Stettler town council awarded an infrastructure project tender worth over half a million dollars at their Aug. 6 regular meeting.
The 2024 capital budget included a carry forward project from 2023 to rehabilitate the existing water reservoir pump house with new pumps, valves and back up power. The total project budget was expected to cost $800,000.
It was also noted that an inserta valve was required outside of the pumphouse building. Due to different construction methods required to replace the valve, the work was not included in the Request For Proposal (RFP) for the pumphouse upgrades. Administration estimated install cost of $25,000.
Melissa Robbins, director of operational services, reported that the expected delivery for the backup generator would be seven to eight months. Robbins noted that a concrete pad would be poured in the fall with work set to begin in early spring to ensure the reservoir system remained operational during both the fire season and peak watering season.
A RFP was advertised on the Alberta Purchasing Connection and received two offers.
Council passed a motion to award the water reservoir upgrade project to Timcon Construction (1988) Ltd. in the amount of $551,627.58 with a contingency of $55,200, utilizing Tagish Engineering for engineering services of $102,374.15, with $25,000 for the inserta valve for a total project expenditure of $734,201.73, excluding GST and funded through the 2024 capital budget.
Glass replacement
The council also addressed the replacement of a broken glass pane in one of the second-floor meeting rooms at the Stettler Recreation Centre (SRC). On March 29, a pane overlooking the blue arena shattered, sending fragments into the east side standing area. The glass was found to be 5 mm regular glass, and it was recommended that all glass along the east side be replaced with laminated safety glass.
In previous discussions with the Imperials, one enhancement involved the ability to open windows in the meeting rooms, which serve as “skyboxes” during games, to allow more sound from the arena to enter the rooms.
The Town of Stettler moved to replace all 17 panes with laminated safety glass at an estimated cost of $8,650. The Imperials agreed to cover the additional cost to replace 10 of the panes with new slider windows that could open 10 to 12 inches at the top,
A request for quotes resulted in council awarding the contract to CR Glass for $17,865, with a $2,000 contingency. The Town of Stettler will cover $8,650 of the cost, with the Stettler Imperials responsible for the remaining $9,215. Any contingency costs will be funded from the 2024 capital budget through the Community Partnership Reserve.
Parks
The 2024 capital budget includes $30,000 for developing a new parks and open spaces master plan, replacing the 2006 version. Following a request for proposal, the council received one bid and awarded the project to McElhanney for $35,578.80, with funding from the 2024 capital budget covering the difference.
Bench Fair
The Stettler and District Ag Society requested prizes in the form of Heart of Alberta dollars from council for three competitive categories with a suggested amount of $50. The bench fair would be held during the Open Farm Days in August.
“I like the three $50 Heart of Alberta dollars as that is something everyone can use,” stated Coun. Cheryl Barros.
Concern was raised by Coun. Wayne Smith and Coun. Travis Randell that council has typically not approved requests like this in the past and it may open the door for everyone to ask.
“I just think of this as bringing the community together,” expressed Coun. Barros. Coun. Scott Pfeiffer agreed and said, “It’s a holistic thing, it’s not just the town, it’s the town and the county.”
Council approved the expenditure of three $50 Heart of Alberta Dollar prizes, with funds coming from the 2024 operating budget.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA reporter
