Article content
Whitecourt council approved a $38.7 million operating budget and $12.5 million capital budget for 2021 during its regular meeting last week.
A tax rate bylaw will be presented to council May 10 with residential and non-residential rates expected to rise 1.99 per cent, instead of the 2.32 per cent increase proposed in December.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser. Town $51.2M budget approved: Spending down, Dahl Drive work coming Back to video
Mayor Maryann Chichak said approximately $500,000 was shaved off this year’s budget, but the town will still see increased expenses in insurance, gas and heating, on top of COVID expenses.
Traffic study information from the 47th Street/55th Avenue intersection shows that changes are needed
Last March, a resident approached Whitecourt Town Council about their concerns on an intersection in front of their home. The resident was worried about the speeds travelled on 47th Street in the vicinity of the intersection with 55th Avenue and felt something needed to change to protect drivers and pedestrians. Their concerns triggered a traffic study, and at last Monday’s Policies and Priorities Committee meeting Town Administration brought forward the results.
Michael Harper, Civil Engineering Technologist for the Town of Whitecourt, said that they did digital recordings of both the volume and speed travelled by motorists. “We determined that both were very high, especially along 47th street. We also evaluated the geometry along the intersection and determined that we do have sightline issues, again, especially on 47th street due to on-street parking particularl
Two big facelifts coming this year for the Dahl Drive area.
Construction season is here! The area around Dahl Drive will be the site of continued activity through the spring, summer, and fall months as crews work on updating the water system. And, great news, the roadway will also see updates! On April 13, Whitecourt Town Council approved the final phase of the Water System Upgrades Project. Split up into three steps; the project will see the water system significantly updated.
The first phase is what the public can currently see along Dahl Drive. “This project is going to see a dedicated feed line extend from our pump house, the orange building new Highway 43, up to the hilltop reservoir, which is near the Eastlink ski hill, “explained Juan Grande, Engineering Services Coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt. In an emergency, such as a power outage in the valley, the hilltop area would still have water in the reservoir to help keep uptown residents flowing. “That
Santa’s Winter Walk
A typical holiday in Whitecourt usually means that staff at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre (AJMC) run events, both in the centre and around town, for residents to enjoy as a family. This past Christmas, restrictions kept staff on their toes because each changing regulation meant that an event had to change or be cancelled altogether, leaving them scrambling to come up with a new idea.
Recreation Coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt, Emma Harper said that the ever-changing restrictions helped them look at things differently. “It’s been neat to have to think outside of the box. We get so used to planning the same things and maybe changing them up a little but not to the extent that we have had to do that this year,” she explained. “It’s been difficult at times, but from the silver lining perspective, it’s been a kind of cool experience too.”