Cypress County to contribute $50K to Elkwater projects

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

Cypress County council voted in favour of contributing $50,000 for each of the next four years to Elkwater townsite and the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park for capital projects at their Feb. 1 meeting.

Funding request have come from Alberta Environment and Parks.

“We’re very fortunate that our citizens are subsidized from linear assessment and this would be a contribution in good faith to AEP (Alberta Environment and Parks),” said Tarolyn Aaserud, Cypress County chief administrative officer.

Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit moved the motion and said this is a small step in creating more leverage down the road with regards to more of a relationship with Parks moving forward.

“The Cypress Hills is a gem—it’s in our backyard—and I don’t think this is a huge commitment, but I think that there’s a lot we can do together and hopefully this is just the first step,” said Kurpjuweit.

The funds would go to projects in 2022 towards the re-paving sections of Elkwater Townsite roads and Elkwater laneway upgrades, of which will go until 2024.

Townsite roads would include 100-metre sections of the east end of Seventh Avenue from Sixth Avenue to the top of the hill, sections from Third Street to the Sixth Avenue and to the top of the hill, Center Street from Sixth Avenue to the top of the hill and a section of Lakeview Drive.

The preliminary cost is $10,000 per patch.

Laneway costs are unknown at this time.

“I think cabin owners will be happy to know that the county is putting in $50 grand for the next four years, every year, and it’s up to the Park to get the work done,” said Coun. Lloyd Want, who represents Elkwater on council.

The contribution in 2023 would go to upgrading of the water treatment plant—at a preliminary cost of $500,000—Elkwater Townsite cold mix roadways at a premilimiary  cost of $50,000 and Murray Hill Road/golf course road upgrades—which costs are undetermined for.

“At this time, Cypress County has not done any investigation on cost or evaluation and establishment of scope of work,” as read in the agenda package.

“Work in the park requires extensive contribution on behalf of administration to adhere to park requirements.”

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