The organizational meeting of the Rimoka Housing Authority held Nov. 6 saw Paul McLauchlin reinstated as chairman and mayor Rick Pankiw and town councillor Mathew Jaycox as town of Rimbey representatives on the board.
Bryce Liddle from Ponoka County Div. 1 is Rimoka’s deputy chair. Representing the town of Ponoka is Mayor Rick Bonnett and town councillor Tim Falkiner. Dave MacPherson represents the Ponoka Legion. Sharon Mickla is the director of client services and Denis Beesley is the president of Bethany Group.
McLauchlin said he is pleased with the “energetic and enthusiastic” board.
He noted the board discussed the aging in place facility proposed for Rimbey, adding he is encouraged by a conversation he had with Tim Morrison, Chief of Staff for Municipal Affairs Minister, Doug Griffiths.
“Municipal affairs is looking at 100 per cent of the funding,” he said. “That is a huge win for the town of Rimbey.”
McLauchlin said the Rimbey housing project is a priority for municipal affairs who is ready to refocus after dealing with the flooding in southern Alberta.
Earlier Denis Beesley said a revised proposal suggests renovating a portion of the existing facility for seniors’ use as well as building a new facility to accommodate those in need of an aging in place facility.
McLauchlin said the existing lodge is owned by the province.
He said negotiations are still ongoing regarding Ponoka County’s purchase of 8.5 acres of land in Johnson’s Estates located northwest of the Rimbey Community Centre. The cost of installing the water and sewer lines from the nearest main to the property is to be cost shared by Rimoka Housing, the town and the county.