Photo by Shaun Penner

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Council approves 2021 city budget after removing some planned upgrades to Revolution Place

Nov 30, 2020 | 8:10 PM

Grande Prairie City Council has approved the 2021 city budget but has reduced the amount of work to be done at Revolution Place.

Council voted not to borrow $2.75 million for lobby and vestibule upgrades next year. That idea has been moved to the 2022 budget so more discussions can take place.

The vote was 6-3 in favour, with Mayor Bill Given and Councillors Clyde Blackburn and Yad Minhas casting the opposing votes.

Another $225,000 will still go towards building a new loading dock, but that will be paid for with reserve funds, not borrowing.

Councillor Dylan Bressey brought the idea to council.

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He says given financial uncertainties for the city and its residents, now is not the time to borrow money for something he describes as “nice to have.”

“I think that could be a really good addition in the future once we know what we’re doing with the building long-term, but now is just not the time to do that” said Bressey.

“Let’s get through this COVID-19 pandemic, let’s get our economy humming again, and let’s figure out what our long-term plan is with the building and then talk about these major investments.”

He adds while the lobby upgrades are considered nice to have, the loading dock is needed.

“There have been concerns about the safety of crews loading and unloading in sub-zero temperatures. There are big operational issues, just in terms of the cost associated with that very inefficient loading we have right now. That’s also something that is a relatively small ticket and that I know will be used in the long-term no matter what else happens with that building.”

Mayor Bill Given voted against the idea of delaying others upgrades, thinking going ahead would help make the building more operational, plus put some tradespeople to work.

“(Council) added $250,000 into the budget for 2021 to start a feasibility study for a new or enhanced facility. I think the majority of council felt that it would be better to consider whether or not we make investments into that building after that study had been done.”

Administration told the meeting this means the proposed 0.15 per cent tax increase for 2021 will be reduced to zero.

The 1.25 per cent increase proposed for this year that was given back as a one-time grant will still go into effect for 2021.