Vol. 22 No. 35 Morinville-Gibbons, Alberta July 15, 2020

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O V E R 1 0 , 0 0 0 C I R C U L A T I O N R E A C H I N G :Morinvi l le , Legal , Bon Accord, Gibbons,

Edmonton Garr ison, & the res idents of SturgeonCounty rural , hamlets & subdiv is ions .

Emilie Hanlon (Left) and Aimee Lutz were on one of the Town of Morinville PublicWorks crews trimming trees July 9. “It’s nice to work outside,” said Lutz.

A group of seniors enjoy playing Mah Jong at the Morinville Rondez-Vous Centre July 9. “I like to get out and do things,” saidCarol Kaup. “We’ve been open three weeks now.” In the photo are Nancy Lalonde (L-R), JoAnne Maurier, Carol Kaup, JudyCarver and Doreen Bodinsky.

With COVID-19 highlighting the impor-tance of reliable broadband connectivity tomeet the needs of residents to work, learn,access health care services, conduct businessand communicate with family and friends vir-tually, Sturgeon County Council unanimouslysupported taking steps to further their Broad-band Strategy.

At the June 30 regular Council meeting theydirected Administration to initiate a speed testprogram plus resident and business surveys inAugust and September to determine broadbandcapacity in Sturgeon County. Administration isalso to continue discussions with Internet Ser-vice Providers (ISPs) to build relationships,gather information on infrastructure in theregion and identify opportunities and barriersfor the private sector.

Third on the strategy was Council’s direc-tion to establish service standards respectingbroadband speed in the County along withengineering standards for adding fibre infra-structure to public and private sector infra-structure development projects at the time ofnew construction taking place.

The information from these directives isscheduled to come back to Council at the Sept.22 meeting.

“We need to focus here first,” stated Coun.Patrick Tighe. Council approved $69,000 to befunded from the Corporate Support Reserve toadvance these efforts to advance the County’sbroadband strategy.

During the presentation to council RobSchneider, Manager Information Services stat-ed “good broadband is essential” as it impactsdaily activities. He noted 5G technology “isnot viable in rural landscapes” and pointed out“almost all of the County is well below the newCanadian standards of 50Mb/second” with thebest case on the most common 4G LTE comingin at 30 Mb/sec. The 2018 study of speedsparnered with the Town of Morinville found anaverage download speed of 10.3 Mb/sec which

is well below the CRTC standard and lowerthan the Alberta average of 13.5 Mb/sec,Schneider noted.

He concluded that currently the County’sbroadband strategy is “just a strategy” as thereis no dedicated funding to proceed. “Fibre tothe home and business is the end-goal (almostlimitless bandwidth potential).”

In addition administration is tracking othertechnologies. Schneider said Low Earth Orbit(LEO) satellites are “promising but new. Wewill keep an eye on it.”

COVID-19 makes need for reliablebroadband clear to County council

A colorful rock border is beingcreated for the front of the Mor-inville Clinic building, and Alber-ta Health Services (AHS) DayProgram Leader Loralee Elliottinvited members of the public toparticipate in this cheerful project.

“We’re working on making the

front look really, really nice,” shesaid. “I’d like it to go all around.”

One of her programs for clientsis painting rocks with cheerful orcaring messages. The rocks will beplaced on landscaping fabricbetween the sidewalk and the frontof the building. At present weeds

grow there.During this time of

the COVID-19 pan-demic Elliott doesonline interventionsand other crafts withclients. For the rockpainting she drops offthe paint, rocks andpatterns on clientporches and picksthem up when theprojects are finished.She felt other mem-bers of the communitywould like to partici-pate in the rock paint-ing project because somany people go to theclinic for services.

“I thought it wouldcheer everybody up,”she said. “I’ll weedand put more fabricdown until it’s alldone.”

Morinville Clinic Day Program leaderLoralee Elliott shows the first threepainted rocks done by program clientsfor a building beautification project.

Rock painting is a beautificationproject during pandemic

ChloeMason (Left)andPrimroseHepplestoncollectearthwormsalong theirstreet inMorinvilleJuly 8. Itrainedovernightand themorningwas drizzly,so theworms wereout of theground andstretchedout in thegutters.“We’ll putthem in thecompost,”Primrosesaid. “Andmaybe feed some to the chickens. I have six chickens.”

