All playgrounds in the Town of Eckville are now closed until further notice in response to the province’s health emergency.
Council discussed the topic of closing all Town parks as of March 24 at the regular scheduled meeting on Monday night.
A statement from the Town urges staying off of the equipment to assure the health of residents.
Additionally, the Town Office will be locking its inner doors as of March 26 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those needing to access the office are asked to call ahead and schedule an appointment to help limit foot traffic.
The meeting on March 23 also saw council approve the 2020 Strategic Priorities Chart and agree to provide funding to the Eckville Community Centre.
The community centre is in necessary need of new overhead duct work as well as a replacement of the furnace.
The Town split the cost equally with Lacombe County and the Eckville Community Centre Society at $13,316 each for a total of $39,948.
The funds from the Town portion will be drawn from the Community Centre reserve.
The Strategic Priorities Chart for this year sets out seven short term priorities as well as six medium to long term.
By October council and the CAO hope to have reviewed all policies and bylaws and identified items to study with the wastewater system.
Jack Ramsden, CAO for the Town of Eckville, says they are looking at putting in a proposal for a proposal to look at the possibility of connecting to the Red Deer North or to Sylvan Lake’s waste water system.
Town communication with residents, a review of community facilities, pedestrian crossings, the 100th Anniversary and the Main Street enhancements fill out the short term list.
Medium to long term priorities include street repairs, the water system, the trial expansion as well as the food bank. Community promotion and joint use planning agreements round out the list.
When it comes to Main Street enhancements the new solar street lights have arrived, but not decision has been made as to how they will be fastened to the ground.
“It’s still coming,” said Ramsden in a phone interview. “I don’t think the lights are going to be shining until the later end of summer.”
Also on the solar front, the installation of the panels on the arena is delayed. A meeting with ENMAX is being planned to discuss construction for the solar power generation.
Ramsden is expecting construction for the project to start on the arena roof in the next few weeks.
The next regular scheduled meeting is April 14.