Creating Jobs
Building Communities
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Profiles of projects in Alberta
- Boyle
- Calgary
- Innisfail
- Okotoks
- Penhold
- Red Deer
- Rocky View
- Sedgewick
- Spirit River
- Three Hills
- Wainwright
- Westlock County
Community Centre Upgrades
Project location: Boyle, Alberta
In Boyle, the District Community Centre is an older building that includes a hall seating about 500 people, as well as the local playschool and public library. However, the building used to have access, safety and energy-efficiency issues.
To resolve local concerns about the structure, the Village of Boyle was granted $238,046 from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund to help repair and upgrade the roof, flooring, doors, sidewalk and exterior siding.
Wheelchair-accessible entrances and washrooms were installed along with a new energy-efficient electrical system and water-conserving devices in the washrooms. Lighting is now more energy efficient as is the hall's hot-water supply. Ventilation has been improved and insulation added.
Like many small towns, life in Boyle frequently revolves around the community centre. Mayor Bob Clark is relieved to see the "heart" of his community extend its life expectancy by another 20 or 30 years. The renovations will "help our Village be sustainable in the long term. We could not have done this project without the help of the federal government."
Federal contribution: $238,046
Building National Pride
Recognizing Excellence in Sports
Project location: Calgary, Alberta
With $15 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, construction has begun on Canada's new Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Calgary.
The 3,716 m2 facility in Canada Olympic Park, which already hosts more than a million visitors a year, is expected to become a major, world-class tourist attraction in its own right. Exhibits will honour Canadian athletes and builders, highlighting outstanding Canadian sports achievements. Visitors will be able to interact with their heroes through advanced technologies. The facility will also include an education and resource centre, aimed at promoting sports activities and the Canadian sports legacy.
Calgary Deputy Mayor Linda Fox-Mellway believes the new facility will "inspire others in achieving their goals and dreams." She also hopes the venue will allow all Canadians to "build upon our strong sport legacy as a community and a country."
In addition to tourism generated by the Hall after opening — scheduled for 2011— the building phase is expected to generate hundreds of jobs and have a significant economic impact in Calgary.
Federal contribution: $15,000,000
Deerfoot Trail
Project location: Calgary, Alberta
The interchange structure at Highway 2 and 196 Avenue, over Deerfoot Trail in Calgary, is being twinned with funding from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and the Province of Alberta.
This project will widen the existing overpass structure to four lanes. The interchange serves the neighbouring communities of Seton and Cranston in Calgary by providing access to Deerfoot Trail.
The Trail is the major north/south transportation route through the City of Calgary and part of the Alberta's North/South Trade Corridor. The project will also provide an important access route to the new South Calgary Hospital.
Federal contribution : $2,277,000
Telus World of Science
Project location: Calgary, Alberta
The new Telus World of Science will replace the Calgary Science Centre and Creative Kids Museum which is functioning beyond capacity. This new science centre will provide access to quality exhibits to more visitors in the region.
Preparation of the site flood plain is underway. Clean soil has been dumped into the site in order to increase the land level since the project is located beside a creek. The site will be raised by two meters in total.
The Centre aims to inspire youth to participate in science as well as think about careers in science. It will also provide more scientific resources that can provide support to the community in a variety of ways.
"Our commitment is to reach beyond our boundaries to fuel innovation, inspire creativity, and to provide unique and accessible ways to engage in the world of science, technology and the arts
," says Jennifer Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Telus World of Science.
Federal contribution : $40,000,000
Innisfail Library
Project location: Innisfail, Alberta
The Town of Innisfail is home to over 7,800 residents, along the major north/south QE II corridor, between Calgary and Edmonton. The Innisfail Library is a regional facility that serves approximately 10,000 residents in the Town of Innisfail and the surrounding Red Deer County.
This project involves relocating and expanding the library to address space constraints, accessibility problems and security issues. The existing library, located in the middle of the town's business area, lacks the capacity to accommodate key programs, support technological innovations, or provide easy access for all users.