A nice worm day out

Page A2, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2020

IInn LLoovviinngg MMeemmoorryy ooffLLoouu KKrraannkkoowwsskkyy

5 years have passed since that sad dayWhen the one we loved was called awaySunshine passes, shadows fallLove’s remembrance outlasts allThree little words, forget me notDon’t seem much, but mean a lotJust a memory fond and true,To show, dear father, we think of you

Loving and missing you always,

The Family

The Sturgeon River Agricultural Society con-tinues to serve Gibbons and area through itsmarkets and grants.

Secretary Debbie Turner said the Societyevents include the Gibbons Farmers Marketover the summer and a Christmas market at theend of November.

“Our Ag Society is lacking members andinvolvement,” Turner said. “For the past fewyears we have been operating more as a serviceorganization. Other thanthe market, we havebeen supporting localorganizations and thetown by providing grantdollars or financial sup-port.”

The Ag Society grantfrom the provincial gov-ernment is $17,500.Society members try toensure both those dollarsand the society remainin the community.

The summer marketusually begins aroundmid June, and withPhase 2 of Alberta’s eco-nomic re-openingalready in effect it wasable to open this year onJune 24. Other thanCOVID-19 signage, asanitization station and

no coffee station or chairs for visiting the mar-ket remained the same. It is in the Gibbons curl-ing rink, so the vendors and shoppers have plen-ty of room to follow distancing rules.

Turner said the Ag Society’s finances are “ingood shape.” The early release of provincialannual grant made no difference.

“We don’t operate any facilities where costswere being incurred without the necessary rev-enues to pay those bills,” she explained.

WOW... Pride of ownership shows inthis house!! A beautiful home & your veryown PRIVATE OASIS, with just under 20ACRES of land to enjoy with your familyin the summer months. This homefeatures GRANITE THROUGHOUT,large MASTER BEDROOM leading to itsown BALCONY, a DOUBLE ATTACHEDgarage, FULLY FINISHED basementELEVATOR, BUILT IN APPLIANCES,gorgeous STONE fireplace, 4bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, water filtrationsystem, large OVER SIZED DECK, firepit & so much more. This home reallyneeds to be seen to be appreciated!Renovations from a few years backinclude a newer kitchen, bathrooms, & a

new roof. Tons of RV Parking, room to build an additional shop or two,and so much more! This beautiful home is also set up for assistedliving. ***EQUIPPED FOR ASSISTED LIVING***Diana Jammaz, REMAX Select#102, 12650 - 151 Ave, EDMONTON, AB(C) 780-938-0476 • (O) 780-457-3777Email: Homes@dianarealty.caWeb: dianarealty.ca

Sturgeon River Ag Society tries to keepdollars in the Gibbons community

Aubrey Dyke (Left) and Kim Gates visit in the shade of the gazeo near theMorinville Fish and Game Association pond July 9. “This is good weather,” saidDyke. “We can bike a little and sit in the breeze.”“It’s nice to get out of the lodge and go for a cruise on my scooter,” added Gates.

On July 8 at 4:42 p.m., Morinville RCMPresponded to a two vehicle collision on High-way 28 near Range Road 241. Despite effortson scene to provide first aid, the collisionresulted in one fatality.

A car travelling eastbound on Highway 28collided head-on with a semi truck travellingwestbound. The 50-year-old male driver fromFort McMurray, and lone occupant of the car,

was determined to be deceased on scene.Highway 28 traffic was rerouted while Mor-

inville RCMP completed a scene examinationand the highway was cleared. At approximately8:00 p.m., the highway re-opened for travel.

The investigation into the collision remainsongoing by the RCMP.

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Head-on with semi claims car driver

The Morinville Flooring Centre had a bit ofan increase in business during the past fourmonths.

“It got busier,” said owner Anthony Thomp-son. “Everyone stayed at home and wanted todo renovations.”

To comply with requirements mandated bythe COVID-19 pandemic, in the store they putup protective glass, increased sanitizing,offered curbside pickup and limited customersto one person at a time in the show room. Thatdid not impact operations much.

“We don’t get very much traffic in the store,”Thompson said. “A lot of our sales are online.”

Flooring sales strongduring pandemic

Jake Duquette grins as he rolls downthe sidewalk in Morinville on his newHoverboard July 9. “I really like it,” hesaid. “It makes a cool noise.” Hereceived the Hoverboard for a birthdaypresent July 7. Its delivery had beendelayed, so it arrived two days after hisbirthday.

THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Page A3

10 ACRES WITH SHOPAND ALL UTILITIES

Beautiful 10 ac mature yardsite with40'x30' metal clad shop withconcrete floor, older hip roof barn

with new metal roof & several other buildings. Power, gas, a well &septic all ready for you to build your dream home or bring in amobile home. Located just 12 miles NW of Thorhild. Greatweekend getaway or future home. The adjoining 150 ac is also forsale if a larger property is wanted. $124,900. Call Heather to view.

65 ACRES WITH HOMEAND SHOP NEAR NAMAO

Pride of ownershipthroughout this gorgeous 65ac. Custom built 2000 sq ft4 bdrm, 3 bath bungalow.Large kitchen with plenty ofcabinets, pantry, & sunkenFR with a unique vaulted

ceiling. Other features include jacuzzi tub in main bath, 3 pceensuite & w/i closet in MB, hardwood flooring, formal DR & LR,main floor laundry with sink & sewing/folding counter. Bsmt justneeds flooring & ceiling in rec room. 24'x16' att'd heated garage,72'x48' quonset & 32'x24' heated det'd garage/shop. Beautifullandscaping with creek, garden, exposed aggregate stairs &deck. The rest of the land is presently in grain. Just min fromEdmonton near Namao, less than 1/2 mile to pavement.$1,150,000. Call Glenn to view.

150 ACRES OF GRAIN LAND IN THORHILD

Great opportunity here to increaseyour grain land holdings or build

your dream home and start your own farm. 150 acres of goodproductive soil. Approximately 100 acres open grain land andthe remainder is natural bush areas. Small dugout on property.Power runs along the road in front of most of this quarter. Landcould be subdivided again. Located about 12 miles NW ofThorhild. Adjoining 10 acre yardsite with shop and utilities isalso for sale. $335,000. Call Heather for more info.

LAC LA NONNE ACREAGE Nicely upgraded 1440 sq ft 3 bdrm, 2bath home with 28'x24' heatedgarage on 3.11 ac, right on pavement.Upgrades since 2016 include gas h/wtank, all new plumbing lines, flooring,

kitchen cabinets, counter tops & backsplash, new range hood &paint. A professional reverse osmosis water system was installedfor the whole water system just a few years ago as well. Not toolong before that new vinyl siding & metal roof were installed alongwith some new windows, bath renovations, interior doors andpressure treated front and back decks. Gorgeous landscaping withfire pit area, large mature trees and perennials beds. There is afenced in dog run with a large shade tree in it and also a partiallyfenced pasture area for a couple horses, cows or goats. Fence justneeds wire on one side to complete. Commuting distance to thecity yet close to the lake for swimming & boating. $219,900. CallHeather to view.

LAND OF ALL SIZES• 135’x42’ serviced mobile home lot in Thorhild - $13,900• 10,000 sq ft commercial lot in Legal - $49,900• 160 Ac grainland between Morinville & St Albert - $799,900.

Call Heather or Glenn for more info on any of these

HORSE SET UP WITHWALKOUT BUNGALOW

This one will WOW you!Fantastic 61 acre horse set upwith gorgeous walkout

bungalow on pavement, just off hwy 28, a few minutes north ofEdmonton. 2327 sq ft air conditioned home, south facing backyardwith million dollar view of the valley & Edmonton lights from the 3seasons sunroom. Large LR with massive stonefaced fireplace,adjoining kitchen has newer quartz countertops, built in appliances& plenty of cabinets & counterspace. Massive MB with gorgeousensuite with clawfoot tub, m/f laundry & den complete this level.Walkout basement has 3 more bdrms, FR & plenty of storage.80'x100' indoor riding arena with att'd 3 stall barn, 8 corrals, & landthat could be pasture or hay. 42'x27' triple att’d garage with in floorheating plus a 56'x30' shop complete this property. $1,785,000.Call Glenn to view.

