Skip to main content

Profile: Sahra Nodge

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the Town of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

Council holds off on cutting utility franchise fees

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town councillors put off a decision on utility franchise fees Sept. 14 after debating whether trimming the charges to ease pressure on residents’ bills was worth the hit to the town’s budget.

Council also heard Northback Holdings’ economic case for its proposed Grassy Mountain coal mine, voted down a funding request from the library, and set a date for its tax recovery auction.

Council debates utility costs

Council deferred decisions on both the natural gas and electricity franchise fees to Sept. 28.

It was asked to set the franchise fee percentages for 2027 and 2028 at once, as the town now budgets on a two-year cycle. Residents pay these fees on their gas and power bills.

The natural gas fee with Apex Utilities has sat at the maximum allowable 35 per cent since 2024, bringing in about $849,000 in 2025. The electricity fee with FortisAlberta, capped at 20 per cent, brought in about $673,000 in 2025.

Coun. Brian McGillivray proposed reducing the gas fee to 30 per cent, saying residents are facing difficult choices between groceries, rent and utility bills.

Coun. Sahra Nodge has historically supported the higher fee because it allows the town to collect revenue from utility customers who do not pay property taxes. However, she said the increasing dollar amounts have changed her view.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar told council a reduction from 35 to 30 per cent would reduce revenue by about $134,000. He said that could affect the town’s target of a three per cent tax increase and that keeping services at current levels might require other changes.

Get Stuff’d meat and seafood shop sign, located at 214 13th St. in Fort Macleod, open Thursday through Saturday from 12 noon to 6 p.m., phone 368-996-1968, follow us on Facebook at Get Stuff’d.

Mayor Wayne Oliver said framing the fees as percentages was misleading, since a household’s actual savings from a five-point cut would amount to only about a dollar or two per bill.

He asked administration to report back on how much franchise fee revenue the town collected last year compared with what was budgeted. He also suggested councillors review their own annual utility bills before making a decision.

Northback outlines economic impact of coal mining

Northback CEO Brad Johnson presented council with findings from a socioeconomic impact study the company commissioned from the accounting firm EY to support its bid to revive the Grassy Mountain coal project in the MD of Ranchland, north of Blairmore.

Johnson said Northback provided EY with project data, including expected costs, employee numbers and other activities. EY then used Statistics Canada data and economic modelling to estimate the project’s broader effects.

The proposed mine would require about $1.4 billion in capital investment during a two-year construction period, Johnson said.

According to the study, about $1.2 billion of that spending could contribute to Canada’s gross domestic product during construction.

The study also estimates about $14 billion in additional Canadian exports over the life of the project.

Johnson said the mine could support about 9,577 full-time-equivalent positions during construction. Operations could support about 1,756 full-time-equivalent positions nationally.

An older couple smiles while leaning on a wooden railing outdoors, above text describing their $879 profit share from Vision Credit Union and a website link.

He said the regional impact could include about 875 full-time-equivalent jobs, including direct, indirect and induced positions. Northback expects about 425 full-time-equivalent employees to work directly at the mine.

Johnson said the company expects about $3.8 billion in wages over the mine’s operating life and that about 90 per cent of its operating spending would remain in Canada.

The company is still completing its integrated application for regulatory approval. Johnson said Northback expects to submit the application within the next six months. That could be as early as December, depending on the completion of technical modelling, particularly related to water.

He said the regulatory process could eventually lead to a statement of concern process and additional information requests.

Oliver asked how Northback would address housing needs if the project proceeds, saying the region has limited housing options and could see an influx of workers.

Johnson said Northback has considered the issue and expects employee busing to be part of its plans. The company could provide transportation from Pincher Creek and communities farther east, as well as from Crowsnest Pass, he said.

Johnson also said Northback owns surface land in Crowsnest Pass and is open to discussions with the municipality about potential housing opportunities.

Library funding request denied

Council voted 6-1 against contributing up to $1,100 to Pincher Creek Municipal Library’s two-day dark sky planetarium program, planned for January 2027. Coun. Mark Barber was the only member in support.

Event poster for a Secondhand Dreamcar concert at the Empress Theatre on November 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM, featuring a photo of the band members.

