Bonnyville town councillors and executives threw their support behind Enbridge's proposed Athabasca Pipeline Twinning Project during a recent informal meeting with representatives from the company.
The proposed new pipeline would generally follow the path of the existing Athabasca Pipeline and would extend from the Kirby Lake area to Hardisty, along the way passing through the Bonnyville area, according to Enbridge construction manager Allen Sawatzky.
Construction of the new pipeline, which includes building a new pump station at the existing location in Bonnyville, would create jobs and give another boost to the area's economy, making it a very easy project to support, said Town CAO Mark Power.
“Construction of a large section of the pipeline will be centred around Bonnyville,” said Power. “The amount of people employed and the economic action being generated would definitely be a boon for the area.”
Power, along with councillors John Irwin, Jim Cheverie, deputy mayor Lorna Storoschuk, as well as director of recreation and parks Vic Stapleton all attended the Feb. 21 meeting with four representatives from Enbridge.
Sawatzky said the meeting was a way to start building partnerships and relationships within Bonnyville.
“All the services are here,” he said during his portion of the presentation to members of the town. “Bonnyville would be the perfect spot for the contractor to move in and begin work.”
Sawatzky estimated the pipeline project would require about 200 workers during winter construction and as many as 600 during summer hours, with many of the workers and sub-contractors being hired from the Bonnyville area.
Cheverie pointed out Bonnyville is an industrial hub with all the required services to make projects like this possible.
Power added, “From my perspective, supporting this is a no-brainer. Our council has always supported projects like this.”
The CAO said he could see this project creating many benefits for the town in the near future.
Sawatzky said the company plans to have its application in to the Environmental Resource Conservation Board by the end of March.
“If the application goes through, we can start timber salvage north of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range by winter 2012.”
He said if the application is delayed, plans are to clear timber and commence construction simultaneously during the winter of 2013.
“We feel we are on target with our proposal and things are moving ahead nicely,” said Sawatzky.
Craig Matwick, community relations advisor with Enbridge, said the company is looking forward to getting involved in the community and continuing its role as a responsible corporate citizen.
