(file photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

MEEP Funding

Melfort receives MEEP funding for five projects

Jul 8, 2020 | 12:12 PM

The City of Melfort has received some funding for numerous projects thanks to the Municipal Economic Enhacement Program (MEEP).

In late May, the city applied to MEEP for funding for five capital projects, and on Wednesday, July 8, the province announced all five would receive it.

Mayor Rick Lang said it was a nice surprise.

“They’ve been recurring items on the capital program for a number of years,” he said. “But there was always priorities that would push them down the list.”

The amount of funding for the projects totals just over $861,000.

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Asphalt Overlay

The most expensive project on the list is for asphalt overlay on Broadway Avenue North. The total cost is said to be around the $363,000 mark and it should be completely covered by the funding from MEEP.

Lang said that work has been on the docket for the city for a number of years. There was already some road work done in that area earlier in 2020.

The overlay will run from Bemister Avenue to Macdonald Avenue as the road leads out to Highway 6 North.

Broadway Avenue North in Melfort will be repaved thanks to some MEEP funding. The paving will stretch from Bemiser Ave West, to Macdonald Avenue. (Google Maps)

Walking Trail Rehabilitation

The City of Melfort has numerous walking trail throughout the city, and the MEEP funding will allow the city to fix up those that are old or broken down.

The project is likely to cost just over $255,000 and MEEP will cover just over $230,000 of that. About $25,000 was allotted to the project in the city’s 2020 budget. Lang said in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rehabilitation of the walking trails is a nice addition.

“People are trying to get out and get more exercise,” Lang said. “And that walking trail is being used a lot.”

About three kilometres of the asphalt walking trail will be replaced.

Water Main Replacement

Water mains and water main breaks have been a major topic of conversation in Melfort for many years. The city frequently requested funding from various levels of government to replace water lines across Melfort. Now MEEP has come in to help with one area in the west part of the city.

A section of water lines that have had several issues on Groat Drive and Hutcheson Street are set to be replaced.

“That’s a residential area that’s had seven water breaks in the last four years,” Lang told northeastNOW. “So, it’s been identified as a problem area.”

The project is expected to cost around $229,000, which is likely to be completely covered by the MEEP funding.

Virtual City Hall and Digital Citizen Experience

During the COVID-19 pandemic, city halls, including Melfort’s had to close for a number of weeks, leading to more online business.

In the latest announcement, MEEP is providing just over $25,000 for the city to provide services virtually. Lang said the hope is to provide online payment options for various bills.

“City hall is open,” Lang said. “But there’s restrictions with respect to how many people can be in here at once, so that’s going to help as well.”

MEEP will likely cover the entirety of the project.

Kerry Vickar Centre Back-up Power Generator

The Kerry Vickar Centre (KVC) in Melfort is a major spot for numerous events, gatherings, and more. It opened in the fall of 2009 and is now part of the City of Melfort’s Emergency Management Strategy. The KVC is the primary reception centre in a state of emergency, meaning a back-up power source would be necessary.

Lang said whether in a pandemic or not, the KVC may have to be used at a moment’s notice.

“You never know when things are going to take a turn for the worst and we’re going to have to utilize that facility,” he said.

The cost of the generator is likely around $80,000 and the City of Melfort had already allocated over $67,000 to the project, leaving about $13,000 to be covered by MEEP funding.

Lang said tenders for all the projects are already out and are set to close at various dates in July. He said hopefully the projects come in at or under budget, otherwise the city will have to sit down and figure out how to proceed if things end up costing more.

A number of other locales in the area are also set to receive some funding from MEEP. The Town of Wakaw is getting a roof upgrade to their recreation centre, with $132,518 coming from MEEP. Meanwhile, the R.M. of Hudson Bay is getting just over $156,000 for clay caps on two roads. The Village of Middle Lake is also receiving funding, almost $35,000 for some street repaving.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6