AFFORDABLE ACREAGE LIVING BY BRUDERHEIM

Very cute 2 bdrm bungalowon a very pretty 4.99 ac justa couple minutes NE ofBruderheim. The bungalowwas built in 1951 & had an

addition added in the 1960s. Features a large kitchen with solidwood cabinets, good sized LR, 2 bedrooms, 4 pce bath, storageroom & large back porch. Bsmt under the addition houses theHWT & furnace & has storage space. The exterior has beenupdated over the years with vinyl siding & metal roof. There is agreat 62'x30' barn with power, concrete floor & feed storage areaattached. Would make a great cow, sheep, or goat barn. Or raisea few horses or chickens. There is an older 24'x12' singledetached garage which could house a vehicle or all your yardequipment. The property has city water & new 2500 gallon septicholding tank that is set up to add a mound if wanted. Superweekend getaway, build a new home, or live in this house andhave a small hobby farm and grow your own food. Lots ofpotential here. $170,000 Call Heather for more info.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITYIN THORHILD

Triplex with two 2 bedroomsuites & one 3 bedroom site. Itsits on 100' x 130' lot with twodouble det’d garages. Only 20min to Redwater which has NWR& many other industries in the

Heartland Industrial Area. Seller was getting around $2500 amonth rent. $158,800. Call Heather to view.

HALF MILE OF LAKEFRONT ON HALF MOON LAKE

A rare opportunity for a oneof a kind property! A half

mile of lakefront on south side of Half Moon Lake, only a halfhour north of Edmonton. Swimming, boating, fishing, hunting,snowmobiling, horseback riding right on your doorstep. 78.63acs is bordered on north side by lake & on south side by crownland. Property is mostly treed with lots of cleared trailsthroughout. 1422 sq ft home was built in 2009 & could be usedas weekend getaway or year round home. There is one bdrm onmain floor & second bdrm on upper floor. There is a fullunfinished bsmt that could easily be developed if more space isneeded. There is an insulated 50'x30' shop & 200'x80' indoorriding arena with 40'x20' attached barn & 60'x20' covered leanto. Property is all set up on solar with a back up generator.$1,390,000. Call Heather for more info.

HOUSE AND SHOP IN THORHILD Well maintained original owner, 3+1bedroom, 1024 sq ft bungalow andshop on 130'x100' lot in Thorhild.

Basement has just been reno’d and has a second kitchen, familyroom, bedroom, laundry area and 3 pce bath. The 43'x26' metalclad shop is heated with both a gas furnace and wood stove.Two 10'x10' doors and high ceilings offer room to park an RV ortruck. The yard features a built in brick bbq, back deck, hugegarden area, RV hookup for your guests, lots of parking andgrass. A great property with room for everything. Rent out bsmtfor extra income. $168,500. Call Heather to view.

10,000 SQ FT COMMERCIALLOT IN LEGAL

Prime 100'x100' commercial lotin great area right on main street

in Legal. Perfect opportunity here to build your own building foryour business or build an office building to rent out or apply torezone for multi family residential. Use your imagination! Legal is agreat community just 20 min north of St Albert with lots ofopportunity for your business venture. $49,900 plus gst CallHeather for details.

AFFORDABLE HOUSE IN THORHILDGood solid 2 bedroom home with windows,furnace, HWT, metal roof, electrical and stuccoall replaced in about 2003 to 2006. There isoriginal hardwood flooring in the living room

and bedrooms. A little paint and refinishing of the hardwood will makethis a great home. Full unfinished basement offers lots of storagespace. There is storage shed which could be a small detached garageand lots of room for a garden, park an RV or build a new garage. Goodlocation in the Hamlet of Thorhild, close to shopping, for this veryaffordable home. Only $69,900. Call Heather to view.

SOLD

NEW

IRP ApprovedAgent

Russ Foisy earned the Leadership and Dedi-cation Award for Sr. Boys basketball at Mor-inville Community High School (MCHS) thisyear. A 2020 graduate, he played on the schoolbasketball teams for five years.

“It’s like an art form,” Foisy said. “No mat-ter your athletic capability, if you put in thehard work, you can become a good player. I liketo play whenever I can. You have to really workat staying in shape.”

He credits coach Cliff Rowein with givinghim the opportunity and providing the incentiveto become a good player.

“He consistently pushed me to become betterand coached me to become better,” said Foisy.“He gave me a chance in grade 10, and I got alot better.”

Foisy also appreciates the support hereceived from his parents, Debbie and Cody.“My parents have always pushed me; given methe opportunity to play ball,” he said. “I appre-ciate that a lot.”