Thanks to contributions from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, a new larger library is being constructed in a developing area of the town that will improve accessibility and allow for the development of external green space areas. The expanded facility will also make room for increased technology components, children's programming, guest speakers and a dedicated space for teen services.
Once completed, the new energy efficient library will provide the area with a crucial gathering space and resource centre.
Federal contribution : $2,906,173
Improving Safety, Creating Jobs
Meeting Future Transportation Needs
Project location: Okotoks, Alberta
The Town of Okotoks is one of the fastest growing communities in Alberta. Located 20 kilometres south of Calgary, Okotoks wraps itself around the curving Sheep River. As new development spreads out away from the town's core, safety concerns about the response times of emergency services in getting to some of the newer neighbourhoods and industrial parks via the one bridge across the river have become an issue. So has the burgeoning traffic.
With $11 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, work has begun on realigning a major road artery that serves newer developments on the south side of town. The realigned 32nd Avenue will now cross the Sheep River on its own two-lane roadway. The work is expected to take about 18 months.
The nearby CPR rail bridge is also being upgraded as is a grade-separated crossing on the 32nd Street alignment over the river, and tree clearing has begun along the banks of the Sheep River as crews prepare to clean up the river channel near the construction site.
Mayor Bill McAlpine calls the project "exciting and rewarding" as the town prepares for the future. "The 32nd Street Bridge is a testament to what can be achieved through all levels of government coming together for a common goal of economic and community sustainability."
Federal contribution: $11,000,000
New Library a Boost to Community
Project location: Penhold, Alberta
Another piece of a municipal dream has taken shape in Penhold, with the addition of a library to the town's recently built community multiplex. Penhold was granted $1.6 million from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund for the project.
The new district library adds a cultural and educational complement to the recreational focus of the other facilities in the complex: a regulation-size rink, seating, dressing rooms, walking track and multi-function room. Programs and services for seniors have been improved at the new library and better access provided for residents with disabilities.
An estimated 25,000 users a year are expected to benefit from multiplex facilities.
Federal contribution: $1,600,000
Hwy 11A Interchange Upgrade (Diamond Conversion)
Project location: Red Deer, Alberta
Traffic safety and circulation in Red Deer County will be improving once a new interchange is completed where the Deerfoot Trail meets Highway 11A. The project, which is cost-shared between the Alberta and federal governments, is receiving $19.6 million in Infrastructure Stimulus funds.
The interchange is being converted from a traditional cloverleaf layout to a diamond configuration. As traffic volumes grew over the decades, the cloverleaf configuration created safety concerns and delays along Highway 2.
Highway 2 is a major transportation route through Red Deer County and serves as major north/south trade corridor in Alberta. Construction is expected to be completed during the summer of 2010 for the benefit of residents, business and tourists alike.
Federal contribution: $9,803,000
Resolving Water Quality Issues
Ensuring Community Safety
Project location: Rocky View, Alberta
With a $1,370,035 contribution from the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, construction is now underway on a new potable water treatment facility and bulk-water distribution system for the Municipal District of Rocky View, Alberta.
Located in the foothills about 44 kilometres west of Calgary, residents in the Bragg Creek area of the Municipal District coped for years with boil-water orders and drinking water that had to be trucked in from Calgary. With no form of water treatment in the community, shallow wells drawing water from the nearby Elbow River were always at risk.
Now, federal funds are helping to build a new potable water treatment plant, which will provide existing residents with safe drinking water available in bulk locally at lower cost. The facility will incorporate a raw water intake system, pumping station and transmission line. The new treatment plant will include enhanced filtration and disinfection, with continuous water quality monitoring.
Bulk water storage at the new plant will also better support fire emergency response requirements.
Federal contribution: $1,370,035
Protecting Sedgewick's drinking water
Sedgewick Sanitary Sewer Priorities
Project location: Sedgewick, Alberta
Like many communities in Canada, Sedgewick, Alberta, needed help replacing its sanitary sewer system.
