THE LAC LA BICHE POST, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 -

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Funds flood in for new plant FOUR SEASONS

ERIN McCARTY POST STAFF

Residents of Lac La Biche are one step closer to a new, $20-million Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) wastewater treatment facility at Field Lake becoming a reality. On Sept.7, Alberta Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette announced that the Government of Alberta has approved an additional $5.5-million towards the total project cost, bringing grant funding from $7,222,000 to $12,807,432. This is due to the project cost rising from $11,500,000 to the current $20,394,000. This is certainly very exciting to be receiving additional grant money, said Mayor Peter Kirylchuk. It significantly brings down the County contribution. The County has also applied to the Federal Government for a green initiative grant and, should we be successful, another $5-million or 25 per cent of the total project cost, would be eliminated. If all the grants are received, the municipalitys portion of the $20 million project would be just three million dollars. The project was scheduled to being this fall, but money coming from Federal grants must be

approved before a spade goes into the ground, said Kirylchuk. He said while the outcome of the federal grant application looks favourable, the County has not been informed that the money is coming at this point. Construction company Maple Reinders has been contracted for the design build of the new facility. The facility will be owned and, eventually, operated by the municipality. Maple Reinders, in conjunction with Portage College, is willing to train County employees so the facility can eventually be run by the municipality, said Kirylchuk. They were chosen by the County because of their design. Their operation costs were also 67 per cent less than the opposing proponent indicated, which is a considerable savings. Lac La Biche resident, longtime environmental advocate and Field Lake advocate Tom Maccagno hopes the treatment facility will finally deal with the pollution issue that has been plaguing Field Lake for decades. A lake should never be used for dumping sewage, he said, adding that Field Lake is also an important geographical point of interest, and was used to connect water bodies for early explorers and fur

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ERIN MCARTY / LLB POST

The existing Field Lake wastewater plant and its effluent ponds could soon see a $20 million replacement.

THANKSGIVING DINNER
Monday, October 11
4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Lac La Biche Heritage Centre
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer Him and say. Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the King will say to them in reply, Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25: *** On Thanksgiving Day, we will get together with our loved ones to sit down for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Many, through circumstances, will not get to enjoy that same benefit. There are widows and widowers; there are individuals or families separated from their own families and may have just moved to our community; students, those unemployed or employed at lower paying positions that may not have this same opportunity. St. Catherines Parish is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner and extends an open invitation to anyone and everyone to come together and celebrate Thanksgiving!

traders. It needs to be restored and appreciated for the very important historic site that it is. Cleaner output than drinking water Water flowing out of the new treatment facility will have less particulate matter than in current Lac La Biche drinking water, said Kirylchuk, and as water flows out of the plant, it will be neutralized by ultraviolet light. This is to ensure no

pathogens will leave in the water, which will flow into Field Lake, down to Red Deer Brook, and empty into Lac La Biche lake. The BNR plant will also reduce the level of phosphates and nitrogen, which are the culprits for algae blooms. Alberta Environment officials could not be reached for comment prior to the Posts editorial deadline on Monday.

Cenovus donates
Continued from page 1 With the projected November opening just around the corner, Lac La Biche County staff are getting ready for bookings and have already had inquiries about rentals. We have had quite a few people asking to book some space for weddings in 2011 and even in 2012 but we are still working out the schedules, said Kristin Walsh, the manager of recreation and culture and facilities at the county office. Walsh also added that the county is working with local sports organizations that use the current arenas and curling rink for accommodations at the Bold Center. We are working with community groups in moving them over to the Bold Center and working with their schedules, she said.

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