(rdnewsNOW/ Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

$2.3 million

Provincial funding announced for Broadway Avenue Reservoir Expansion Project

Jul 15, 2025 | 5:09 PM

Construction is well underway on the Broadway Avenue Reservoir Expansion Project in the Town of Blackfalds.

On Tuesday afternoon, government officials including Blackfalds Mayor Jamie Hoover, Lacombe County Reeve Barb Shepherd, MLA Jennifer Johnson, and Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams were on location to announce additional funding.

The province has appointed approximately $2.3 million for the $7.8 million project through the Government of Alberta’s Local Growth and Sustainability Grant.

The remaining $5.5 million would be split between the Town of Blackfalds and Lacombe County, according to Hoover.

“With costs going up, it’s that much more important for us to get this done and without assistance from our provincial partners, this just wouldn’t be possible with all the other infrastructure municipalities like Blackfalds needs to build,” Hoover said.

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The water reservoir was originally designed to support a population of up to 9,800 and today Blackfalds is home to over 11,400 residents.

Now, crews are installing a large underground water tank, which will double their water capacity. The expansion is important to support future growth and ensure enough water is available for every day use and fire protection, including in Lacombe County’s Aspelund Industrial area.

“This project isn’t just about catching up, it’s about preparing for the future,” Hoover added. “Once completed this upgrade will support a future population of up to 20,000 people. It will also ensure capacity for major industrial development including the dairy innovation west plant and an estimated 70 per cent of the water demand of our joint economic area.”

Construction began earlier this spring and is expected to be completed by the end of the summer in 2026.

Hoover thanked Lacombe County for bringing the water and sewer limitations to the attention of the town and explained their collaboration has made it all possible. In addition, he thanked the provincial government for their investment.

“This funding demonstrated the province’s commitment to securing reliable water infrastructure, especially in a time when drought and water scarcity are becoming increasingly urgent concerns around the province,” Hoover said.

Lacombe County Reeve Barb Shepherd seconded Hoover’s comments about collaboration but added the project originated from discussion held back in 2022 when they identified the need to improve water and sewer capacity.

“By expanding this reservoir we’re not only increasing water capacity for the town but ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support growth in the county,” she said.

Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams said the province has seen substantial growth and Blackfalds has been one of the community’s in the centre of it.

“We’ve seen people want to come here from across Alberta and Canada because they know they’ll be in an affordable, safe community that are beautiful and liveable. Somewhere they can get a job but also start a family,” Williams said.

“For that to continue, we have an obligation to be able to put our money where our mouth is. We have to continue supporting communities like this one and $2.3 million for this project was an important ask that the town and the county had together. We thought it definitely met the threshold for one of those fast growing communities we needed to fund.”