Following a recent presentation to council from Sundre's director of finance and administration outlining an update on capital projects, the mayor pointed out a positive development.
"There's a trend here, and it's ëunder budget'," said Terry Leslie during council's Jan. 30 meeting.
Looking over numerous projects that were completed last year, the mayor highlighted those that had been completed at a lower cost than anticipated.
Among the larger projects was the Mountain View Seniors' Housing campus of care, which was forecast to run up a tab of more than $1.2 million but actually ended up being completed at a cost of less than $1 million, he said.
"It was 24.2 per cent under budget. That $300,000 goes into a reserve to complete some of the work through the trails and some drainage issues that are over by that new Mountain View Seniors' Housing building."
Another large-scale project completed under budget was the 10th Street SW upgrade that was expected to cost as much as $1.5 million but was actually completed with a savings of about $184,000, the mayor said.
Additionally, the corridor way-finding or directional signage project, which was budgeted at about $45,000, was actually completed at a little more than $31,000. Two playgrounds that were replaced in Sundre's north end also came in about 12 per cent under budget, and he attributed part of that success to volunteer contributions.
"That is a great deal of work with the staff, but lots of volunteers came and helped out. That is the community spirit that helped get that stuff done and get it under budget."
For a full breakdown of all the Town of Sundre's capital projects as presented in the administrator's report, visit www.sundre.com and click on the Jan. 30 council agenda, which can be found under "Council Meeting Agendas & Minutes" in the "Government" tab.
