Local residents are being asked to provide their input on what project the Town of Bonnyville should go after under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP).
During their April 10 meeting, Town of Bonnyville council discussed their top priorities for the grant. Council members developed a list that included a new multi-use arts centre, swimming pool, outdoor skating rink, skate park, and a dog park.
“If we’re going after a project, we need to make sure that it meets the criteria,” said Mayor Gene Sobolewski.
Agreeing they need public input on the matter, council has now put that list into a survey for residents to rate the projects. An online survey will be available until the end of the month, at which time council will look at the results and decide which project to submit to the program.
“We have to consider where we can use the funds to leverage the most money to get greatest value to any project,” explained Coun. Brian McEvoy.
The ICIP is a federal framework that is providing dollars to assist each province with various needs. Alberta will receive $140-million to put towards community, culture, and recreation projects over the next 10 years.
The eligible projects could include expanded or renewed community centres and hubs, amateur sports, cultural, and recreational installation and facilities. Any municipality in the province is able to submit a project for consideration.
The first intake of applications started April 3 and will last until Aug. 1.
The province is still finalizing some of the ICIP guidelines, however town administration recommended council submit an expression of interest followed by detailed plans, funding models, and possible partnership exploration activities, among others, for the preferred project.
As part of the ICIP agreement, the federal government will cost-share 40 per cent for municipal projects. Should one of their submissions go ahead, the town would be responsible for covering the remainder of the costs.
The survey is available to residents of the town and MD at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PFFYJZZ.
