A landmark in the community continues to be an eyesore for many residents in Lac La Biche County. The water tower has been deteriorating, is covered in rust and is in dire need of repairs,” said Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov, during last week’s council meeting.
“It’s a landmark in Lac La Biche… now that landmark is pretty rusty and ugly. It needs to be improved whether it’s this year or next. Eventually, we have to do something about it,” said the mayor.
Over the summer, Lac La Biche residents continued to express the lack of response from County officials on addressing the problems of the water tower.
However, the almost 60-year structure sits on property that is not owned by the County and is a costly project that should see interested community residents collect dollars and create a committee to find a solution, according to Coun. Darlene Beniuk
“Fundraise and do whatever you want to do to this water tower. Purchase the property underneath it, because it doesn’t belong to the County at this time.” Beniuk adds the project costs have been explored by council and it is not a financially feasible project, nor is it a taxpayer responsibility.
“It was a very expensive venture then, and I cannot see it being any cheaper today. My guess is it's likely double from the last time. I say whosoever is interested, you can start a society and go hard,” said Beniuk.
Transparency
The project should be a community decision, said Coun. Charlyn Moore
“This shouldn’t be a decision of council. This should be a decision of the community,” Moore said, adding, she would like concerned residents to understand how complex the water tower is, while council works toward being more transparent about the issue.
“What our residents don’t understand is the sheer costs. It doesn’t matter where the apparatus is located or whether it is our property or not. Much needs to come out of the in-camera. The in-camera was much around the land usage but the price, price can come out in public, and I think that desperately needs to [be public] because there are quite a few residents that would like to hear about it.”
Coun. Sterling Johnson agreed that more information needs to be shared with the public from past discussions which included proposals on solutions, painting the structure and an option on removing the water tower altogether.
In the coming months, council will work toward assessing reports and past discussions concerning the water tower. More transparency on the issue is expected to occur outside of closed-session discussions regarding the property.
“No matter what those options are previously, we need to move something forward. Let's review the previous information we have and give guidance. Whether it is a committee [or not], something needs to be done,” said Reutov.
