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M.D. decides to upgrade Seal Lake Road ASAP
Chris Clegg
South Peace News
The M.D. of Big Lakes decided by the narrowest of margins to spend $1.150 million to upgrade the Seal Lake Road to all-weather standards before next winter.
The decision was reached at council’s May 8 budget meeting after a heated debate.
Debate began in earnest when Joussard Councillor Guy L’Heureux reminded councillors they agreed to put no more money into the project unless the provincial government came forward. A recent announcement the provincial government decided to not pay for the road under the resource road program angered council.
However, the M.D., Town of High Prairie and Peavine Metis Settlement are confident they can persuade government to reverse the decision.
“I talked to (Lesser Slave Lake MLA) Pearl (Calahasen) about this and she said (Alberta Transportation Minister) Luke (Ouelette) will look after it,” says Reeve Alvin Billings. “That’s all she said. I can’t comment further.”
The Seal Lake Road is seen by almost everyone as a vital factor in the High Prairie region’s economic future.
“It’s a lot of money for a road not into our municipality,” says L’Heureux, who stated several times during the meeting he was not against the road, only the fact industry and government were not stepping forward to help pay.
“Industry hasn’t put one cent in yet,” says Kinuso Councillor Ken Killeen. “And we collect no taxes. I want to make that every clear to everyone.”
Triangle, Gilwood Councillor Ken Matthews disagreed saying many people work in Seal Lake but live in the M.D. Flourishing businesses keep the local economy healthy, he says.
“If we don’t get that access road to Seal Lake,” we’ll lose," says Matthews.
Prairie Echo, Salt Prairie Councillor David Marx agreed with Matthews.
“That Seal Lake Road will be the (economic) driver of the M.D. in the future,” says Marx. “That’s the most important road in the M.D. It has to get done. It’s the single most important road in the M.D. We’d be very remiss if we didn’t build it. Ninety per cent of the people in the M.D. would agree with me.”
“I don’t view this as building a road for an oil company,” adds Sunset House, Gilwood South Councillor Randy Ehman. “I view this as an investment in the community.”
Killeen still wondered where the other partners were and agreed with L’Heureux.
“Everyone is backing out and we’re left holding the bag,” says Killeen. “Tolko was built and is already gone. If we had to pay half I can live with that. I don’t want to pay 100 per cent.”
Grouard Councillor Fern Welch agreed with Killeen and L’Heureux.
“We seem to be putting an awful lot of money into an area not in our M.D.,” says Welch. “I agree; we have to get industry involved.”
Faust Councillor Violet Campiou says other issues need consideration.
“Our hamlets need paving,” she says. We have tourists, we have needs."
“I agree we need other partners here,” adds Welch. “I’m looking for other partners.”
Matthews wasn’t buying the argument.
“Did we look for other partners for the Gilwood Road or the Spruce Point Park Road?” he asked.
However, both L’Herueux and Killeen said those roads were in the M.D., unlike Seal Lake.
Debate continued.
“I’m in favour of putting this road forward,” says Billings.
“If the government doesn’t pay, we don’t pay,” countered L’Heureux.
Ehman motioned to build the road.
“It will benefit our people and we’re here to benefit our people,” says Ehman.
Voting in favour were Billings, Ehman, Marx, Matthews and Enilda Councillor Ray Dupres.
Voting against the motion were Welch, L’Heureux, Killeen and Campiou.
Council budgeted $1.150 million with $380,000 coming from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative Fund, $400,000 from the M.D.’s general transportation reserve and $370,000 from the 2009 surplus.
The M.D. has already spent $500,000 on the road; High Prairie town council $200,000.
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