The Town of Rocky Mountain House will be providing a $26,021 loan to a local football club to cover cost overruns and interest payments involved with the Curtis Field lighting project.

Rocky Mountain House and District Minor Football Association first requested assistance back in November 2024, citing ballooning costs and inflationary pressures that put the final cost of the project well over 2017 estimates.

The original ask from the football club was just over $23,750, however, citing interest being charged to the overdue account, it has also requested the town to increase it by $2,271.

While the majority of council supported a loan, Deputy Mayor Dale Shippelt stood by his position that the town should cover the balance outright.

“Learned a long time ago, the fastest way to make an enemy is to borrow money,” Shippelt said at a Nov. 19 council meeting. “I think we need to move this off our plate and not have it linger around.”

Lights at Curtis Field in Rocky Mountain House, Sept. 14, 2024. (Photo by Serina Taylor/Isaac Laut)

The loan from the town comes with a five per cent interest component. However, if the balance is paid in full or additional payments are made, it will be recalculated upon these payments.

If paid in full prior to December 2025, no interest will be charged, providing an incentive to pay off the loan as soon as possible.

The bylaw passed by council establishes that the funds will come from the council priority reserves, and upon receiving payment, the funds would be returned to this reserve.

This reserve is expected to have a closing balance of $500,000 at the end of 2025.

The Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County had previously each contributed $56,000 to cover cost overruns, including electrical work, engineering, the hiring of a project manager, and the ballooning cost of the masts.

The $400,000 lightning mast project was completed in August 2024.

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RELATED: 

• “Football can’t afford $23,000.” Rocky Minor Football requests Town & County assist with deficit  
• Lighting mast project complete at Curtis Field

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