Rocky Mountain House’s utility systems are “well sized” to meet near term needs.
That’s according to a report from Stantec seeking to update the town’s 2015 Utility Master Plan (UMP), which focusses on water, wastewater, stormwater, and
transportation improvements.
Stephan Weninger, North American Discipline Leader, Conveyance at Stantec, says no major changes are required by the town to meet anticipated growth in the next 25 years.
Weninger points to the town’s new $30 million wastewater treatment plant, which is set to go online later in 2025 as putting the town ahead of the curve. The report shows the town’s existing wastewater regime can support a population of about 10,700 people.
As far as anticipated growth goes, the report says Rocky’s estimated population is 6,635 people with capacity to support another 2,205 individuals.
A future land use map has a total of 1820 Ha of land that can be developed with a planned population of 18,644 within the Intermunicipal Development (IDP) areas.
Based on calculations, however, it would take 268 years to reach a full population of 27,785.
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However, “no one has that crystal ball”, says Weninger- pointing to the “hot thing” of data centres and their potential to add to demand on utility systems.
Rocky Mountain House has expressed interest in exploring its potential.
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For transportation, a number of projects were recommended to be completed in the next 25 years. Weninger says many of them were also included in the 2015 plan, but haven’t been needed because population growth hasn’t made it urgent.
That includes:
42 Ave (Phase 1) $11,142,000
42 Ave (Phase 2) $7,428,000
60 St (52 Ave to 42 Ave) $4,800,000
47 Ave (SH 752 to 42 Ave) $2,700,000
Southwest Quadrant Collector $3,500,000
Southeast Quadrant Collector $3,100,000
Intersection of 48 Ave & 50 St $370,000
Intersection of 48 Ave & 51 St $370,000
Intersection of 50 Ave & 60 St $70,000
However, he says the most major proposed project is the Highway 11 twinning through town, which is a provincial government project.
The report also calls for $80 million for wastewater improvements, but Weninger says that expands beyond the 25 year horizon, so no immediate action is required.
Weninger applauded the town for being on top of maintaining its utility and transportation systems, saying he often tells other municipalities they “have a lot of work to do”. “It’s a testament to good governance and administration over the past 25 years, and over the last 10 since the last study was completed.”
You can read the full report from Stantec here.
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