Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Highlights from Monday’s meeting of Grande Prairie City Council

Apr 8, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie City Council discussed several things at its meeting on Monday.

Sports Dome

Council has approved amendments to area structure and outline plans to allow for a sports dome to go up in the Trader Ridge area. This covers just over four hectares of land at 103 Street and 139 Avenue.

The changes include changing it from commercial to a recreational site. These changes also include removing a small part of a collector road that would go west into Arbour Hills and another one going north at 101 Street, but adding one to extend 103 Street going north. The current zoning has residential to the west of the proposed dome site, with commercial to the south and east, and industrial to the north.

Road network changes are meant to keep commercial traffic from taking a short cut through the residential area. Walking and bike access would be kept in place. The city hopes to start construction of the dome in July.

Sponsorships for GP Stompede and BCFF

Council approved having administration negotiate a sponsorship agreement with the Grande Prairie Stompede. The deal would include the city contributing $10,000 cash to sponsor the Thursday Night Family Dance and $15,000 gift in kind. This would include services from the transit, transportation, the events & programming departments. A delegation from Stompede told council events would start with the parade though downtown on May 24. After that would come the Bust-Out BBQ on May 27. The chuckwagons would start on May 28, the rodeo on May 29. Both would run through June 1.

Council also approved having administration work on a sponsorship agreement with the Bear Creek Folk Festival. This would be for $50,000. A delegation from the festival told council that their total ask for a funding request would be $80,000 this year. The delegations says the costs for performers, food and transportation have all gone up while the caps on grants have stayed the same since the festival started in 2016. Sponsors are also cutting back because of higher costs for their businesses. This year’s festival is set for August 15 to 17 in Muskoseepi Park.

Volunteers needed for Special Olympics

Council also heard from three athletes and the games manager for the Special Olympics – Alberta Summer Games. They are set for July 11 to 13 in Grande Prairie and will attract 1,000 athletes from Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Organizers say 300 volunteers are needed for this event. A website where people can sign up to volunteer has already had a soft launch with a bigger launch coming on social media pages later this week.

New Budget for Downtown Association

Council approved the new budget for the Downtown Association. it is for a total of $302,500. Salaries and administration make up the bulk of the spending plan. There are $49,000 included for beautification and another $10,000 for special events.

Telecommunicators Week Proclamation

Deputy Mayor Chris Thiessen read out a proclamation for Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. It will run from April 13 to 19. The week is meant to recognize the contributions GP 911 communicators make in ensuring public safety while also showing compassion, understanding and professionalism.

Council’s next meeting is set for April 21.