The expanded two-day program is expected to cost $8,200. The library has secured $6,000 through grants and is seeking the remaining $2,200.

McGillivray questioned whether the town should contribute while looking for ways to reduce spending and support residents facing financial pressures. He said the request should have gone through the joint funding process instead.

Tax recovery auction set for November

Council approved the terms and process for its 2026 property tax arrears recovery public auction, set for Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. in the council chambers at town hall.

Council also set reserve bids for two properties heading to auction, a mobile home lot at $26,600 and a house at $313,400, based on assessed values.

Oliver questioned whether the reserve amounts were reasonable and why the figures must be discussed publicly.

Dunbar said the practice follows the Municipal Government Act’s requirement that current owners have the opportunity to recover their assessed value.

Regional water planning grant

Council agreed to join the MD of Pincher Creek’s application for a 2026-27 Alberta Community Partnership grant for a regional water and wastewater expansion and upgrade plan. The MD would serve as managing partner, with the town as a participating partner.

The proposed plan would examine the costs of servicing areas including the Pincher Creek Airport and Pincher Station.

The grant program can cover 90 per cent of eligible planning costs, up to $150,000. The application deadline is Oct. 1.

Council reviews second-quarter finances

The town recorded an operating surplus of about $2.24 million for the first six months of the year, largely because the full year’s property taxes were billed in that period. Council accepted the operating statements for the six months ending June 30.

Total revenue for the period reached about $9.18 million, about 75 per cent of the $12.15-million annual budget. Net municipal property taxes came in at about $5.66 million, essentially matching the full annual budget.

Other revenue was closer to the halfway mark:

—User fees and sales: $1.47 million of $2.92 million.

—Franchise and concession fees: $816,000 of $1.43 million.

—Government operating transfers: $623,000 of $838,000.

—Rental income: $322,000 of $829,000.

Poster for Pincher Creek Chamber’s 31st Annual Awards of Excellence on October 23, 2026. Ticket prices and event details are listed, with a link for tickets at PincherChamber.ca/tickets.

Total expenses stood at about $6.94 million, or about 52 per cent of the $13.41-million annual budget, in line with the midpoint of the year.

Salaries, wages and benefits made up the largest single expense category at $2.37 million, about 46 per cent of the $5.19 million budgeted for the full year.

Recreation and culture was the largest department expense at $2.08 million of a $4.22-million budget.

Spending on water supply and distribution, wastewater treatment, roads and protective services all tracked between about 28 and 46 per cent of their respective annual budgets.

Dunbar said administration has not identified any major concerns with the statements. He said the town is also working toward more detailed quarterly reporting as it moves through its two-year budgeting process.

Related stories

Economic hopes, environmental concerns collide at Northback presentation

News briefs from June 22 Town of Pincher Creek council table

News briefs from June 8 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Coal Mining, Franchise Fees, Municipal Budget, Regional Water Planning, Tax Recovery, Utility Rates

A camper trailer under a permanent roof structure

Town votes down plan to allow RVs as permanent homes

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Can recreational vehicles designed for temporary use also serve as permanent homes? The Town of Pincher Creek has decided no — at least not under current land-use rules.

At its July 27 meeting, council voted 6-0 to defeat Land Use Bylaw Amendment 1639-25-C, which would have allowed RVs to be used as permanent homes in the town’s manufactured and mobile home parks through discretionary approvals. Coun. Sahra Nodge was absent.

Under current rules, RVs are a prohibited use in those parks and cannot legally serve as full-time residences. The bylaw process now ends and that prohibition stands.

The request

The change was requested by Ok Hee Kim, a mobile home park owner, who asked council to allow RV residential use under discretionary approval.

In her application, Kim said many people cannot afford traditional housing or the cost of relocating an older mobile home, and allowing RVs as dwellings could expand options in an area with limited affordable housing.

She also said it would formalize existing non-compliant RV occupancy.

The case for

At a July 27 public hearing, several residents backed the change, citing the region’s housing affordability pressures.

One woman said she moved to an RV after being priced out of rentals, and described her lot as clean, affordable and well maintained. Restricting RV living, she said, would harm vulnerable, low-income residents, particularly as affordability pressures grow and aging infrastructure limits other housing options.

