By Erika Chorostil

$150 million infrastructure investment

Drayton Valley to see new aquatic facility thanks to government funding announcement

Aug 25, 2020 | 1:02 PM

A new aquatic facility will finally be built in Drayton Valley.

The Canadian and Alberta governments made a joint infrastructure announcement today in Drayton Valley at the Clean Energy Technology Centre. In attendance was the Minister of Alberta Infrastructure, Prasad Panda, Yellowhead MP, Gerald Soroka, Mayor of Drayton Valley, Michael Doerksen, and Brazeau County Reeve, Bart Guyon. Attending the press conference virtually was the Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna.

Both governments are investing $152 million in funding for 20 infrastructure projects in central Alberta that will help to build stronger communities.

The Federal government is investing over $82.3 million in these projects through the Green Infrastructure Stream, the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream, and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The province of Alberta is contributing more than $69.7 million under Alberta’s Recovery Plan.

The Town of Drayton Valley has received $7,584,956 in grant funding from the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The funding will build a new Net-Zero Aquatic Facility. The 27,000 sq. ft. Aquatic Facility will feature an 8 lane, 25-metre lap pool, leisure pool, lazy river, hot tub, steam room, multi-purpose room, and support spaces as well as a potential water slide.

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The facility will achieve a net-zero energy balance by using heat recovered from the nearby hockey arena. The renewable source of energy means the building will produce zero harmful emissions and will significantly reduce long-term operating costs.

After the funding announcement on Tuesday, Drayton Valley Town Council held a Special Meeting of Council and directed Administration to move forward with the construction of the aquatic facility. The anticipated construction cost is $21,241,319. Drayton Valley Town Council and Brazeau County Council have both committed $5 million each to the project. The Town says community fundraising efforts and donations are helping with the costs and Council is also pursuing additional federal and provincial grants to further offset the capital costs of the project.

Federal Infrastructure Minister, Catherine McKenna, in announcing the funding said she is excited to see the project get underway. “This facility will benefit the entire Drayton Valley community, giving people of all ages a place to have fun, exercise, and develop an important life skill. The heating system, fueled with renewable energy, will contribute to lowering emissions.”

“Alberta’s Recovery Plan focuses on infrastructure as a critical component for promoting economic growth and jobs for Albertans,” said Minister Panda. “This includes supporting important construction projects, like the new aquatic facility in Drayton Valley and the 19 other central Alberta ICIP projects we are supporting, that help keep Albertans working and stimulate local economies at a time when Albertans face unprecedented unemployment.”

Drayton Valley Mayor, Michael Doerksen said the town appreciates the investment from the governments to help make the aquatic facility a reality. “This long-awaited announcement is extremely exciting for our community. Town council has been pursuing the vision of a new aquatic facility since 2012; I am ecstatic to announce that our dedication and planning for this project over the last eight years is finally coming to fruition. I want to acknowledge and commend the Government of Canada for investing in community projects through the ICIP grant initiative. I also want to acknowledge the province’s commitment to rural communities such as Drayton Valley. Without important grant opportunities such as these, the vision of a new pool would continue to be a distant dream. Investing in new facilities is a critical component to any municipality, not only for the well-being and enjoyment for the residents in our region but as an important step in growing the economy by attracting new families and visitors to Drayton Valley.”

In addition to Drayton Valley, Fort Saskatchewan will see the construction of a new waste gas burner facility which will benefit 13 municipalities. In Edmonton, the funding will expand and renovate the Knottwood Community League Centre and build the new Ridge Community League Skating Rink and Community Hall.

The projects are aimed at creating jobs, diversifying Alberta’s economy, and attracting more investment in central Alberta.