Foisy plays shooting guard and sometimespoint guard. He was looking forward to com-peting in the school provincial championshipsin southern Alberta this spring, but they werecancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As soon as COVID hit my basketballprovincials were cancelled,” he said. “I reallywould have liked to experience that.”

While basketball is his favorite sport, it’s nothis only one. He played volleyball in grades sixto nine, competed on the school track teams injavelin and other throwing events, and plays alittle golf.

“I like to bike, play video games and hang

out with friends,” he said. He works at theCardiff Golf Course.

The pandemic also changed his plans for col-lege. He was registered to attend the SouthernAlberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in thefall, but his program was deferred to January2021. He is taking aircraft maintenance engi-

neering which is no longer taught in Edmonton.Once he gets his maintenance license, he hopesto take his pilot’s license so he can fix and flyplanes. While he has always liked the idea ofworking on big planes, he is also interested inhelicopters and medium sized planes and hasnot yet chosen a particular size to focus on.

Leadership and Dedication Award winner Russ Foisy is a team representativeaccepting the Eastglen Tournament trophy the Morinville Community High Shool(MCHS) Wolves Sr. Boys basketball team won Feb. 8. In the photo are assistantcoach Steven Jones, Ethan Ducharme, Jared Vokurka, Jacob Christensen, RussFoisy and head coach Cliff Rowien. --photo by Debbie Foisy

Foisy wins MCHS Leadership and Dedication Award

There was another new COVID-19 casereported in this area last week, bringing thenumber of active cases up to two.

According to provincial figures, as of July10 Sturgeon County west and its smaller urbancenters reported two active cases of COVID-19. This region previously reported sevencases, now recovered. There were no reportedcases in Sturgeon County east.

The Town of Morinville had three reportedcases, all of which are now recovered.

Another new casein Sturgeon west

Page A4, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Police are commending landowners near the scene of a colli-sion for action that lead to the apprehension of a man who fledthe scene on foot almost a full day earlier.

On July 4th Morinville RCMP responded to a two vehicle col-lision at the intersection of Range Road 265 and Township Road552 in Sturgeon County. The male driver of a Dodge Pickupfailed to yield at the intersection causing a collision with an SUV.Two female occupants of the SUV suffered minorinjuries and were transported by EMS to hospital fortreatment. The male driver fled on foot leaving thescene without concern for the welfare of the occu-

pants of the SUV. The RCMP Police Dog Service (PDS) attend-ed but unfortunately lost the track.

Alert landowners almost 24 hours later spotted the same sus-pect in a nearby field and alerted police. The landowners on theirown initiative set up containment until police arrived. TheRCMP Police Dog Service arrived again and was able to locatedthe suspect hiding in a creek.

The man from Edmonton was arrested and is facing chargesof Leaving the Scene of a Collision under the Criminal Code,Dangerous Driving under the Criminal Code, Drive while Pro-hibited, Breaching a Release Order for being behind the wheel ofa motor vehicle, along with three Traffic Safety Act charges.

The Morinville RCMP would like to thank the general publicfor their assistance in the apprehension of the suspect.

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Hit and run driver was really up the creek

Daniel Clarke enjoys woodworking and his yardhas many wooden figures, little animals and birdhouses as well as a five car wooden train on top of thefence at his Morinville home.

“Little ones like to stop and look at the plywoodfigures,” he said. He welcomes the neighborhoodkids who stand on the sidewalk to look at his cre-ations. Last winter, after vandals knocked the trainoff the fence and he took it inside to rebuild, itsabsence was quickly noticed.

“One little gaffer came by and said, ‘No train, Mis-ter.’ I told him they’d be back,” said Clarke.

He has worked with wood for decades, but hasmade more items since retiring about 15 years agoafter 36 years with CN Rail. He built the train then.

“My daughter, Maryann Pelletier, gave me thecaboose,” Clarke said. “I built the other cars.” He didnot use a pattern, just created them himself.

“I like puttering,” he said. “I putter all the time.”One time a neighbor brought over a five inch fire-

place and asked him to build a log cabin for it. Hebuilt a sturdy floor, used half inch dowel for the logsand made miniature wooden shingles for the roof.

“It took me quite a while because I had to do it intwo levels,” he said. “If something’s worth doing, it’sworth doing to the best of your ability. It was fun.”

