Bow Island Town Council May 25 meeting highlights

Posted on June 4, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

On May 25, the Town of Bow Island Council met to review several key local projects. From waste management funding to critical infrastructure repairs, here is a breakdown of what you need to know from the latest session.

Waste Commission Loan Guarantee

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 2026:07. This bylaw would guarantee up to $465,000 toward the North Forty Regional Waste Management Services Commission’s borrowing for a new solid waste collection cell.

The total project will cost about $1.7 million. The commission plans to contribute $770,000, leaving $930,000 to borrow from the Province of Alberta for up to 15 years. To make this happen, the Town and the County of Forty Mile No. 8 will guarantee repayment of $465,000. This was a first reading, meaning further discussion and readings will follow.

Lift Station 1 Repairs

Council discussed a capital budget amendment to repair the automatic transfer switch at Lift Station 1. During a regular generator test in January, the switch failed. This lift station is critical infrastructure because it pumps all town wastewater to the treatment facility.

Currently, Town staff must operate the system manually. A local contractor provided a repair quote of $28,175. This price includes running the station on rental backup generators for two to three days during the repair. Council proposes using the Canada Community Building Fund to cover this expense.

Improved Street Lighting

Following recommendations from the Safe Streets Committee, Council reviewed a plan to add 12 new streetlights around town. The committee found several dark areas that need better lighting to improve community safety, visibility, and security.

Putting new light poles in the alleys behind homes requires expensive underground cable work. Instead, the Town considers mounting the new lights on existing power poles, keeping the project cost-effective. Fortis provided a quote of $23,762.48 to install the 12 lights. This strategy estimates an annual power cost of $4,320, which could be funded through the standard operating budget.

Parkview Lane Parking and Access

Council discussed a proposal to improve parking and access along Parkview Lane. The plan converts a portion of Lot 21 MR into a laneway and uses Lot 41 MR as a public parking area.

This change will give the local rowhouses rear access while adding roughly eight to 10 new public parking spaces to help clear up street congestion. The developer would cover all survey and land title registration costs. The Town would handle grading the laneway and spreading gravel. The Town’s share of the work fits securely within the existing capital budget for Parkview Lane road construction.

Stay in the Know

Visit the Town of Bow Island website to learn more about these, and other agenda items from the May 25 meeting.