Rocky Mountain House town council has approved $246,650 in unbudgeted spending for minimum upgrades to its 53-year-old town office building.

A report from administration said the work is needed to ensure a safe environment for staff, including replacing furnaces and rooftop units, repairing the roof and fixing leaks.

Administration said the furnaces failed three times over the past winter, and replacement parts are becoming harder to find as the system ages.

Staff also reported symptoms such as fatigue and headaches, prompting an indoor air quality assessment. Concerningly, the results showed carbon dioxide levels above recommended limits and airborne fungus in some areas.

Chief administrative officer Dean Krause said the upgrades are the “bare minimum” needed until council decides on a future town hall.

Council members debated whether to invest in a building they fully intent to replace in the future.

Plans for a new town office have been discussed for years. In 2023, council explored building on the current site on 50 Avenue. More recently, it has considered a new concept combining a civic centre and field house.

Rocky Mountain House Mayor Shane Boniface speaks about the potential for a new town office and civic centre building

With no decision yet, Krause said the town will need to remain in the current building for some time.

Deputy Mayor Dale Shippelt questioned whether the roof needs full replacement or could be repaired in sections.

Mayor Shane Boniface supported replacing the roof, saying delaying the work could increase costs later.

“It’s unfortunate — we have an old building,” said Coun. Ken Moesker, adding the repairs highlight the need to move ahead with a new facility.

“To councils in the past, this has been put off. I don’t want to be one of those,” he said.

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Council approved an amendment to the 2026 capital budget to cover the cost, with funding to come from the infrastructure reserve.