Daniel Clarke designed and built this train to go with the caboose his daughter gave him when he retired.It stays on the fence by his home inMorinville for all the neighborhood kids toenjoy.

Clarke has enjoyedworking on woodprojects for decades

• Crushed • Pitrun • Screened Sand • Washed Rock • Concrete

Office: 780-398-3568 PO Box 690Gravel: 780-307-4654 Thorhild, ABConcrete: 780-679-7722 T0A 3J0

info@ddcsandandgravel.caVisit us at: ddcsandandgravel.ca

Daniel Clarke designed and custom builtthis little log cabin for a neighbor inMorinville.

THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Page A5

Hunters Print & Copy in Morinville wasdeemed an essential service by the provincialgovernment, so it remained open while manyother businesses were ordered closed in midMarch because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owners Steve and Denise Hunter had toquickly modify the store and operations tocomply with provincial regulations relating tothe pandemic. They installed face guards on allcounters from material on hand, put out handsanitizers everywhere and cleaned the wholestore right down to shampooing the carpets.

As well, they made a COVID Policy book,put up COVID signage and blocked all accessto behind the counters so only staff can gobehind them. It is a safety measure for staff.

Despite those measures, the range of servic-es to customers did not change.

Hunters said they gave the same great serv-ice as they try to give all the time. Their Mis-sion Statement is to ‘Do more than is evenexpected’ and they are still trying to do thiswith everyone. They now carry a hugeselection of cloth masks, disposable masks,hand sanitizers and counter shields to sell.They also make in-store customer floor decalsand signage for COVID.

Hunters’ store continued to stay open its reg-ular hours. The federal government supportprograms were helpful, and no staff lost wagesor hours.

During operations everyone practises all the

safety standards above and beyond the regula-tions because if a COVID-19 outbreakoccurred, the store would have to close. As anadditional precaution Hunters respectfully askcustomers not to enter their store if they are ill,have travelled outside of Canada within thepast 14 days or have been exposed to someonewith COVID-19 symptoms.

While Steve and Denise hope the pandemicwill not have a lasting detrimental effect ontheir business, they are open to permanentlyadopting some of the changes if they better thebusiness. Hunters Copy & Print is a full printshop, sign and decal shop and stationery storewith all brands of ink and toner, and it partici-pates in the Morinville Coupon Book. Cus-tomers can use the online shopping cart, orplace orders by email or phone. Pick-ups can

be in-store or curbside. Steve and Denise thank everyone for sup-

porting them through the early months of thepandemic and for continued support. They

invite customers into their store to see all thenew products brought in to help pass the timeat home during COVID-19. Items includeworkbooks, crafts and a lot of fun things.

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• Case 5X16 TB plow • 6 D harrows • 14’ & 16’ Co-op field cult• slide in hopper, fert tank w hyd auger • 52’ Vertec sprayer w plastic tank • grain augers(Brandt 8X47 pto)(WF 7X31 w Honda 8hp) • Bruns 400 bu grain wagon w hyd auger • Hart4 roll fan mill • 10ft JD hyd disc w 16” discs • 4 W Vicon rake

• 6 W Argo w tracks • Honda Four Traxquad • 12’ Springbok w 20hp Johnson, trailer • 12’ alum boat • playground tube & straightslides • LKS 250amp welder • JD 314 ride mower, 44” rototiller • FK lawn sweep • farm tools& misc

• Nice 18’ Norberts stock trailer w BH, 2 axels • 18’ oasisflat deck trailer w BH • 20 sucker rod • 6 rnd bale feeders • mole traps • MF 4 cyl motor • eltcroller mill • NH 331 manure spreader

• The farm has been sold this spring. The new owners are & continue tobe gracious & cooperative with the difficulties we are experiencing. This excellent/qualitystyle equipment must be & should be sold back into the agricultural system. We areorganizing & preparing the Live Auction with social distancing in mind. Please bring yourpersonal health equipment & requirements.

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PLEASE NOTE:

Hunters Print quickly adjusted to new regulations during pandemic

The Morinville Splash Park at the RayMcDonald Sports Center grounds has opened.The annual summer feature’s opening wasdelayed this year due to the COVID-19 pan-demic.

The Splash Park will now be open dailyfrom 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting,states the town. However, washrooms willremain closed.

Protocols will be posted regarding COVID-19 safety.

