The Rocky Mountain House and District Agricultural Society has tapped Clearwater County to take over installation of historic school marker signs.

The metal signs, which dot Clearwater County, were previously a largely community-led initiative, with local businesses such as Bernie Lublinkhof Welding donating time and labour to manufacture and help install the signs. The county provided gravel, cleanup, and monitored the placement of the signs.

However, in its letter to the county, the Ag Society says the project is strapped for cash, citing heritage grants that haven’t materialized. As such, its requesting the county handle the installation portion, requiring a total budget adjustment of around $10,000.

Beaver Flat historic school marker as seen Aug. 27, 2024. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)

The current agreement, signed in 2024, charges the Ag Society with ordering, installing, and maintaining the signs.

Initial estimates show the cost to fabricate a sign was $1500, while installation was approximately $1000. However, if Clearwater County staff were to take on the obligations, the cost would be approximately $500 per sign.

“We believe we can do it for much less,” said Kurt Magnus, director of Public Works Operations.

Although, if a vac truck is required, it would be an additional $280/hr.

To date, 27 signs have been installed around the county in historic school sites such as Beaver Flat, Leslieville, Alhambra, Gaetz, Faraway, Arbutus, Gimlet and Frisco.

Historic school marker sign in Leslieville. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)

The society says 19 signs are currently listed as in progress including Buster Creek, Withrow, Daisy Nook, Crimson Lake, Leafland, Northup, Prairie Rose and Washington Heights.

An additional 15 signs are being considered for the future in Caroline and other areas.

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READ MORE:

• Historic school marker erected in Clearwater County
• Clearwater County historic school: Leslieville
• Clearwater County historic school: Beaver Flat

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A letter from the Ag Society says feedback from the community at large has been very positive. Adjacent landowners have indicated they’re delighted that children once went to school where they now live, with some even motivated to search for artifacts.

Clearwater County has so far contributed $15,000 to the project, with an additional $13,500 coming from various grants.

Council approved three recommendations: directing Clearwater County administration to amend the scope of work associated with the Ag Society Agreement, to take on installation, and to adjust the public works operations budget by $10,000 to be funded from contingency.

Alhambra historic school marker sign. (Rocky Mountain House Ag Society)