The City of Lloydminster has submitted two grant applications to help fund projects aimed at improving downtown and Bud Miller All Seasons Park.
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Through the federal government’s Build Communities Strong fund, the city hopes to cover portions of projects outlined in its 10-year capital plan.
“These projects would be in our 10-year capital plan moving forward,” said Ryan Hill, financial planning and analysis manager. “So, they were in the 10-year plan; however, like a lot of projects, you wait for grant funding opportunities to bring them forward and start them.”
A council motion was required to commit municipal funding for the two projects. Funding for the Bud Miller project would be split evenly between the grant and the city at $1 million each. The city would fund 60 per cent, or $3 million, of the total $5-million cost for phase two of the central business district replacement project.
“After careful consideration, we deemed that the Bud Miller enhancement project is best suited for the local impact stream and the central business district replacement program phase two is best suited for the direct delivery stream,” Hill said.
The Build Communities Strong fund launched in April and supports infrastructure through three major streams. According to administration, shovel-ready projects will be prioritized.
The Bud Miller project includes several improvements to the front plaza area.
“The Bud Miller enhancement project includes the rehabilitation of that front plaza area between the pool, the PSM Park Centre, and the playground,” Hill said. “As well as upgrading the festival site, which is just west of the amphitheatre.”
“The central business district phase two, this is two blocks of the continuation of the DARP (Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan).”
Hill also shared insight into how the city selects projects, explaining that administration first reviews various municipal departments to see which proposals meet the grant criteria before creating a shortlist.
“Then we go through the shortlist: cost, are we truly shovel-ready was a big one for this, and do you have your estimates ready,” he said. “It’s that fine balance—you can pretty much do anything, but shovel-ready is a different criteria that’s hard to meet.”
Council approved motions to apply for the grants and commit municipal funding should the applications be successful.
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