City Receives Approval of Municipal Stimulus Program Funding
Medicine Hat – Earlier in 2020, the Government of Alberta announced additional capital infrastructure funding to municipalities and Metis Settlements through the Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP). The City of Medicine Hat submitted five projects for consideration, and has received approval to proceed with the projects as submitted.
“2020 has been a challenging year for Albertans and municipalities are no exception. This program will help drive economic growth in Medicine Hat and communities across the province by creating jobs and positioning Alberta as a great place to live, work and do business,” says Drew Barnes, MLA Cypress – Medicine Hat.
The program’s objectives are to sustain and create local jobs, enhance provincial competitiveness and productivity and position communities to participate in future economic growth, and reduce municipal red tape to promote job-creating private sector investment.
Eligible project categories included roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, public transit and recreation. Municipalities were able to submit a maximum of five projects that would not have gone forward without MSP funding. The criteria also specified that all projects must meet MSP objectives, not lead to operational funding requirements or property tax increases and that funds must be expended by December 31, 2021.
“The City of Medicine Hat welcomes this news from the province,” says Dennis Egert, Commissioner of Corporate Services. “This program will provide a much needed boost in our community after a very challenging year.”
“Local governments have been on the frontlines of Alberta’s COVID response and have shouldered a heavy burden from the pandemic’s economic impact. I’m proud to support the more than $13 million that Alberta’s government is investing in Medicine Hat to support projects that create good-paying construction jobs now and strengthen our community as we enter 2021,” says Michaela Glasgo, MLA Brooks – Medicine Hat.
With MSP funding confirmed, the City of Medicine Hat will proceed with the following five projects (to be completed in 2021.)
Gas City Campground Construction
To generate additional net income, the Gas City Campground will convert its remaining 15-20 sites to full service and also add three to five comfort camping, cabin-style sites as a unique service offering to specific tourists / campers.
Multi-Use Trail Development and Extension
South SK River – from Gas City Campground to Echo Dale Regional Park.
This portion of the multi-use trail system was previously anticipated as a five-year phased project. Phase one was completed in 2020, and the remaining phases can be completed under the Municipal Stimulus Program, which will enable the addition of 15-20 km of trail that is expected to increase tourism for adventure tourists and act as a catalyst for increased camping, private accommodations, and visits to neighbouring attractions. A local volunteer group is under agreement with the City to monitor and maintain the condition of the trails.
South Railway – from South Railway/Kingsway to Downtown
This portion of the mulit-use trail system creates an additional recreation opportunity by creating a pedestrian/cycling connection between Kin Coulee, Downtown, and the Lion’s Park trail network.
Multi-Court Pickleball Facility
Pickleball is a rapidly developing recreation activity enjoyed by both the young and aging demographics. Community members and a local pickleball club have approached the City to provide a 20-court outdoor pickleball facility to enable both local play and “tournament destination” recreation. The local pickleball club will operate the venue.
Town Square – Redevelopment of 603 1st Street SE and Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park
The area will be redeveloped and integrated for dual-use as a much-needed off-street parking lot and a clean, safe and accessible outdoor event space that further enhances access to the waterfront (“town square”). The proposed project includes engineering and design, re-paving a parking lot, construction of fencing, construction of a solar canopy, enhancements to signage, and overall improvement to aesthetics of the area.
BMX Track Upgrades
In the City’s quest to elevate an active lifestyle, this enhancement will allow our city to host provincial and national competitions with ancillary benefit to regional tourism. This project would raise the starting gate of the existing BMX track to regulation height and address necessary track improvements to compete on a national stage. The local BMX club will maintain the track.
Media inquiries:
media@medicinehat.ca
“2020 has been a challenging year for Albertans and municipalities are no exception. This program will help drive economic growth in Medicine Hat and communities across the province by creating jobs and positioning Alberta as a great place to live, work and do business,” says Drew Barnes, MLA Cypress – Medicine Hat.
The program’s objectives are to sustain and create local jobs, enhance provincial competitiveness and productivity and position communities to participate in future economic growth, and reduce municipal red tape to promote job-creating private sector investment.
Eligible project categories included roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, public transit and recreation. Municipalities were able to submit a maximum of five projects that would not have gone forward without MSP funding. The criteria also specified that all projects must meet MSP objectives, not lead to operational funding requirements or property tax increases and that funds must be expended by December 31, 2021.
“The City of Medicine Hat welcomes this news from the province,” says Dennis Egert, Commissioner of Corporate Services. “This program will provide a much needed boost in our community after a very challenging year.”
“Local governments have been on the frontlines of Alberta’s COVID response and have shouldered a heavy burden from the pandemic’s economic impact. I’m proud to support the more than $13 million that Alberta’s government is investing in Medicine Hat to support projects that create good-paying construction jobs now and strengthen our community as we enter 2021,” says Michaela Glasgo, MLA Brooks – Medicine Hat.
With MSP funding confirmed, the City of Medicine Hat will proceed with the following five projects (to be completed in 2021.)
Gas City Campground Construction
To generate additional net income, the Gas City Campground will convert its remaining 15-20 sites to full service and also add three to five comfort camping, cabin-style sites as a unique service offering to specific tourists / campers.
Multi-Use Trail Development and Extension
South SK River – from Gas City Campground to Echo Dale Regional Park.
This portion of the multi-use trail system was previously anticipated as a five-year phased project. Phase one was completed in 2020, and the remaining phases can be completed under the Municipal Stimulus Program, which will enable the addition of 15-20 km of trail that is expected to increase tourism for adventure tourists and act as a catalyst for increased camping, private accommodations, and visits to neighbouring attractions. A local volunteer group is under agreement with the City to monitor and maintain the condition of the trails.
South Railway – from South Railway/Kingsway to Downtown
This portion of the mulit-use trail system creates an additional recreation opportunity by creating a pedestrian/cycling connection between Kin Coulee, Downtown, and the Lion’s Park trail network.
Multi-Court Pickleball Facility
Pickleball is a rapidly developing recreation activity enjoyed by both the young and aging demographics. Community members and a local pickleball club have approached the City to provide a 20-court outdoor pickleball facility to enable both local play and “tournament destination” recreation. The local pickleball club will operate the venue.
Town Square – Redevelopment of 603 1st Street SE and Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park
The area will be redeveloped and integrated for dual-use as a much-needed off-street parking lot and a clean, safe and accessible outdoor event space that further enhances access to the waterfront (“town square”). The proposed project includes engineering and design, re-paving a parking lot, construction of fencing, construction of a solar canopy, enhancements to signage, and overall improvement to aesthetics of the area.
BMX Track Upgrades
In the City’s quest to elevate an active lifestyle, this enhancement will allow our city to host provincial and national competitions with ancillary benefit to regional tourism. This project would raise the starting gate of the existing BMX track to regulation height and address necessary track improvements to compete on a national stage. The local BMX club will maintain the track.
Media inquiries:
media@medicinehat.ca
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