Council, at its regular meeting Jan. 14, gave first reading to a bylaw to approve a letter of a letter of support to the Rimbey Municipal Library guaranteeing a repayable grant of up to $180,000. The letter will allow the library to qualify for the matching federal grant funding.
It is the intent of the Rimbey Municipal Library Board to raise an equivalent amount of funds and repay the town within 24 months of the completion of the project.
Community centre boilers replaced
Recreation director Rick Kreklewich reported the Rimbey Community Centre boiler has been replaced with three smaller energy efficient boilers purchased from Bentley Plumbing. The boilers provide heat to the nursery school room, art room, recreation office and other areas where radiant heat is supplied.
Sports field considered
Kreklewich reported he and Derry Armstrong met with the high school to discuss developing a track and sports field north of the community centre. Options including walking trails in the development were discussed. The next step is to develop an engineered plan for the project.
Grant awarded to victim services
Council agreed to provide $500 to the Rimbey & District Victim Services Unit as part of the Community Events Grant Program to host a Big Band Valentine Gala on Feb. 9.
No support for boundary changes
Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins attended the Jan. 14 meeting. Discussion centred on possible electoral boundary changes. Calkins assured council there would be no changes until the next federal election.
“The riding of Wetaskiwin will continue until the next election,” he said. “I’ve yet to find anyone in this constituency who is in agreement (with the proposed changes), he added.
Interim budget adopted
Council adopted their 2013 operating budget as an interim budget until the new budget is finalized. Budget deliberations are to begin on Feb. 1.
Support for BMX park
Council complied with a recommendation by Rick Kreklewich to commit the remaining $85,000 in funding for the BMX park project should the matching Canadian Infrastructure Improvement Fund grant be accepted.