Splash park open

Page A6, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2020

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If you are a Morinville taxpayer and feeling prettygood about the town saving $2 million on the demo-lition of the old Ray McDonald arena by selling theliability to a private business, you may want to take adeep breath.

Back when the town was finalizing plans for thenew recreation centre (before deciding to rename itthe Morinville Leisure Centre) and the cost of theproject was over $22 million and rising, it was notedthat no allowance had been made for the fate of theold arena. Numbers were bandied about at council inthe $400,000 range to demolish the three walls androof of the arena (with the fourth wall remaining as ashared wall with the curling rink that was still goingto operate).

Over time these verbal figures rose for demolition... it could be as much as $1 million. Finally the 2019audited financial statement for the town contained anote that included: “If the Town chooses to demol-ish the old arena, it will incur deconstruction /demolition costs estimated between $1,500,000 -$2,000,000. Due to the uncertainty regarding the oldarena site, a contingent liability has not been record-ed as of year-end.” There was no source stated for thecost estimate in the audited financial statement note.

Last month council approved the sale of the oldarena for $200,000 to be paid over 5 years. “TheTown had originally expected to demolish the arenawhile retaining the curling rink structure and recon-figuring the existing ice plant. There was identifieddemolition funding for the arena portion of the facili-ty earmarked at $2 million, with additional reconfig-uration costs estimated at $100,000,” stated theadministration report to council. The town alsoincluded the curling rink in the $200,000 sale. Thiswas only a few months after the audit identified thedemolition cost at $1.5 to $2 million, so what calami-ty had pushed the cost up to the highest figure in theaudit and required the incentive of including the curl-ing rink in a deal?

Search as you may, there’s nothing to be found onthe town website regarding even a rough estimatefrom a demolition company or a report from a con-sultant. But the $2 million figure looks like a hugesaving for taxpayers by unloading the town liabilityonto a private company, so it must have come fromsomewhere.

“The $2 million figure was an estimate provided byadministration. There was no quote provided orsought, and no consultant engaged specifically to pro-vide a detailed cost for the demolition. Council’sdecision to proceed is based on the fact and that ratherthan spend any money on the project it is preferableto see the facility transferred to a new owner and con-tinue to generate economic activity and provide recre-ational opportunities to residents and the region,”stated Mayor Barry Turner when asked last weekabout the absence of documentation.

“The group intends to operate the facility by offer-ing ice times to the region for hockey training pro-grams, hockey games, tournaments, etc. The group’sbusiness model is not expected to compete with theMorinville Leisure Center Landrex Arena. The groupexpects the Curling rink to continue (to) operate as ithas in the past by entering into a new 5-year agree-ment where the Town will no longer be involved,”states the report to council.

The new owners will have to avoid any clients thetown wishes to use its new arena in the MorinvilleLeisure Centre. The report to council states the saleinlcudes: “Non-compete agreement related to icerentals and rates between the new owner of the RayMcDonald Sports Center ice rink and MorinvilleLeisure Center Landrex Arena.”

Council seems to think it has saved taxpayers fromthe cost of demolition but what happens if the busi-ness model fails and taxes are not paid on the proper-ty? Tax recovery would return the arena property tothe town ... but that would be years down and severalcouncil elections away. It’s time to be optimistic onthe future of all business in the community and ignorethe number of business closures in the past year.

The new owners of the faciity are going to run thearena and the curling rink, employ staff, pay the elec-tricity and natural gas franchise fee which goes to thetown, pay the water and groundwater utility fees tothe town, pay the municipal property taxes to thetown, do anena repairs and upgrades and not receiveany of the hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollarsannually in subsidy previously required to operate thefacility, — and as a private company, do so at a prof-it while not competing with the town’s new ice rink inthe Leisure Centre.

It only leaves one question. When will the townstart contracting this company to operating the Mor-inville Leisure Centre and the Morinville CommunityCultural Centre? These facilities now receive hun-dreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars annually to off-set their operating costs. Now that this council knowsthat Ray McDonald Arena can operate without sub-sidy the time has come for council to implement thisstrategy at all town facilities.

$2 million saving ondemolition was fluffbut potential existsto save on othertown facilities

Morgan Chrisotopherson (L-R) and Jaiken Ralph stop to purchase alimonade drink from cousins Aidan Kuzyk and Reese Primeau inMorinville July 9. The youngsters set up their drink stand to raise moneyfor their savings and, if they make a lot, to donate some to a charity.

