County of Wetaskiwin council approved a contract extension for a campground operator during their Oct. 4 regular meeting.
Battle Lake
Director of Leisure and Community Services Geoff Lynch provided councilors with a summary of the past season at Battle Lake Campground with new contractor Michael Shopa in charge.
“At the April 3, 2018 Council General meeting Council approved the request to award the Battle Lake Park Contract to Micheal Shopa for a one year term effective May 1st, 2018 to May 31st, 2019 with the option of a three (3) year extension at an annual rate of $19,500.
“Micheal Shopa has served as the Battle Lake Park Attendant since May of 2018 and Administration has been very pleased with his work. The Battle Lake Attendant Contract expires May 31, 2019. Micheal Shopa expressed interest in extending the contract for 3 years until December 31, 2022. Administration sees that the extension of Micheal Shopa’s contract would greatly benefit the County of Wetaskwin parks operations.”
During discussion, Lynch noted the summer went very well at Battle Lake and his department recommended extending Shopa’s contract. “Administration is proposing that the annual contract be extended with the annual contract amount of $19,500 with an hourly rate for other work or extension of contract of $25.” Councilors approved extending Shopa’s contract.
Twin Lakes
Lynch also presented the contract extension for the Twin Lakes campground, also being managed by Shopa. “Micheal Shopa has served as the Twin Lakes Park Attendant since May of 2018 and Administration has been very pleased with his work. The Twin Lakes Attendant Contract expires October 31, 2018. Micheal Shopa expressed interest in extending the contract for 3 years to December 31, 2021. Administration sees that the extension of Micheal Shopa’s contract would greatly benefit the County of Wetaskwin parks operations.”
Lynch recommended, “Administration is proposing that the annual contract be extended with the annual contract amount $24,000 with an hourly rate for other work or extension of contract of $25.” Councilors unanimously approved it.
Zone 1 (Wetaskiwin) funding
Councilors approved two recommendations for recreation funding from Zone 1, which is the Wetaskiwin area. “The Zone 1 Recreation Committee Members Councilors met on September 4th and 11th, 2018 to review the submitted funding requests,” stated Lynch in his report.
“The Committee meets approximately two times per year; this is determined by the number of requests received. There are two applications for Recreation Zone 1 and the applications are for Programs and Events.
The requests included the WCHS Sabres football team ($4,000 request) with a recommendation to grant $2,000, and the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association ($2,500 request) with a recommendation to grant $2,500. Councilors approved both recommendations.
Zone 5 (Millet) funding
One recreational grant application was reviewed from the Millet zone. The Millet & District Historical Society is planning on some electrical upgrades ($1,712 request) with a recommendation to grant $1,000.
“The Zone 5 Recreation Committee Members Councilors Josh Bishop and Terry Van de Kraats (with Councilor Woitt absent) met on September 4th, 2018 to review the submitted funding request. The Committee meets approximately two times per year; this is determined by the number of requests received. There is only one application for Recreation Zone 5 and the application is for Facility Operations.”
Councilors approved the recommendation.
Outdoor hockey game
Mark the day, Dec. 1, on your calendar for the big outdoor hockey game at the awesome Falun rink: The NAIT Ooks women’s team will take on the Grant McEwen Griffons women’s team.
In his report to council, “Mr. Neil Brown, event coordinator for the Pigeon Lake Athletic Cultural Educational (PLACE) Society has advised administration that they wish to host an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference outdoor game, between the NAIT Ooks and Grant MacEwan Griffins women’s hockey team December 1st, 2018 at the Falun Skating Rink and utilize the Falun Community Hall to hold a dinner, dance and live auction.
“Mr. Brown also advises that PLACE has purchased and erected the boards around the outdoor ice arena from the Calgary Saddledome. Mr. Brown stated they are expecting 400-500 spectators and VIP guests to attend.”
Councilors approved the request with the following stipulations: that the County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 be named as additional insured, obtaining written approval from the Wetaskiwin Regional School Board to host the ACAC outdoor game and that the County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 will provide assistance with traffic flow during the ACAC outdoor game.