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MD awards Edmonton business schematic design for outdoor recreation park

20.06.02.rec park update
A paved trail was one of the top items residents wanted to see included in the MD's outdoor multi-purpose recreation park. File Photo.

BONNYVILLE - With a completely blank slate, the MD of Bonnyville has tasked an Edmonton-based company with outlining their future outdoor multi-purpose recreation park.

Select Engineering will be completing the schematic design, which will provide information on site and preliminary transportation assessments, as well as opportunities and constraints based on the lay of the of land.

The MD is working with the Town of Bonnyville on the project "because they own the land and it's in their jurisdiction," explained general manager of planning and community services Caroline Palmer, adding the 75-acres is located near the town's rodeo grounds.

MD Reeve Greg Sawchuk clarified during their Feb. 5 committee meeting that when it comes to financial involvement, the Town of Bonnyville "have none, so this is a gift to the town."

The Edmonton-based firm tasked with completing the schematic design were among 14 companies that pitched their business.

“Select Engineering had the relevant experience, corporate experience, and good survey hours, so therefore, our recommendation is to approve the award of the outdoor multi-purpose rec park schematic design to Select Engineering,” Palmer detailed.

The $69,985 expense will be taken from the 2020 parks capital projects budget, and came in under the MD's previous predictions of $100,000.

According to Palmer, Select Engineering will be on the ground testing soil and figuring out which pieces fit where.

“It’s not the actual construction, it’s doing the investigation on the soil to be sure the ball diamonds aren’t being put in a heavy water table area and that sort of thing."

Once they have a general design prepared for council, Palmer will bring it to the table for discussion.

Her hope is to have the first draft by June.

The awarding of the schematic design follows almost a years worth of prior legwork.

In 2019, the MD brought on RC Strategies +PERC to determine if there was even a desire for this type of facility.

After the company conducted a feasibility study, which included online surveys and open houses, it was clear residents wanted a multi-use outdoor space, particularly one with camping, day-use picnic and barbecue areas, paved trails, and an outdoor amphitheatre.

Meagan MacEachern, Bonnyville Nouvelle

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