By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Highlights from Monday’s Grande Prairie City Council meeting

Mar 23, 2021 | 5:30 AM

Other highlights from Monday’s meeting of Grande Prairie City Council for March 22, 2021:

Avondale Redevelopment Plan Approved

Council has approved an Area Redevelopment Plan for the area where the Grande Prairie Composite High School, Leisure Centre, and Peace Wapiti Academy currently sit.

Short-term plans would call for the demolition of the current Comp. once the new one opens, along with the pool part of the Leisure Centre. Replacement sports fields would go on the old Comp. site and 112 Avenue would be re-aligned.

The medium-term concept would see the two indoor soccer pitches demolished and a new recreation facility and sports fields installed.

Longer-term, one estimated at 30 to 50 years, would see the current Peace Wapiti Academy demolished and commercial and multi-family development in the northeast corner. That final stage could also see 105 Street connected to 116 Avenue.

Councillors say all of this is conceptual right now and there are other checkpoints along the way where things could change.

Concerns from the Veterans Memorial Gardens

Representatives with the Veterans Memorial Gardens say it is still being used as a place for people to drink and use drugs.

There have been some incidents, one where a fence was pushed in and someone was squatting nearby.

Council approved a motion made by Councillor Chris Thiessen to have the issue of community safety and homelessness in the Hillside area to the appropriate standing committee.

Christmas in July Request

A request to have July 24 declared make-up Christmas Day in Grande Prairie has been referred to the Mayor’s office.

Organizers want to host a plethora of activities at Macklin Field, plus a vehicle parade, as a way to make up for not being able to have such events at Christmas time. There would also be a city-wide scavenger hunt.

This would also serve as a fundraiser for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Grande Prairie.

Digital Training Program Funding

City Council has approved policy changes and $100,000 in funding for a digital training program.

This would help local businesses train existing employees in several areas and is meant to support other programs.

Businesses could apply for funding to cover 25 per cent of the cost of a program that charges more than $300 per person, up to a maximum of $2,500. It would cover 50 per cent of the cost for training that charges less than $300 per person up to a maximum of $1,250.

There is still $350,000 of unallocated funding in City Hall’s Economic Recovery fund budget.

Green Shirt Day Proclamation

Mayor Jackie Clayton says she will get a proclamation out marking April 7 as Green Shirt Day in Grande Prairie.

The day is held every year to raise awareness of organ donation. It is held in honour of Logan Boulet, one the of the Humboldt Broncos who died in the tragic 2018 bus crash.

Boulet’s organs helped six other people following his passing. He had been inspired to become an organ donor by a former coach, who also saved six lives after he died, and his organs were donated.

Bear Creek Folk Festival Funding

Council has approved allowing the Bear Creek Folk Festival Large-Scale Tourism Grant over for another year.

The grant was originally given for the fifth edition that was to take place last year and is now planned for 2022.