After weeks of heavy rain, strong winds and localized flooding across the Lakeland, infrastructure has become a common topic of conversation.

For St. Paul Mayor Glenn Andersen, the recent weather served as a reminder of why municipalities need to invest in infrastructure before problems become emergencies.

Speaking with Lakeland Connect, Andersen reflected on how the Town responded to the recent storms, why maintaining reserves matters and how long-term borrowing helps communities complete major projects without placing the entire burden on taxpayers at once.

Recent storms put infrastructure to the test

Like many communities across northeastern Alberta, St. Paul experienced several weeks of heavy rainfall that tested stormwater systems and left residents watching water levels closely.

Andersen said while some properties experienced localized issues and crews responded to reports of fallen trees and drainage concerns, the Town’s infrastructure generally performed well.

He credited Public Works, Parks and Recreation and emergency responders for their work throughout the wet weather, noting that recent storms also highlighted areas where improvements are still needed.

One example is the planned stormwater upgrades tied to the Sunnyside Lodge redevelopment.

At a recent council meeting, the administration advised that portions of the existing storm sewer system serving the area are undersized and deteriorating, and recommended upgrades before construction of the new lodge continues. The proposed work would replace approximately 250 metres of storm infrastructure with larger pipe and upgraded catch basins to improve drainage capacity.

For Andersen, the recent rainfall reinforced the need for projects like that not to wait.

“When these downpours happen, that’s when you find your weak spots,” he said.

Planning ahead instead of reacting

The mayor said municipalities face a difficult balancing act.

Residents expect reliable infrastructure, but replacing aging roads, underground utilities and public facilities requires years of planning and significant financial investment.

Rather than waiting for infrastructure to fail, Andersen said the council continues working to set money aside through reserves and capital planning so projects can be addressed before they become larger, more expensive problems.

He acknowledged that weather events often reveal issues that weren’t previously obvious, making it even more important to maintain flexibility in future budgets.

“The reality is you never know what you’re going to uncover until you get one of these major weather events,” he said.

Financing major projects

Andersen also discussed how municipalities pay for large infrastructure projects, explaining that borrowing remains an important tool when paired with grants and responsible long-term planning.

Projects such as water system upgrades can cost millions of dollars, making it unrealistic for communities the size of St. Paul to fund them entirely through annual taxation.

Instead, municipalities typically combine provincial and federal grants, reserve funding and long-term borrowing to spread costs over the life of the infrastructure.

The approach allows projects to move forward when needed while helping manage the financial impact on local taxpayers.

As St. Paul continues to invest in water infrastructure, stormwater improvements, and other capital projects, Andersen said thoughtful planning remains the key to protecting residents and preparing the community for future growth.

“We’re trying to fix today’s problems while making sure we’re ready for tomorrow’s,” he said.