Cold Lake city council is continuing efforts to prepare land for future commercial and residential growth as development pressure increases across the region.

Several projects tied to long-term expansion were discussed during recent council meetings, including the Imperial Park Commercial Servicing Plan and efforts to advance medium-density housing development near 16th Street.

Council approved a $20,000 capital budget amendment for the Imperial Park planning project, which is intended to help prepare land near the Energy Centre for future commercial investment.

Administration confirmed the City secured approximately $100,000 in provincial funding toward the initiative through the Northern and Regional Economic Development program.

The work will focus on long-term servicing requirements, including:

• water
• sewer
• stormwater infrastructure
• development readiness

Administration also confirmed that there is already investor interest in the area, though some discussions remain confidential under non-disclosure agreements.

The broader discussion also included the City’s efforts to advance stalled residential land development projects.

Regarding the proposed 16th Street medium-density housing development, Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Nagoya said the land has remained inactive for some time and the City has been working to help facilitate progress.

“It was a piece of land that has been stuck and in order to get it out… the City of Cold Lake has been facilitating… to try to get a positive outcome that would benefit the community with it,” Nagoya said.

Nagoya said administration recommended increasing the project budget and using a short-term borrowing bylaw to help separate financing tied specifically to the development.

“In order to move the project forward,” Nagoya said council should “increase the budget” and utilize “a short-term borrowing bylaw” so “the financing of the project can be kept somewhat separate.”

The projects come as Cold Lake prepares for expected long-term population growth tied to industrial activity, military expansion and regional economic development.

In a recent exclusive interview with Lakeland Connect, Mayor Bob Mattice said the City is intentionally preparing its infrastructure before growth accelerates further.

“There’s a lot going on all of a sudden with everything going on in Cold Lake,” Mattice said.

“A lot of it’s not quite there yet, but we’re preparing for it again.”

Mattice described the City’s overall approach as “getting ahead of the challenge.”

The Imperial Park planning work is expected to continue through the summer and fall and will eventually include public engagement and future public hearings.