Council puts brakes on park and ride decision

A divided Turner Valley Town council delayed its decision on whether or not to spend grant money on a park-and-ride facility and eight bus stops until its strategic plan is complete. Administration sought council’s approval at its regular council meeting on July 16 for a park and ride facility in the existing Dr. Lander Memorial Outdoor Swimming Pool parking lot using the Province’s Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP) funding, which it received approval for in 2016. The funding provides $346,000 and requires the Town to spend $104,000. “We are putting the cart before the horse,” said Coun. Cindy Holladay. “To go ahead with a major project without having done our strategic planning (scheduled for Sept. 6) is ridiculous. We can wait until our strategic plan and bring it back. Construction can happen next spring.” Some councillors questioned the need for a park-and-ride facility after the Calgary Regional Partnership cancelled its On-It transit system in the Foothills last spring. Although the service was taken over by Southland Transportation shortly after, it too ceased operations in Black Diamond and Turner Valley in the spring due to a lack of ridership. In addition, Greyhound recently announced it will discontinue service in western Canada effective Oct. 31. “Public transit - On-it, Greyhound, Southland - is gone,” said Mayor Gary Rowntree. “I really have a difficult time realizing the need for a park and ride. As far as washroom facilities go, the library is open most times for that convenience and maybe simple signage directing people to the washrooms might accomplish that need.” Rowntree expressed concerns about maintenance costs for the washrooms. “We are a town of 5,000 people,” he said. “Operating costs would fall on the backs of our ratepayers.” Gerry Melenka, planning and development co-ordinator, said the public washroom would provide a service to the public when the pool and library are closed. “We don’t really have a public washroom seven days a week,” he said. “It’s the ability to have a public washroom for people using the soccer field, baseball diamond and various event.” Melenka added maintenance costs could be kept low by having summer pool staff and the Town’s custodian maintain it. The GreenTRIP funding will provide other benefits to the lot like additional parking, lighting, resurfacing and painted lines, Melenka said. “The current lack of lines is very confusing,” he said. “If council is uncomfortable with the design we can bring that back.” Coun. Jonathan Gordon said he supports the development of the park and ride. “I believe, as we look ahead to economics development and growth for our community, having public transit available is key,” he said. “We would be remiss to say goodbye to $346,000 in grant dollars. Addressing the failure of the design of the parking lot (as is) for the dangers of our kids is paramount. It would be wise for us to make this work within our strategic plan.” Deputy Mayor Barry Crane said he’s sitting on the fence. “We don’t get a lot of opportunities for these kinds of dollars but I would rather not spend money and waste more dollars,” he said. “I totally agree with Coun. Holladay in that the strategic plans needs to align with this particular project.” Crane said he’s not happy with the conceptual design of the parking lot where it tapers at the south entrance for traffic-calming purposes. “It’s hard enough to get in there to park now without shrinking it more,” he said. “I’m still struggling with it. Having more information is probably the answer at this point.” Chief Administrative Officer Todd Sharpe reminded council that it transferred $15,000 from its operating reserves to cover half the cost for a regional transit study in conjunction with the Town of Black Diamond last spring. “It was our understanding, because that was approved, there was a will for council to take a closer look at these things,” he said. Sharpe said the Province allowed the Town to extend its GreenTRIP funding so the cutoff for all eligible expenses for payment by Canada and Alberta is March 31, 2019. “There is a very small window to get the work done,” he said. “We will need time to get around to the detail design, get the contract and get the work done.” Coun. Lana Hamilton said she doesn’t want to see the door close on regional transit in Turner Valley. “As a council we agreed to participate in the regional transit study with Black Diamond,” she said. “I would like to get a little more information on it like where the proposed eight bus stops will be located, is the pool parking lot scheduled to be resurfaced and when.” Administration will bring more information to council’s next regular meeting on Aug. 20.