|
Area towns get behind police college |
|
|
|
Written by Ric Swihart
|
|
Thursday, 26 November 2009 |
Southern Alberta rallied behind the Town of Fort Macleod Wednesday at the Alberta legislature in the latest attempt to get design and construction of a new police college into its capital works schedule.
Shawn Patience, Fort Macleod mayor, said he was touched when representatives from 10 surrounding communities assembled on short notice for the town’s visit with Finance Minister Iris Evans to try to spring loose provincial funding, or at least assured commitment to that funding.
Besides Patience the rally team included Fort Macleod town councillors Sharon Monical, Christine Trowbridge, Brian Reach and Gord Wolstenholme, town chief administrative officer Barry Elliott and Economic Development Officer Martin Ebel. Others included area mayors Rob Steele of Claresholm, John Irwin of the Crowsnest Pass, Gary Mills of Pincher Creek, Dennis Cassie of Coalhurst, Barry Johnson of Stavely, and Melva Stinson of Granum. Lethbridge College President Tracy Edwards, Larry Lux of Lethbridge Economic Development, Jordan No Chief of the Piikani Nation at Brocket and Henry Van Hierden, reeve of the Municipal District of Willow Creek also attended.
It is 3 1/2 years since Fort Macleod won the bidding for the police college, but postponements have delayed any firm commitments from the province. In that time, the town has donated 320 acres of land on its southeast boundary and committed to build the services infrastructure to the site to prepare for construction in addition to considerable expenditures to that end.
Patience said he explained that the project, some estimate to cost $200 million, must at least be in a provincial budget for 2010 or 2011. Provincial money would not be required until full approval is achieved.
Patience said the concept of a provincial bond issue was floated with Evans as a feasible way to secure the money in tight economic times. It would also mean all Albertans would share in the cost of an institution that would produce graduates that would benefit all citizens.
He pointed to a $1-billion bond issue reached this fall by the province in 30 minutes to use for projects government feels fit. And Premier Ed Stelmach referred to another bond issue in one of his latest addresses.
Patience, who praised the continued support for the police college in Fort Macleod by “championing” Solicitor General Fred Lindsay, was careful not to try to tell the province how the college project should be funded. He called some of the options discussed “plausible methods.”
Patience said he still is confident the college will be built “sooner than later,” and council’s efforts the last couple of days should go a long way to getting the project on the province’s capital construction list that can lead into the construction phase.
The support of southern Alberta communities is also important, a recognition of the spin-off benefits southern Alberta will feel from the construction and operation and maintenance of the college, he said.
Patience also reminded Evans it has already been 3 1/2 years since the college was announced for Fort Macleod and it will likely be up to 30 months in design and construction before the doors will open on the facility.
Evans discussed some options for government, a positive sign for Patience. “She said government is looking at various ways to fund the project.”
Evan Berger of Nanton said the parties “had a very good meeting.”
Police college supporters were urged to continue to “hammer” on government and to come back with more ideas for ways to bring the project to life.
|
