The Town of Black Diamond hopes to get a head start on getting its residents walking on more pathways.
Although no details have been ironed out, Black Diamond Town council is pushing ahead on expanding its walking trail system after deciding at its June 3 meeting to submit an application to add to its pathways through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.
The federal legacy grant is in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017 under the Department of Western Diversification and covers 50 per cent of the cost for approved capital projects that rehabilitate or improve culture for long-term growth and vibrancy.
“The application deadline is June 17,” Black Diamond Mayor Sharlene Brown told council. “We would not have the opportunity if council didn’t approve, at this point in time, to put in the application at our next council meeting.”
Brown said the grant was announced at the end of May and while nothing has been decided regarding pathways in Black Diamond at this point, pathways is a 2015 priority.
“If we don’t get (the grant) and we’re not eligible we’ll know within 90 days (of the deadline),” she said. “All we’re looking to do at this point in time is fill out a grant application with the rest of the pieces to come in later. If we don’t even get the grant it’s a dead deal.”
For the past few weeks, Black Diamond and Turner Valley councillors and administration have been talking with members of the public about the potential for a pathway looping the two communities via the Turner Valley Golf Club and incorporating the Friendship Trail.
The discussion started with a grassroots group called the Healthy Development Committee to create a 10 km trail proposed to run along the south side of the Sheep River.
The Town of Black Diamond developed a pathways plan in 2006 that explored a potential trail through the golf course following the West End Sewage pipeline right of way, but nothing materialized.
“I’m saying go ahead and seize the opportunity,” Joanne Irwin, Black Diamond’s chief administrative officer, told council. “It’s just a grant request. You are not spending any money at this point.
“We think this is a good thing to do, but we are not going to approve it in whole until we know what we are doing. Even though you apply for a grant you could just not do it.”
Before making its decision, council discussed connecting with its neighbour to the west to determine who should apply for the grant, as the applicant would be the managing partner for the project.
“Seventy-five per cent of the (proposed) trail is in Turner Valley and 25 per cent is in the town of Black Diamond,” Irwin said. “If 75 per cent of this is in another town the other town should be the managing partner.”
Irwin told council, before the decision was made, that the role of managing partner could potentially be transferred to Turner Valley if Black Diamond submitted the application.
“Today you’ve got 14 days, not even that,” she said. “The rest of the details are going to be worked out later.”
Black Diamond coun. Michel Jackson was one of two councillors who voted against the motion, saying the two communities should get together and iron out the details first.
“We’re talking about a project that might wind up to be $10 million,” he said.
Turner Valley Town council passed a motion during its June 1 meeting to support the Town of Black Diamond in principle to apply for the grant and to work with the neighbouring town on the project.
“That’s the extent of what we were prepared to do,” said Barry Williamson, the Town’s chief administrative officer. “We never did say you become the managing partner. I don’t think either side is really project ready. It’s being pushed by a citizens’ group. Good for them to have that enthusiasm, but these grants aren’t just simply sign-me-up.”
Murray Knowler, a member of the citizens group, said he’s glad the Town of Black Diamond is applying for grant money for the potential pathway.
“I like the idea of splitting the cost between Albertans, instead of just Black Diamond and Turner Valley citizens,” he said. “Any time you’re adding walking paths to a community, that in itself is positive. I know a lot of my aches and pains are a result of not moving enough.”
Chris Weingarth, a member of the healthy development committee, said the group will discuss establishing a non-profit organization to shepherd the process and apply for funding.
