By Kevin J Sabo
For the Advance
The Friends of Coronation School Playground have submitted a request to County council for funding. The request comes as the group is working on raising around $185,000 for a new playground for the Coronation School after the previous equipment had been removed by Clearview Public Schools.
“The School Board came in and took pretty much everything,” said Coun. Diane Elliot. “I don’t think the principal even knew they were coming.”
This new request comes as a follow up to a request that the group made in the fall, where the county provided a letter of support, but no financial assistance at the time. Had the county provided funding in January the group could have applied for a matching grant.
“It’s important to look after the kids,” said Reeve Stan Schulmeister, as the conversation progressed. Ultimately, in a motion made by Coun. George Glazier, council voted unanimously to donate $5,000 a year in 2019 and 2020 to both the Friends of Coronation School, and to the Castor school for upgrading and or replacing playground equipment, for a total commitment of $20,000 over the next two years.
The commitment to the school playgrounds was not the only spending the council agreed to during the Mar 12 meeting. As part of the county policy of keeping equipment low kilometer and in good shape, council has moved to purchase a new 2019 1500 series Dodge RAM, and two ¾ ton Dodge RAMs for a cost of around $145,000. A 2007, a 2008, and a 2009 pickup currently in use by the county would be sold at auction later this year. The vehicles would be paid for through restricted surplus, with the 1500 series truck being purchased through Hanna Chrysler, and the ¾ tons through Drumheller Chrysler.
Finally, during the upcoming road construction season council has agreed to test a new type of road seal on the Coronation cemetery road. The seal, which is cheaper than traditional chip seal, could extend road life by 5 to 10 years. Total cost for the three-kilometer test strip would be around $33,000, or about $11,000 a kilometer.
“It’s something new,” said Director of Public Works Bryce Cooke. “We haven’t tried this yet. It’s a good spot to try it out.”
Also, as part of road maintenance administration has recommended to council that a three-year line painting program be established for the paved roads in the county. To pave all the pavement in the 2019 road construction season would cost the county just over $30,500 to pave all 46 km of county roads. With that as a starting point, has decided to go ahead with the three-year pavement marking plan to keep the roads as well marked and safe as possible for all users.