Fort Macleod plans last-ditch pitch for police college
Town hopes to save planned $122M project
Fort Macleod’s mayor will make his case in person this week to members of the Redford government to save the provincial police college long planned for his town. The southern Alberta community was stunned last month when Solicitor-General Jonathan Denis cancelled the $122-million project, citing a lack of uptake and concerns over cost.
Now,MayorShawn Patience and members of town council will be in Edmonton for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention that runs today through Friday with provincial politicians in attendance. “We’ve made the commitment that we’re going to speak to as many MLAs and cabinet ministers as we can and see what the perspective from their side is and how much they know about this,” said Patience, who is hoping for a conversation with Premier Alison Redford.
“The goal here is really still to try and get them to reconsider and retool
We’re looking at every avenue we can to oppose
the decision. WILDROSE
MLA PAT STIER
this if necessary.”
But Patience acknowledged that while the town is fighting for the project to be restored, it also has to make its case for redress if the college plan isn’t revived.
The town has committed nearly $4 million on utility connections to the planned site of the college and the axing of the project means a huge loss of potential taxes and economic development, he said.
“We’re having to dance a little bit ... Clearly, one of our main issues really is the financial encumbrances this has now brought upon us,” he said.
Tory cabinet ministers will be at the AUMA convention on Thursday for a “dialogue” session while Redford will address the crowd.
Patience said he will also be discussing the college issue with other municipal leaders.
Denis’s press secretary, Josh Stewart, said no formal meeting has been planned, but the minister is willing to meet with the town’s delegation.
“But the decision’s made. The decision’s final,” he said.
The college, intended to train police officers from across the province, was originally announced by the Klein government six years ago. Then-premier Ed Stelmach said last year the project would go ahead and a construction contract was awarded just this summer.
Denis’s decision to scrap the college was supported by the Calgary and Edmonton police services, and the RCMP, which said it was unnecessary.
Pat Stier, the Wildrose MLA for Livingstone-Macleod, said the college’s fate will be a priority for the Opposition in the legislature sitting that begins in October.
Killing the project may cost the province more down the road if individual police services seek financing for new facilities, he said.
“We’re looking at every avenue we can to oppose the decision and also to try to draw out the financials on this matter, which I think are crucial,” said Stier.