St. Paul’s New Council Begins Term with Department Reviews and Infrastructure Briefings

The newly elected Town of St. Paul council began its four-year term with an organisational meeting on Nov. 3, receiving department updates, touring key facilities and hearing early warnings about infrastructure and service pressures that are likely to shape upcoming budget discussions.

 

Council Starts with a Full Overview of Municipal Operations

 

Directors from water and wastewater, parks and recreation, fire services, municipal enforcement, planning and development, economic development and occupational health and safety delivered overviews of their departments, outlining day-to-day responsibilities and current challenges.

 

To support informed decision-making ahead of budget deliberations, councillors were also invited to tour the Town’s critical infrastructure, including water treatment facilities, the pump house and wastewater plants.

 

Recreation Department Outlines Upgrades and Concerns

 

Director of Parks and Recreation Harvey Smyl highlighted several recent facility upgrades and ongoing projects at the golf course, baseball diamonds, the Aquatic Centre and the Clancy Richard Arena.

 

Smyl said the Town has submitted a grant application for a proposed outdoor multi-sport facility at the former OTJ site near Racette Jr. High School. The project includes basketball, tennis, pickleball, volleyball and roller hockey courts.

 

A separate federal grant application remains in process for significant upgrades at the Clancy Richard Arena, including a new ice plant, floor, boards and glass. CAO Steven Jeffery noted that the federal election has delayed progress on the application, though the Town expects an update later this year.

 

Smyl also flagged maintenance issues at the CAP Arena and structural concerns at Reunion Station. Water shortages at the soccer fields and trout pond during recent summers remain a priority for long-term planning.

 

Protective Services Highlights Animal Shelter Strain

 

Director of Protective Services Trevor Kotowich raised concerns regarding regional animal shelter capacity. He explained that the Town currently provides a modest annual grant to one shelter, but space limitations often force the department to transport animals to facilities in Cold Lake, Lloydminster, Camrose, Mundare or Red Deer.

 

“When that shelter is full, we either have to turn a blind eye to animals that are caught or spend thousands transporting them elsewhere,” Kotowich said. “We need to take a serious look at our current funding model.”

 

Broader Municipal Challenges Surface

 

In addition to recreation and enforcement updates, council also heard departmental briefings from STEP Economic Development Officer Linda Sallstrom and Regional Director of Occupational Health and Safety Ashley Dary, each outlining ongoing work and upcoming priorities.

 

The organisational meeting served as council’s first detailed look at the operational landscape they will be navigating over the next four years, with infrastructure needs, facility upgrades and service pressures already emerging as central themes.