LAC LA BICHE – Before county council decides what to paint on the old water tower in Lac la Biche, administration will have a stability study done to confirm the tower is safe to leave standing.
The water tower has been out of service for more than a decade, but a September 2024 survey of the community saw a strong preference from residents to keep and repaint the water tower instead of demolishing it.
“I do want to make sure that as we’re going through this process, we’re also keeping the public aware of where we’re at,” said Ward 7 Coun. Lorin Tkachuk, noting there had been a robust response to the survey in the fall and he received several questions about the tower over the holidays.
According to documents prepared for council, the tender for the stability assessment would include ultrasonic testing of the tower, an integrity assessment of the foundation, and an assessment and lead test of the coating of the tower. The work is expected to be done by April 25.
The stability assessment is expected to cost $100,000. Costs are included in the 2025 budget.
Tkachuk suggested the tower might be well suited to a changing projection instead of a mural.
“I think that original white base coat that was there with Lac la Biche lends itself to maybe some projection options. I know they do that onto buildings a lot in the States, a lot in cities as well,” he said.
Mayor Paul Reutov agreed keeping it simple was likely the best course of action.
“Then you're unlimited to what you can do with it, rather than putting a mural and if it rusts or any little defect, now you got a mural that's really an eyesore,” said Reutov.
Deputy Mayor Jason Stedman also expressed support for something simple but noted “we have to see what the public’s appetite is and what council’s appetite is, but the first step is to see if it will stand.”
A motion to proceed with the structural stability assessment of the county water tower carried.