(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Humboldt MEEP funding

Humboldt receiving MEEP funding for variety of projects

Jul 28, 2020 | 10:22 AM

The City of Humboldt has revealed eight projects that have been green-lit thanks to some provincial funding.

Humboldt has been approved for $843,542 in funding through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP), and the economic stimulus package will help the projects move forward faster than originally planned.

“Some of the more significant [projects] are some paving on Saskatchewan Ave. and 101st St., and then proceeding with a multi-purpose outdoor pad, hard surface pad,” City Manager Joe Day told northeastNOW. The pad will be used as basketball and tennis courts during the summer, and as a skating surface during the winter.

Day said property owners along Saskatchewan Ave. and 101st St. contributed to a reserve when they purchased their property to be used toward paving.

“The remaining balance, we were struggling to find a way to fit it into our budget, so with MEEP funding we were certainly able to go ahead with that,” Day said.

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Council has also been struggling on how to fund the hard-surface outdoor play area as well, and Day said the MEEP funding will help in that regard. There are still a few hurdles to clear for that project, including finding a suitable location.

Day said the projects will also help put the money back into the economy.

“We targeted some projects that we felt could do exactly that, employ some local contractors in the construction phase of some of these things so we could get the money spent soon, and get that money back into the hands of workers in the area,” Day said.

Other projects approved by the city include:

• Turning lane off of Eighth Ave. at Centennial Park
• Turning lane off of Eighth Ave. at 21st St.
• Uniplex boiler upgrades
• 16th St. and Lift Station 1 Stormwater Study
• Glenn Hall Park irrigation conversion to reclaimed water
• 16th St. water main replacement program

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cam.lee@jbpg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974