Ken Matthews,
Reeve,
Big Lakes County

As we move into the New Year, the county is excited to wrap up a few projects including the new Kinuso pumphouse. Alberco Construction and M2 Engineering are planning to finish the project this spring. Once the facility is completed, it will be able to store more water, which will allow the county to service Spruce Point Park and more rural areas.

Since council’s approval of the new Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw, we have been working alongside Invistec Consulting to review and update the Faust, Joussard, and Grouard Area Structure Plans. This past fall, we hosted workshops in these hamlets in order to provide residents with some background information on the project and to discuss the past, present, and future of the hamlets.

Last month, we hosted three open houses in the hamlets with the purpose of reviewing the proposed Vision Statement, Land Use Concept, and highlights of the plan. Thank you to our hamlet residents for taking the time to complete the surveys and for attending our workshop and open house.

Big Lakes County is excited to announce we are hosting the 5th Annual Big Lakes Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 at the High Prairie & District Golf Course. The funds raised this year will go toward the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the High Prairie Health Foundation, and any other charities council may approve.

The Triangle water project continues to be one of council’s top priorities. Administration is actively working on a policy that will guide us in what to charge residents when expanding our rural water connections [formally the water co-op]. The first draft will be presented to council on Feb. 14.

Last month, council members and members of the Big Lakes County Agricultural Advisory Committee attended the Agricultural Service Board Provincial Conference in Grande Prairie. The guest speakers spoke on carbon emissions and the effects it will have on the economy, hemp production, and the importance of agriculture in the country.

Coming up in February, the county has partnered with Alberta Tourism Business Development to host a Tourism Entrepreneurship Start-up Seminar. This one-day free seminar is taking place Feb. 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Provincial Building Board Room B at 5226-53rd Ave., High Prairie.

Furthermore, there is a Land Use Bylaw Amendment 23-2017 public hearing scheduled for Feb. 14, at 1:30 p.m. in the Big Lakes County Council Chambers. Council will decide on additional regulations and restrictions on sea cans.

Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. If you would like to address council during one of our meetings, you can do so by completing the application to appear as a delegation. The council minutes, agendas, delegation forms, and county news can be found on our Big Lakes County Website or by contacting the county administrative office at [780] 523-5955.