The last two years have been ones of challenge and triumph for many communities across the province, and across the world.
Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two years, the Town of Eckville has not been immune to these challenges.
Still, in a year that had the town celebrating its centennial anniversary there were successes and here are a few of them:
January
- The town focused on economic development by offering three months of free water, sewer and garbage service to any new buildings placed on several vacant properties. The offer ran from Jan. 26, 2021, until the end of the year.
March
- The previous Chamber of Commerce donated $10,000 towards the Eckville Municipal Hospital Memorial Pedestrian Trail.
April
- Crossroads Energy Solutions Inc. was awarded a contract valued just under $725,000, funded through government grants, to do work on the water pumphouse and water reservoir upgrades.
- Border Paving was awarded a contract valued at just over $307,500, again funded through grants, for pedestrian trail and sidewalk improvements.
May
- Council approved the construction of a new RV dump station, with construction to be started and completed in 2022.
- The Eckville Health Care Centre Reserve gave $30,000 to Alberta Health Services to construct a new wall in the Home Care treatment area of the Eckville Community Health Centre.
June
- Communities in Bloom placed 14 planters on Main Street and in front of the town office.
- Council sent a letter in support of the RCMP to Kaycee Madu, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.
July
- Summer Day Camp was back at the arena.
- The Skateboard Park Trail was completed and a new fence was put up and painted.
-The Eckville Library held a successful virtual summer reading program.
August
- Council sent a letter to Prasad Panda, Minister of Infrastructure, to voice their displeasure and concern regarding the cancellation of funding for the Household Hazardous Waste Program.
September
- The town faced a boil water advisor from Sept. 2 to 5 due to low water levels in the reservoir.
- The town placed a plaque at the town office acknowledging that Eckville sits on Treaty Six Territory.
-Eckville Arena’s ice plant was completed at a cost of $640,000, with the province paying $320,000, the town paying, $106, 668, and Lacombe County funding $106,668, and the arena funding the remaining $106, 668.
- MLA Jason Nixon officially opened the new Eckville Municipal Hospital Memorial Path.
- In support of National Truth and Reconciliation Day Sept. 30, murals were painted on the sidewalk at Eckville elementary, junior, and high schools. The murals were dedicated with Chief Bear in an Oct. 3, 2021, ceremony.
October
- Council agreed to commit $33,500 annually towards “administrative and technical resources” required in an application for a Nurse Practitioner for the community.
- Election day. Colleen Ebden was elected mayor and councillors Kevin See, Dwayne Meyers, Laurie Phillips and Karin Engen returning; joined by new councillors Jacquie Palm-Fraser and Delaney Thorsen.
November
- Centennial celebrations, along with the annual Christmas tree lightning. The evening was complete with hot chocolate and hot dogs provided by FCSS, and the evening was capped off by fireworks.
December
-Stantec Consulting was contracted to provide costing for lagoon upgrade options to assist in the town’s planning for future improvements.