By Marianne Cole
Broadband Information
Broadband Survey: A survey set up to gather public opinion on the county’s Broadband Business Plan was available on-line earlier this summer and closed July 18, 2022. Unfortunately there were only 43 responses. Of those, 36 expressed a negative viewpoint on the plan, while only 7 had a positive opinion.
Basically the Plan lays out a 6 phase process to install a fibre optic backbone network throughout the county. Once installed, individual Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) could connect to this “framework” as they proceed further to install services to the homes.
The biggest concerns focussed on questionable returns on investment as it is difficult to assess what the response/usage of the system might be from ISP’s.
A Broadband Committee Meeting, involving all of Council minus Councillor Ratcliffe, was held on September 20, 2022. It featured a well-prepared presentation by the County’s Tech Department on an “Open Access” network operation. Basically, “An open Access network is open to be used by multiple service providers simultaneously and on equal terms, enabling choices for customers.” The OAN may be compared to a road system. A network owner (the county) builds and maintains the “road” and any user (ISP’s) would then pay a “toll fee”. While profits from investment may be questionable, especially in rural areas, it does help create a more attractive community for residents and businesses through the availability of improved broadband access.
Great discussion took place among councillors with some of the following comments highlighted:
· A need to get more information out to the public about the potential benefits/risks involved with the Broadband Plans and encourage public engagement in the process.
· Estimated cost of the work on the backbone project Capital budget for 2023 is $3.5M.
· Core backbone work out to Nordegg is now complete and there is interest by ISP’s to complete hook-up to the residences.
· Continuing questions about the necessity of installing fibre optic cable all the way to Olds.
Council has asked for more information on the project and another meeting is planned to discuss broadband issues and plans. It may be helpful to discuss this matter with your councillor and urge that in-person information meetings be held.
Agricultural Recreation Facility
The development of an Ag. Rec. Facility was discussed at the September 27, 2022 Council meeting. This project had previously been discussed in 2015. At that time 2 phases were presented: Phase 1 would include the “development of a new indoor agricultural recreation facility (indoor riding arena) to meet basic community program and event need.” Phase 2 would include the “Addition of a banquet/exhibition facility in order to increase the event hosting capacity of the site and better meet community need. Existing indoor riding arena (Phase 1 development) also enhanced with additional amenities (e.g. increased spectator seating, box stalls).”
At that time various stakeholder groups (4-H clubs, Ag. Society, Stampede and Chuckwagon Associations, Gymkhana, Town of Rocky, and Chamber of Commerce) had been surveyed to gather opinions on the project. Information from the survey suggested that, “While the majority of participants were generally in favour of developing a new agricultural recreation facility, a number of important factors and considerations were shared with regards to operational models, facility components and amenities and the need for continued stakeholder engagement and involvement.”
At that time the anticipated capital costs for Phase 1 were $12,031,500 and for Phase 2 were $10,071,000. Operational costs for Phase 1 indicated a revenue versus expenses deficit of $129,800/year while Phase 2 projected a deficit of $63,150.
Certainly costs for both capital and operations have risen significantly in the last 7 years. Excellent discussion by Council on this matter took place, including a desire to gather input from all county residents and a strong need for more current information on financial aspects of the project.
MDP Review
Planning has been working to summarize comments and input gathered at the various meetings held in August and emails sent in. On September 29, 2022 Council held a closed information meeting to hear a presentation from the Consultant and Planning on, “What we have Heard”. A summary of those comments, along with possible changes to the Municipal Development Plan will, hopefully, be available early in October. A “final” draft may be released in November and it is anticipated that a special Public Hearing on the document may be held in January.
Coming Events:
Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 7:30PM, Arbutus Community Hall, regular monthly meeting
Wednesday, November 9, 2022, 7:30PM, Arbutus Community Hall, ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Thanksgiving Thought: “You ought to be thankful a whole heaping lot, for the places and people you’re lucky you’re not.” Dr. Seuss.
