Shellbrook www.shellbrookchronicle.com VOLUME 101
Chronicle
The Voice Of The Parkland Since 1912 SHELLBROOK, SASKATCHEWAN
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
PMR #40007604 No. 11
Silvertips 2011-12 BLHL Champions
The 2011-12 Beaver Lakes Hockey League champion Shellbrook Silvertips. Pictured here are Trainer Terry Segberg, Josh Sommerfeld, Steven Porter, Brett Mason, Braden Lande, Derek Olson, Cody Sommerfeld, Matt Sommerfeld, John Martin, Brendon Canaday, Jason McComas, Coach Rob Olsen and Manager Darrel Martin. Front, Dwayne Nyberg, Devin Waterhouse, Marshall Harris, Jory Segberg, Matt Mortensen, Devin Dicus, Nic Martin, Mitch Wourms and Landon McComas. Story on page 9
Lagoon project completed under budget The largest infrastructure project in the history of the Town of Shellbrook came in just under budget after all of the bills were submitted and cheques were sent out. The sewage lagoon project, funded in three equal parts by the municipal, provincial and federal governments was completed $4,500 under budget. According to Town Administrator Tara Kerber, there were some occurrences along the way that had the Town believing that the project would exceed the budgeted $7.7 million but through some minor changes and once accurate pricing was established for some of the materials they were pleasantly surprised. “(At times) we thought we were going to be over, well over,” said Kerber. She said that with early estimates, the picture looked much more bleak due to the budgeted figures presented by the projects engineer, Stantec Many of the figures for materials were inflated to accommodate price increases and other overages. In the end, many of the materials came in at less than the budgeted figure which made up for any oversights or cost over-
runs in other areas. “The system that is in place is extremely complex and most of the components aren’t made in Saskatchewan,” said Kerber, noting that much of the technical equipment that is part of the town’s new sewage treatment system came out of Winnipeg.
The new lagoon began basic operation in October and is almost being used to its full capabilities however some programing work is still required for the equipment to operate without supervision. The federal and provincial government announced funding for the project in June of 2009 as a part of the Building
Canada grant program. The town received $5.2 million in grant funding to construct the lagoon with a deadline which was extended to October 31, 2011. To fund the project, the Town obtained a $3 million low interest loan from CMHC’s Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP).
Town receives extra $46,323 in revenue sharing The Town of Shellbrook received a bump in its municipal operating grant from the provincial government this year. This year the town will receive $288,614 in municipal operating grant up from $242,291 making for an increase of $46,323. The increase is based on population growth in the town over the past four years. The 2011 Census, released early this year showed 16.5 per cent growth within the Town from 1,230 in 2006 to 1,433 in 2011. According to Town Administrator Tara Kerber, the formula the rate is based on likely remained the same, the Town just
received funding for 203 more residents. The provincial government only provided the amount that would be given for the revenue sharing grant and not the rate per capita. “We are grateful to the provincial government for increasing our share. Every dollar helps,” said Kerber. This combined with properties going onto the tax rolls following their Three Year Tax Holiday, the Town will have a little more revenue at its disposal. However, how that revenue will be spent remains to be seen as the Town’s budget committee is currently working on the 2012 budget. With a number of infrastructure needs
from paving to sewer line replacements stacking up, these new funds coming on stream will likely be earmarked for one project or another rather quickly. Kerber expects that the budget will be presented at the March 9 regular meeting of council or at a special meeting at a date yet to be determined. Other area communities that should see a rise in funding due to population increases include Blaine Lake, Debden and Holbein. Blaine Lake saw an 8.1 per cent increase from 474 to 510 while the Village of Debden grew 2.9 per cent from 348 to 358. The Organized Hamlet of Holbein grew 6 per cent from 84 to 89.