By Kevin J Sabo For the Advance
Castor’s town council has approved a lease extension for the Castor Trap Club during their Nov. 12 meeting.
The existing lease, which wasn’t set to expire until 2023, has now been extended to 2028. Castor Trap Club came forward earlier this fall requesting the early extension so that they can better plan for the future where it comes to grant applications and supplier contracts.
“It’s good they are doing some long-range planning,” said Coun. Lonny Nelner. “I don’t have a problem with this.”
The Castor Trap Club meets weekly during the late spring, summer and early fall seasons, and hosts two yearly trap-shoot competitions in the summer months. The August 2018 shoot saw over 30 competitors from all over the province descend on the community for the August long weekend.
The council voted unanimously in favour of the extension on a motion made by Nelner. The Castor Trap Club pays the town $250 a year as a nominal fee for the use of the airport adjacent property, and under the terms of the lease agreement, either side can terminate the agreement with one year’s notice.
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Other highlights of the Nov. 13 meeting:
• As the renovations of the arena continue, a donation of up to $20,000 has been made by the Trust of Shane Doan to go towards the renovations. Council was informed of the decision to use the funding on flooring in the arena lobby, and to re-tin the front of the structure.
• Council reviewed a Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Coronation, the County of Paintearth, and the Town of Castor in the creation of a new board known as the Coronation & District Seniors Housing Society. As a result of council concerns and lack of supporting documentation, council chose not to sign the agreement at this time and will review it again when supporting documentation is provided.
• Council has approved Public Works Foreman Arjan Van Hienen to purchase a low-hour three-phase generator to operate the main sewer lift station in the event of a prolonged power outage. Council initially approved the purchase of a new generator, however due to costs it was decided to purchase a used low-hour unit at a significant cost reduction.
• The Town of Castor received it’s Safe sidewalks Canada report indicating significant defects in the town’s sidewalk system. An estimated repair cost of about $208,000 was given to repair all defects. Council accepted the report as information.
• Council reviewed the five-year capital expense plan
• Council reviewed the Provincial 2019 Equalized Assessment Report. The 2019 report showed a decrease in regional value of over $1 million. Adopted as information.
• Castor Fire Rescue reported 230 people through their fifth annual haunted house this year, raising nearly $750 for the food bank in cash donations, and a half pick-up truck box worth of food as well. Sponsors of the event included Westmoreland Coal, Atco, Castor Golf-Club, and the now-defunct Castor Event Committee, and the volunteer firefighters put in an estimated 150 man-hours to set up the event.
• Coun. Trudy Kilner updated council on upcoming events at the Castor Municipal Library. The next event will be a craft day on Dec. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m.