wendy and Jim Dafoe were present for the May 14 council meeting and expressed to council the need for an additional playground to be set up on the north end, new bathrooms at the south end of the current playground and the existing showers could possibly be renovated to include washer and dryers and to have a better ventilating system.
They have had campers comment and complain about these issues.
Dafoe’s stated that once the new sites at the dam are fully developed there will be 39 full-service sites, 11 power/water sites, four no service sites and several areas for tents.
If the campground is at full capacity, this may be over 200 people, and a high percentage of those could be children.
“I have had someone come forward with $5,000 specifically for a playground; it can’t be used for anything else,” Wendy stated.
No decisions on the construction of new washroom facilities were made however council thought a start on a new play area could begin with the funds that have been donated.
In other campground related news council voted to have VITAL Networks Inc. install Wifi service at the Coronation campground.
The installation fee would be estimated at $6,527 with an annual fee of approximately $735 that would provide service for six months then the system would go into hibernation over the winter months.
This money was budgeted in the 2018 Capital Projects.
Many campgrounds in Alberta offer Wifi and council feels it is important to be competitive as the campground has long-term occupants staying there for work and access to Wifi is imperative for them to conduct their business.
Capital Projects for 2018
Council went through the list of proposed Capital projects, and the projects that have been completed or are planned for upcoming dates are: freon detectors for the arena and curling rink, lighting upgrade and replacing upstairs flooring in the arena, campground Wifi and site development, laptops for council/administration, county fire truck, pergola/sun shades and lockers for the pool, annual bobcat replacement, mower attachment for small tractor, Toro/Kubota mowers replacement, tennis court resurfacing, dust suppression, road rehab for Imperial Ave. from Royal to Queen Street, road rehab for Windsor Ave. from Royal to Queen Street, water main extension-register Hudson easement, bulk water metering system, water main valves and hydrants.
A new pickup truck and gator were proposed, but council decided to defer these for the time being.
Public Hearing relating to Cannabis Retail Sales
There will be a public hearing on May 28 in the council chambers to give the public a chance to hear the details of the proposed land use bylaw 2018-658 regarding cannabis retail sales and give them a chance to express their opinions on the matter.
In addition to the provincial laws of requiring stores to be 100 metres from a school or provincial medical facility, the town of Coronation has added to their bylaw that cannabis retail stores are required to be in a stand-alone building with no shared walls with another business. Also retail stores must be a discretionary use in commercial and industrial districts which ensures that all development permit applications must be brought before council, and retail locations cannot grow or manufacture cannabis on site.
Residents can view a copy of the proposed bylaw at the town office if they wish to see all the details.
Council reports
Coun. Jackie Brigley has had some residents mention that they have noticed drivers speeding on Royal Street and at times not stopping at the stop sign by the swimming pool.
This is a big concern as the area is highly populated with children heading to the park, ball diamonds or on their way to the swimming pool.
Council discussed bringing this to the attention of the local RCMP and other ways to encourage the public to adhere to the rules of the road.
Lisa Bye
ECA Review
