INNISFAIL – The Town of Innisfail is moving forward with an application for a federal grant from the Active Transportation Fund to cover 60 per cent of the cost to install solar lighting at the dog park and along a nearby trail.
The installation of solar lighting at Upper Centennial Park has come to council’s attention twice this year.
The first attempt on Jan. 27 asked council to consider a parking lot near the dog park but that has been put on hold following council concerns it would face criticism for providing access to go through the Innisfail Cemetery.
There were also concerns of a igniting a potential problem of creating a new venue for late night rowdyism, like the much-publicized past case of the parking lot in the lower Centennial Park area.
On Feb. 3, Steven Kennedy, director of operations for the Town of Innisfail, presented a revised version of the plan, one that could be potentially acceptable for the federal grant and include six to eight solar LED light poles for the Upper Centennial Off-leash Dog Park, and an additional six for an area trail that connects Upper Aspen to Lakewood Drive.
“Administration is recommending proceeding with the two lighting projects for the (grant) application and leaving the parking lot for future consideration,” said Kennedy in his report to council.
Kennedy’s report said the cost for the off-leash dog park lighting would be about $60,000 while the estimated price tag for the trail solar lighting was about $33,000.
“I feel from my time when I used to take my dogs to the park it (lighting) would be a great addition, especially during the winter months,” said Coun. Dale Dunham. “I like the idea that it would be solar.
“The biggest selling feature right now is the fact that if the grant did come through it would definitely minimize the cost to our taxpayers. I also like the addition of that pathway for it.
"I think it would allow better use, better security, and would allow some of our citizens that do have concerns about security to potentially go there with a little bit more ease of mind.”
Council was told that if the town is successful in its bid to secure the federal grant it would cover up to a maximum of 60 per cent of the total cost, with the town covering the remainder from its General Capital Reserve.
Kennedy said grant applications are being accepted until Feb. 26. He said he did not know when he would find out if the town was successful.
Kennedy told council the project will not proceed if the town is unsuccessful in acquiring the grant.
Council unanimously approved two motions to move forward with the first directing administration to apply for the federal grant to assist in the cost of solar lighting for both projects, and the second for administration to come back to council to approve the two projects if the town is successful with its grant application.
