CARSTAIRS - Town council has passed bylaws approving $940,000 in borrowing for the new fire hall project and for upgrades to the town-owned Carstairs Community Golf Club.
The approvals came by way of motions at the Sept. 27 council meeting, held in person and on Zoom.
Bylaw No. 2020 authorizes the borrowing of $573,229.33 to help fund servicing and some construction costs at the new hall, located 825 Mandalay Boulevard east of Highway 2A.
Mayor Lance Colby says borrowing the amount from Alberta Capital Finance Authority instead of taking out a debenture will allow the municipality to pay off the loan quicker.
Town council earlier authorizing administration to enter into an agreement with a contractor to construct the new $4 million Carstairs and Mountain View County fire hall.
Eagle Builders LP has been awarded the contract based on a tender of $4,088,627. Three other contractors were in the final consideration: Scott Builders ($4.1 million), Shunda ($4.3 million) and Stuart Olsen ($4.1 million).
Work on the new hall is underway, with completion currently scheduled for April 2020.
As well as the new borrowing, the town will be accessing an additional $233,255 provincial grant to help with servicing costs.
Council earlier approved a $1.6 million borrowing over 15 years for the fire hall project.
The new hall will replace the existing fire hall, which will be repurposed for other town requirements.
Mountain View County council recently passed a motion approving a $2 million contribution toward the new fire hall project.
During the same Sept. 27 council meeting councillors authorized the borrowing of $367,000 for the golf course infrastructure upgrade project.
The project will see the parking lot and cart path paved once the club closes for the season.
The loan is also being taken out from the Alberta Capital Finance Authority.
The paving is expected to be completed before the start of the 2022 golf seasons, said Colby.
