Taber set to put bequest into action

‘Grateful’ town to spend benefactor’s $2.4M on new fire hall, walking trails

Taber will build a new fire hall bearing the name of a wealthy benefactor who left $2.4 million to the southern Alberta town.

The town, about 260 kilometres southeast of Calgary, has been named as the beneficiary of the estate of former resident William Ferguson, who died last October. The “generous” sum of money will be used to build a new fire hall, increase affordable housing and add new recreational walking trails.

Over the past year, Taber’s town council identified a lack of affordable housing for young families, said a news release from the town. This is due to provincial fire regulations related to high-intensity residential fire standards, resulting in homes having to be built using specific materials that raise the cost.

The new fire hall will be built using $1.5 million of the donation, in a more central location that will decrease response times for fire crews, providing additional safety for residents.

The new fire hall will bear Ferguson’s name as a tribute to his donation.

“We wanted to make sure the very generous donation Mr. Ferguson has left for the Town of Taber was put toward a use that would provide the highest benefit to the community as a whole and to guarantee there would be a lasting reminder of his kindness,” Mayor Andrew Prokop said in the news release.

The remaining $900,000 from the donation will be put toward creating new walking trails and the trout pond rehabilitation project, which aims to revitalize the fishfilled pond.

“Above all, the Town of Taber is incredibly grateful for Mr. Ferguson’s generosity,” said Cory Armfelt, chief administrative officer. “Honouring the man in the way that council has chosen is a great way to ensure a long-standing legacy. Both these projects are great for community enhancement and have long-term value.”