Friday, July 18, 2025
The Town of Blackfalds was successful in receiving the Government of Alberta’s Local Growth and Sustainability Grant, as announced on Tuesday, July 15, by Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams, who was joined by Lacombe County Reeve Barb Shepherd, MLA Jennifer Johnson, and Mayor Jamie Hoover.
The annual Grant supports local governments by funding infrastructure that:
- addresses growth pressures
- attracts economic development opportunities
- addresses unique or emergent needs in their communities
The $2,314,486 grant will be going towards the Blackfalds Broadway Reservoir Expansion Project, which was brought forward initially by Lacombe County in late 2022 to discuss the limitations of the existing water and sewer servicing for the Aspelund Industrial Area (currently serviced by the Town through a Joint Servicing Agreement).
“While water infrastructure isn’t necessarily flashy, it’s absolutely essential to a thriving community. This reservoir expansion not only secures our capacity for future growth in population and industrial development, but it also reflects what’s possible when municipalities and the Province work together to build strong, resilient communities,” said Mayor Hoover, Town of Blackfalds.
Contract 1, currently being built by Timcon, will include the installation of a large underground water tank (6,500 cubic metres) and connecting it to the water pump system, which will also be upgraded under Contract 2. This reservoir expansion project is necessary to support future growth (for a population of 20,000) and ensure enough water is available for both everyday use and fire protection within the Town and Lacombe County’s Aspelund Industrial area.
The entire project is anticipated to cost approximately $7.8 million made up of Contract 1, currently under construction, and Contract 2 being designed now for a future tender. The Town of Blackfalds will provide 59% and Lacombe County will provide 41% of the total cost after the grant subsidy.
