Blackfalds Mayor Richard Poole. (rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Year In Review

Mayor says Blackfalds ‘Open for business’ in 2020

Dec 29, 2019 | 8:00 AM

As 2019 draws to a close, the mayor of Blackfalds says there are a number of accomplishments he and town council are very proud of over the past year.

Richard Poole highlights hosting a portion of the 2019 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay, and implementing a 40 km/hr speed limit throughout town.

“That speed limit is actually something that we’re seeing in more and more communities across Canada as they recognize the need for safer speed limits for traffic within their community,” says Poole.

“We also have purchased a new Operations Centre for our Community Services staff, combined with our outdoor Public Works staff. This will create a space that is safer, and will allow for greater cooperation between the two staffs.”

Poole says current facilities for those Town employees have become insufficient.

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“Existing facilities were built for a population of 1,000 to 3,000 and, of course, at 10,000 we needed to move forward.”

Other 2019 highlights, according to Poole, include the unveiling of Tutty Pond Park in June to honour long-time resident and former mayor Wayne Tutty and his family, and a commitment to health care and education in the community.

“We’re really pleased and excited to note that the provincial government has included a high school in their long-range budget,” says Poole, “and we’re looking forward to working with our Wolf Creek School Board partners to make that the best facility it can be.”

Elsewhere, Poole anticipates significant progress next year on the major expansion of the Multi-plex, including a second indoor ice rink, which will be home to an AJHL franchise starting in 2021, and a new library.

“Both of those projects are really exciting and we’re looking forward to starting construction in 2020, moving forward and having them complete by 2021.”

On the budget front, Poole admits Blackfalds and other communities are dealing with challenging times.

“We are facing challenges with the decrease in funding that the Alberta government is providing for us,” notes Poole. “We are really well-positioned in the fact that we weren’t depending on a lot of that funding for our projects as we move forward. So we’re well-positioned to continue to be successful.”

Poole says the Blackfalds Crossing commercial development is a great example of good things to come for the community.

“We have two ‘name’ stores that are building within that site, and they are going to be the showcase for the whole site,” says Poole. “It will also encourage and provide impetus for the rest of the community and the increasing commercial opportunities that are available within our community. There’s lots of opportunity out there for other clothing stores, children’s services, and that type of thing to move into our community.”

Poole describes Blackfalds as a young community and very much “open for business.”

“We are encouraging everyone to come out to our community and have a look around,” he exclaims. “We have excellent lot prices, we have houses on the market, we are ready for people to come out and see that we are the greatest community in Alberta.”

Poole says a new Municipal Sustainability Plan (MSP) will guide future development in Blackfalds.

“It will make sure we are aligning our goals to continue making our town more accessible,” he points out. “One of our major projects is also going to be the realignment of our entrance into the town through Gregg Street and Womacks (Road) and moving of the CPR crossing so that we will have a very safe crossing at the CPR area. That’s going to align with our new arena and it’s going to align with the plaza that we’re going to be building out in front of the arena that will provide more space for different community functions.”

With the New Year approaching, Poole hopes residents continue engaging in the community’s future in a positive manner.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to serve the folks in our town, and to provide the best facilities, the best opportunities, the best festivals, and the best place in Alberta for everybody to live in.”