Work will begin soon to relocate Canmore’s waste transfer station and material recycling facility after council approved borrowing $4.8 million to complete the project.
But concerns over the cost of flood damage in June left one councillor proposing to postpone approval of the borrowing bylaw and delay work on moving the two facilities to the Town’s wastewater treatment plant.
“I’m really concerned about making this decision right now,” said Councillor Sean Krausert. “In my mind, until we know the situation I just think it is irresponsible to approve a borrowing bylaw.”
Krausert said he supports the municipality’s waste management strategy and the project in general, but is concerned about the timing.
“I can’t make this decision without knowing the impact, financially, of the flood,” he said.
Chief Administrative Officer Lisa de Soto reminded council the decision to move the transfer station and recycling facility to the wastewater treatment plant was not just based on economics.
“Council’s decision to relocate that facility was not strictly economic, but about moving the facility away from Grotto Mountain Village,” de Soto said.
Councillors Gordie Miskow and Jim Ridley said it is important for council to keep its commitment to those residents who have health and safety concerns over living adjacent to the industrial facility.
“For the health and safety of that community, this facility has to be built,” Miskow said.
Coun. Hans Helder, who sits on the Bow Valley Waste Management Commission, also pointed out a $1.7 million provincial grant to see the transfer station built at the east end of the region is also part of the project.
“This project has been on the books so long the original grant period has expired and the commission had to extend the grant deadline,” he said.
The new transfer station and recycling facility is needed for Canmore to continue with its enhanced recycling program and installing bearproof recycling bins in all parts of the community.
Dealing with Canmore’s garbage locally is a community value Coun. Joanna McCallum said council needs to recognize with the project.
“This community has made it clear to us they want us to deal with our crap literally and not truck it out of our community and make it someone else’s problem,” she said. “The rain has not washed away our values.”
