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Photo by Curtis Galbraith.
By Curtis Galbraith
Monday, May 5, City Council

Sports dome cost, tax incentive program for large apartment developments and other highlights

May 6, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie City Council talked about several things, including the sports dome and tax changes for large apartment projects at its meeting on Monday.

More money for sports dome

Council approved an amendment to its budget to allocate a new total of $16.9 million for the new sports dome planned for north Grande Prairie in the Trader Ridge area. Administration says the cost estimates based on the recently completed request for proposals process left a shortfall in funding of around $3.1 million. The money will come from three different reserve funds. Of that $3.1 million; $1 million had previously been set aside for retrofitting old warehouses and turning them into recreational facilities.

Property tax incentive program for large apartment projects

Administration will report back to council on a property tax incentive program for large apartment building projects. Council has asked city staff to look at a 10 year, sliding scale program for apartment developments with 125 units or more. The report will be back before council at a future meeting. Council decided to do this at the request of the developers of the Trader Ridge commercial area. They say they have a proposal for 1,000 new apartments, but rising costs because of things like tariffs mean the project is not viable at this time.

New Property Tax Bylaw approved

Council approved a new Property Tax Bylaw, as it is required to do every year at this time. The city’s share of property taxes will still go up 2.28 per cent. The province has increased its education requisition for Grande Prairie from $30.1 million in 2024 to $32.8 million this year; a nine per cent increase. City Hall says this is one of the lower increases in Alberta, as many places are seeing increases of over 10 per cent.

Barrier Free Grant Fund ends

Council voted down a motion to extend the deadline for applications to its Barrier Free Grant Fund to December 31. Administration says there were no current applications, but there was one pending. The $76,761 left in the fund will be moved to the Council Strategic Initiatives Fund. There were 16 grants worth a combined $128,000 given out during the three years the program was in place.

Montrose Cultural Centre upgrades

– Council gave first reading to a borrowing bylaw for over $3.3 million, money that would be used to upgrade the Montrose Cultural Centre. Second and third reading will come at a future council meeting. This will cover Phases 2 and 3 of work being done to, as administration says in a report to council, address deficiencies from the original construction. Phase 2 will include work on electrical system, lighting and what is being the called “the building envelope.” It would cost just over $1 million and be finished this year. Phase 3 would cost over $2.2 million and see work done on the structural floor of the Teresa Sargent Hall, the art gallery building envelope and the ventilation system. It will be finished in 2027.

Land sold for more parking

– The city has sold a piece of land in front of Costco that used to be part of the Road Plan to Costco for $50,000. City Hall says Costco plans to expand its parking lot.

“Clearer definitions, application processes, and risk management standards,” in motion passed and new bylaw

Council approved a motion yesterday that it says establishes “the purpose, overall theme and intended expression of the city’s Canada Day Parade is to unite the community in a vibrant celebration of Canada Day, showcasing national pride.” This followed approval of a new Outdoor Event Permit Bylaw and changes to the Traffic and Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaws. This new bylaw, plus charges to the other two, include a long list of changes that staff say will mean “clearer definitions, application processes, and risk management standards.”

Council’s next meeting is set for Tuesday, May 20.

by Curtis Galbraith