Rocky View County’s (RVC) publication Vantage Point recently released a special edition to inform county residents about its proposed plan to construct a new $32 million municipal building, but at least one councillor has voiced their vehement disapproval of the project.
Coun. Jerry Arshinoff penned a letter to the Cochrane Eagle calling the issue of Vantage Point “remarkably slanted with such simplicity of detail that it is an affront to the intelligence of (RVC) residents.”
Arshinoff claims the issue exaggerates the state of the county’s current municipal building, which is located in Calgary, adding that the descriptions are ‘well beyond the most extreme limits of a realistic report.’
Grant Kaiser, RVC manager of communications and corporate services, said that the access, mechanical, electrical and energy efficiency deficiencies that were outlined in Vantage Point came from an independent external consulting firm that employed qualified engineers and technicians.
“Between their professional reputations and the fact that they did not (and will not) receive any other contracts for the new building, they had no reason to overstate the deficiencies they found,” said Kaiser.
Another point of contention for Arshinoff, and perhaps his main point, is the $32 million price tag attached to the new facility.
“In turn, this will tell you why RVC does not have the funds to rectify your flooding problem, fix your road or properly fund your kids’ recreational activities,” Arshinoff writes. “When your sump pump is working overtime just remember it’s a small price to pay in order for your councillor to have a picture window in his private office.”
Arshinoff contends that the county could apply to have the $32 million, which has been granted to the county by the province through its Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) program, put towards other projects, such as drainage issues, roads and recreational facilities.
Kaiser said that though it is true the county could return the money to the province and apply for MSI funding for alternative projects, the concern lies with the upcoming provincial budget.
“No one is sure if the province will be in a position to approve any new infrastructure projects in the near future,” said Kaiser. “They have committed to giving RVC a certain amount of money, but they have not committed to when that money would be available for anything new.”
Kaiser said MSI funding that is granted by the province for a specific development cannot simply be used for whatever the county chooses. If the county elected not to build a new municipal building, the $32 million in MSI funding would have to be returned to the province and a new application for another project would have to be submitted with no guarantee of its approval.
As for the present state of RVC’s current building, Vantage Point highlights several issues both county staff and residents are dealing with, including its 35-year age, which contributes to hefty maintenance costs; recurring mould and insect infestation; an electrical system ‘taxed’ by computers, photocopiers and other modem equipment; plumbing and telecommunications issues; outdated infrastructure; council chambers that were not designed for audio-visual; and the building’s overall size, which has forced the county to spend over $240,000 each year on lease space (ATCO trailers and space for Fire and Enforcement Services).
Kaiser said they are spending over $56,000 per year on short-term maintenance costs, which are not addressing any long-term solutions.
“If the new building is cancelled or significantly delayed, we would need to begin longer-term repairs and major equipment replacement on the current structure,” Kaiser said, “so you would see the annual maintenance costs rise fairly substantially.”
At present, outside consultants are completing a ‘project scope’ to inform the county what the cost of a 7,400 square metre building would be, which is expected to go before council this April.
The county has purchased land in Balzac for the new building and plan to sell the current land they occupy in Calgary, which is estimated to now be worth around $15 million.
Arshinoff invites RVC residents to check it out for themselves, visit the current municipal building and be their own judge as to whether a new one is needed.
“I will be accused of attempting to outrage residents,” Arshinoff stated. “For a change, that would be a legitimate accusation. You should be outraged.”
To submit your feelings on this matter, email [email protected].
