BONNYVILLE - Town of Bonnyville administration presented council with a draft of the proposed 2025 Capital Budget that currently has a deficit of $14.8 million and includes plans for a new swimming pool.
The Town of Bonnyville went over the first draft of its 2025 Capital Budget on Oct. 22.
The first draft of the Capital Budget includes all projects that were identified in 2024 as well as the addition of the aquatic facility, and some projects that administration is also recommending,
Administration explained to council that the Town of Bonnyville has applied for a grant to build a new aquatic facility as the current swimming pool is aging, and that the project has been included for the years 2025 and 2026.
Future drafts of the capital budget will be updated to reflect changes as discussions continue to take place.
Options for funding the aquatic facility will be provided for council’s consideration in the future.
Coun. Neil Langridge asked for timeline clarification on the aquatic's facility.
In response, council was provided with information stating the project will be spread over multiple years and the administration is working on a funding plan for council to review at a future meeting. The plan will include other grants that the Town can apply for, possibly fundraising initiatives, debenture funding if needed, as well as the grant that has already been applied for, and maybe some reserve money.
To aid in balancing the Capital Budget, administration has recommended several projects be scaled back or deferred.
Deferring the installation of traffic lights would decrease the deficit by $600,000.
The Northpoint Subdivision Upgrades were to be funded through a debenture, so deferring that project would offer no savings.
A decrease of $80,000 was recommended from the 46 Street shared left hand turn markings.
And a decrease of $100,000 was recommended by putting off the 50th Avenue Functional Planning Study.
A decrease of $1.4 million recommended by deferring the Southeast Sanitary Force main upgrade.
A decrease in $1.5 million was also recommended by putting off the library expansion.
Due to the increasing traffic in Bonnyville, Mayor Elisa Brosseau voiced her concern about deferring the installation of traffic lights.
“I would like to see us go ahead and do something about the installation of the traffic lights. I know the conversation was [on whether] we do the ones on the west side of town or do the ones at the intersection by the police station . . . but I would like to see us be more proactive. It's just getting so busy in town that it’s a project I'd like to see not deferred but we can have more conversation about that,” said Brosseau.
Additional projects that were added to the Capital Budget by administration include a Long-Term Facilities Master Plan, which would be completed annually until all the facilities are included, at a cost of $50,000.
The implementation of the new brand sets an increase of $1 million, with projects currently being identified to complete the Town's rebranding process.
The purchase of a $6,000 72-Inch PTO Driven Rotavator, a $23,500 Grapple Bucket and a $15,000 brush cut mower skid steer attachment were also included.
Purchasing land for a snow dump area and stormwater pond was added to the budget, though the cost is to be determined.
Additional projects with costs yet to be determined include downtown revitalization projects, Jesse Lake Trail repairs, a soccer field parking lot, Jesse Lake Master Plan projects, and Sports Tourism Strategy projects.
Coun. Phil Kushnir reminded administration to include expenses for a vehicle, if an additional Community Peace Officer is to be hired.
Langridge inquired about the soccer field parking lot, as it was the first he has heard of it, and administration explained that it is something they are considering, so it was put in as a placeholder. The matter will be discussed with council in the future.