While most people are looking for some summersun rather than the liquid sunshine we have been sad-dled with lately, Sturgeon County Council turned itsfocus to winter tires during their regular Councilmeeting June 30.

Council endorsed the proposed Rural Municipali-ties of Alberta (RMA) resolution mandating the useof winter tires in Alberta between November 15 andMarch 31 each year. Coun. Patrick Tighe wasappointed as the Resolution Champion as it headedto the next hurdle to get on the RMA agenda.

Tighe presented the resolution for consideration atthe July 13 Pembina River Zone meeting. He sup-ported the resolution, telling council it could savesociety a lot of time and money, noting that two otherprovinces (Ontario and Quebec) have already man-dated the use of winter tires.

Coun. Neil Comeau argued that tires were not theproblem but rather the drivers, pointing out if youlook at vehicles going off the roads in the winter it isthe 4x4s that are farthest in the field.

He also pointed out Ontario and Quebec get morefreezing rains so the mandatory tires make sensethere. Comeau and Coun. Karen Shaw opposedendorsing the resolution.

County council wants to make wintertires mandatory

THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Page A7

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The Free Pressemail morinville@shaw.ca 780-939-3309

Regular office hours 9am - 4pm Tuesday thru Friday (Closed daily 12:00 to 12:30)

NOTICEFREE PRESS, REVIEW --During the current COVID-19 situation

office hours are being minimized and phone access will beirregular, depending upon staff hours. Email and fax remain the

best communication tools. The Free Press office in Morinville has a newsstand in the front

lobby to pick up extra copies during business hours and the Reviewhas a newsstand outside the front entrance in Redwater.

Production and distribution of the weekly newspapers will continueon the normal weekly schedule. Ads, flyer orders, news, photos canbe submitted to morinville@shaw.ca The warehouse will continue

to receive flyer shipments as per normal.

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Town of Morinville staff and contractors repair a water main break at 99A Avenue and 92 Street in Morinville July 8.Water was off at 18 homes during the day but was back on shortly before 5:30 p.m.

Page A8, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2020

All around athlete Abagail Davey receivedthe Sr girls Basketball Teachable Spirit Awardand Volleyball Commitment to Sport Award atMorinville Community High School (MCHS)this year.

“I wasn’t sure how it would go with notbeing able to finish off the season,” she said. “Iwas surprised for the volleyball one.”

While she enjoys both team sports, basket-ball is her favorite.

“I’ve always been more committed to bas-ketball,” she said. “I like the faster pace and theadrenaline. You never know what’s going tohappen.”

She credits coach Kent Lessard, her basket-ball coach throughout high school, with havingthe most impact on her play.

“He’s always seen the potential in my playand pushed me to be my best,” she said.

Davey also plays badminton and competedin track and field events such as long jump,triple jump and high jump and the 400m race.

“I don’t consider myself a sprinter,” sheexplained. “I find the long distance ones easierthan sprinting.” When younger she played soft-ball in the summer.

During the winter Davey enjoys downhillskiing, a skill taught to her by her parents,Leslie and Christopher, when she was quiteyoung.

“I do a lot of skiing in the winter time,” shesaid. “A few years ago I was a ski instructor atRabbit Hill (in Edmonton).”

Davey just graduated from grade 12. Likemost grads this yearshe was a little dis-appointed at nothaving a big celebra-tion, but she said thelittle ceremony withfamily and a fewfriends the schoolheld for each gradu-ate was pretty good.

With high schoolbehind her, at theend of August she ismoving to BritishColumbia to take anAssociate of Sciencedegree at OkanaganCollege in Vernon.After those twoyears she will trans-fer to a university(she hasn’t decidedwhich one) and pos-sibly take a degree inkinesiology.

“Down the road Iwould like tobecome a physio-therapist,” Daveysaid.

For now, shewants to movearound a bit whilefurthering her edu-cation the way hersister, Emily, did.

Award winner in two sportsremains committed to basketball

Abagail Davey dribbles the ball up court in a basketball gameearlier this year. She recently received the MorinvilleCommunity High School Sr girls Basketball Teachable SpiritAward and Volleyball Commitment to Sport Award.

--photo by Leslie Davey