Entwistle Sewage Lagoon expanded thanks to Infrastructure Stimulus funding
Parkland County, Alberta, October 21, 2011 – Residents ofWabamunLake and the West Half of Parkland County will benefit from a more sustainable wastewater system thanks to a joint investment by the governments ofCanada andAlberta, and the Municipality of Parkland County. The Honourable Rob Merrifield, MP for Yellowhead, and Tracey Melnyk, Division 6 Councillor forParklandCounty, marked the completion of the project at an official ribbon-cutting today.
“Our Government is committed to improving the environment and the quality of life of all Canadians, and we are proud to have supported the expansion of this sewage lagoon,” said MP Merrifield, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “By partnering with the provincial and municipal governments, we have improved an essential wastewater system for the community while creating jobs and stimulating the local economy.”
“This project is about safe water for the public as well as promoting a green future for residents in this part ofAlberta,” said Ray Danyluk, Minister of Alberta Transportation. “TheAlbertagovernment believes that strong communities make a strong province, and our investment in significant improvements to this wastewater system will enhance the quality of life of residents and benefit the local economy.”
“When we moved forward with the expansion of the Entwistle Lagoon, we looked at other opportunities to ensure this facility met the current and future needs of the community,” said Parkland County Mayor Rod Shaigec. “Not only did we expand the lagoon, but we also added other improvements to the site, including vehicle access controls, a cardlock system, and better odour control measures, all for less than the $3.15 million originally budgeted. Residents of Entwistle and the west end ofParklandCountynow have a superior, sustainable sewage lagoon with greater capacity, longer life, and improved environmental standards. We are grateful for the financial support from the Federal and Provincial Governments that greatly assisted in allowing this project to be completed.”
The main feature of this project was the expansion of the present Entwistle Sewage Lagoon. With this expansion,WabamunLakearea residents will be provided with a sewage treatment facility that will serve them for 40 years or more. In addition to expanding the facility’s capacity, several improvements were made to the site, including the installation of insulated odour-control covers, an electronic gate with an automated card-lock system, and improved landscaping.
The Government of Canada allocated $1.05 million toward the project through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. TheProvinceofAlbertaalso contributed $1.05 million and the Municipality of Parkland County contributed the balance of the funding toward eligible project costs of $3.150 million.
As part ofCanada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding to more than 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country. Since April 2009, 252 projects inAlbertahave received a total federal commitment of over $421 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
TheAlbertagovernment is working to build a betterAlbertaby fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada’s investments in Alberta, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Martin Dupuis
Alberta Transportation
780-427-1938
780-916-9625 (cell)
Bruno St. Amand
ParklandCounty
780-968-8441
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
