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Status quo to remain in place for unregistered road

Wary of future liability, Sundre will not pursue the idea of buying the unregistered road on school property that runs along the south side of Snake Hill and just west of the high school. However, the town will continue to maintain the road.

Wary of future liability, Sundre will not pursue the idea of buying the unregistered road on school property that runs along the south side of Snake Hill and just west of the high school.

However, the town will continue to maintain the road.

At the town management and governance meeting on Sept. 6, council members were told that there was a public expectation that it looks after the road. They were presented with a recommendation from administration that the status quo remain in place – that Chinook's Edge School Division retains ownership but the town continues its maintenance.

“If we continue to maintain it at the (same) level we are mitigating any (potential) liability,” noted Coun. Michael Baird.

The issue will not have to go before council at its next regular meeting (Sept. 12) as members agreed no new action was taking place.

The roadway is currently used to access the east side of the rodeo grounds, the tennis courts, the ball diamonds and the high school fields. It is also used by school buses to access Centre Street at the southeast corner of Snake Hill.

Earlier this summer council members were told the roadway, which started as a narrow dirt trail, runs over a Town of Sundre utility right-of-way (URW) for a gas line and a water line, which crosses the school playground area.

Council members also heard the road had slowly developed over the years from a barely drivable path to its current state.

Meanwhile, bus drivers had requested that this road be maintained more often. Council members were told Sept. 6 the town provided basic blading to the road and the cost was minimal.

In a report to council members, administration stated there was a drainage issue where the road turns at the corner of a ball diamond, and that poor construction had led to potholes and rough sections.

Ron Baker, the town's director of operation services, said the school board would likely sell the road to the town for “almost nothing.”

However, at least one councillor felt that was even unreasonable.

“Why should we have to buy it? It's like squatting,” said Coun. Chris Vardas, noting it was property that was historically taken under control by the town for a considerable period of time.

Ryan Leuzinger, the town's chief administrative officer, told council members that while the cost of purchasing the land would be minimal there would still be expenditures – up to $10,000 - to have the property surveyed and registered as a road allowance. He added the road would also have to be improved by grading, adding more gravel base, culverts and signage.

As for the liability issue, Sundre officials were told earlier this summer by BSEI, the town's municipal consulting engineers, there are challenges and potential liabilities if the town assumed control of the road as it is located directly west of the high school. The town was told that ensuring the road met proper safety standards was “paramount.”

As well, noted an administration report, the road is 7.6 metres wide at its narrowest point and there is a large transformer on the east side.

“This does not even meet even the minimum specification for a residential street, which requires a 15-metre wide right of way with a nine-metre street width,” said the report.

It was also noted by administration there are no walkways, sidewalks or trails along the road. Pedestrians must walk along the edge of the road.

The administration report tabled at the Sept. 6 governance meeting stated there was no money allocated in 2011 for the acquisition of the road.


Johnnie Bachusky

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