This system had been causing the community serious concern, because it was leaking and threatening to contaminate the water table that is a source for the community's drinking water.
The work involved replacing eight blocks of sewer main, including service lines to the curb and the street-level asphalt.
"Like many of the small municipalities across Canada, our infrastructure investment needs are greater than we could ever provide for on our own," said Mayor Helen Whitten. "The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund commitment is helping to ensure that Sedgewick remains a vibrant, growing, safe community."
The project is one of 156 Alberta infrastructure projects receiving support through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
Federal contribution: $956,610
Elevator and Cargill Roads
Project location: Spirit River, Alberta
The Town of Spirit River is in northwestern Alberta, where its local economy is supported by agriculture and oil and gas industry. With a population of approximately 1,100 residents, it is a major trading area for the large rural population estimated at 10,000.
Elevator and Cargill roads in this community are important access routes that contribute to the Central Peace Region's economic development. The routes carry an average of 1,020 truck loads a year, supporting upwards of $120 million/year in regional revenues.
Both roads were enhanced and repaved in 2009, thanks to federal infrastructure stimulus funds together with provincial and municipal contributions in this $10 million project.
This overlay project has helped sustain jobs in the area, while also increasing road safety for truckers and their equipment. It has also improved access to the industrial and agricultural network, which will in turn support both current and future economic activity and growth.
Federal contribution: $336,761
Keeping Three Hills Safe as it Grows
New Fire Hall
Project location: Three Hills, Alberta
Three Hills has outgrown its 70-year-old fire hall. Founded in 1906, the town of 3,300 has seen significant residential and commercial growth in recent years. It is located about 130 km northeast of Calgary.
The fire department's 20 volunteer firefighters have been servicing the growing community from a cramped, older building that made their job more difficult.
They and their equipment—two pumps, a tanker, and a rescue-and-command unit—service the town and surrounding area, responding to some 100 calls a year.
To meet the community's growing needs, the department will move to a new fire hall and training facility. Funds for the hall include $650,000 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
Mayor Kevin Edwards says the project " …gives the fire department members a proper home that will better equip them to serve and protect the people of Three Hills and the surrounding rural county."
The new, energy-efficient fire hall will house the department's equipment under one roof. The hall will also serve as a training centre while enhancing fire protection for residents and visitors.
Federal contribution: $650,000
More Convenient Water Monitoring
Project location: Wainwright, Alberta
Routine maintenance for a water distribution system includes periodically flushing the lines to eliminate any contaminants or sediments in the system. For the Municipal District of Wainwright in east-central Alberta, a maintenance routine that should be easily done involved getting residents to turn on their taps and gaining access to home basements to take water samples for testing. Water was wasted and monitoring water quality difficult and time consuming.
The Municipal District of Wainwright installed above-ground shut-off valves along main distribution lines. Utility crews can now flush the lines easily and change the flow direction of water in the system as required. They can also get water samples for testing without disturbing residents. The new valves are also self-draining to reduce freeze risks in winter.
It didn't take a lot of money to rectify the situation: $18,256 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, matched provincially and municipally.
Federal contribution: $18,256
Improved Safety and Functionality
Project location: Westlock County, Alberta
Upgrading older, narrower highways to improve safety and functionality is an infrastructure priority in Alberta. One such road, a narrow, unpaved portion of Highway 801 in Westlock County north of Edmonton no longer met safety standards.
Alberta Transportation widened and paved 13 kilometres of Highway 801 with an investment of up to $2,067,606 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and a matching provincial allotment.
Abid Malik, Senior Manager of Capital Planning for Alberta Transportation, points to the highway standards the road now meets and the much improved public safety of motorists using the highway.
The new waterproof road surface and widened lanes of traffic greatly enhance the ride quality and reduce the risk of accidents. Dust kicked up by passing vehicles has also been eliminated further reducing the accident risk and improving the quality of air along the roadway.
Federal contribution: $2,067,606