Job ad for “Shootin’ the Breeze” seeks part-time and full-time staff for photography, writing, and reporting; contact publisher@shootinthebreeze.ca. Background shows printed news text and a hand holding a voice recorder.

Another resident shared personal experience and said RV living is an option for people struggling with rising housing costs.

A written submission supported letting council consider RV occupancy through discretionary approval and suggested conditions such as ownership rules, seasonal limits, parking and screening, to regulate it.

The case against

Senior planner Steve Harty recommended council defeat the amendment, and several residents who spoke against it echoed his concerns.

Harty said RVs are legally classified only for travel and recreation, are not recognized as permanent housing under provincial rules, and fail national building code standards for insulation and fire safety. Also, RVs are not generally designed for year-round living in Alberta’s climate.

Residents who opposed the amendment raised the same fire-safety concern, noting RVs are built to different standards than permanent homes.

Harty also flagged a gap in tenant protections, noting Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act may not clearly cover RV rental arrangements.

Both the planner and a number of residents warned the change could set a precedent. Harty cautioned that approving RV use in one district could invite similar requests elsewhere and that adding it to the R2 land-use district would open the possibility across all five of the town’s manufactured and mobile home parks.

Residents echoed that a bylaw change could have wider effects, including RVs appearing in unexpected public spaces.

Some opponents also raised concerns about neighbourhood impacts, infrastructure, enforcement and pressures they associated with more transient populations.

The vote

The land-use amendment received first reading June 22 and the town mailed notices to 175 nearby property owners June 30, ahead of the July 27 public hearing.

After hearing all submissions, Mayor Wayne Oliver asked whether anyone had new points to raise. None were offered and council voted unanimously to defeat second reading.

With that, the bylaw process ends and RVs remain prohibited as permanent homes under the town’s current land-use bylaw.

Administration noted the decision is final and cannot be challenged.

Affordable Housing, Fire Safety, Housing Affordability, Land Use Bylaws, Manufactured Home Parks, Mobile Home Parks, Public Hearings, Recreational Vehicles, RV Living, Tenant Protections

A construction worker on scaffolding

$2M curling rink deal moves ahead after councils compromise

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Sports.

For weeks, Pincher Creek’s two councils were stuck on a single question: whether the town should guarantee its new curling rink stays a curling rink for the next 40 years. This week, the MD dropped the demand.

The MD of Pincher Creek voted July 29 to abandon the condition — which the Town of Pincher Creek had refused two days earlier — clearing the way for up to $2 million in additional public funding and allowing construction to continue.

Broader questions about the building’s long-term future are left for future negotiations.

The sticking point

At the centre of the standoff was the MD’s proposed defined-purpose agreement, which would have required the rink to operate as a curling facility for up to 40 years. If that ever changed, the town would be on the hook to repay the MD’s funding on a sliding scale.

Town council rejected the agreement at its July 27 meeting, voting 4-2 to decline, with Couns. Mark Barber and Bernice Cyr opposed. Coun. Sahra Nodge was absent from this vote but arrived later in the meeting.

Town administration had already flagged problems with the MD’s draft, including inconsistent grant figures and a clause that could put the town in breach even in circumstances beyond its control, such as the club dropping retail or liquor sales.

Mayor Wayne Oliver compared the request to a 2018 agreement tied to the town’s early-learning centres, where the MD contributed $1 million in exchange for a similar use commitment. But he said this case is different because the town didn’t build the curling rink — the club did.

“By signing this agreement, we are committing to the longevity of curling in the community, with or without the curling club,” he said.

Several councillors said they supported protecting the MD’s investment but questioned whether taxpayers should be responsible if the curling club were ever unable to continue operating the facility.

Councillors were split on how long a commitment made sense, with suggestions ranging from five to 20 years. Couns. Mark Barber and Bernice Cyr both said they were open to a shorter deal; Couns. Valerie Wynder and Gordon McMullen argued any binding term was too much to ask of future taxpayers.

MD drops condition

The MD of Pincher Creek called a special council meeting July 29 to revisit its funding terms. Council voted to rescind the motions it had passed July 14, which had made its additional $1-million contribution conditional on the town signing the defined-purpose agreement.

In its place, council approved a revised package requiring only that the Pincher Creek Curling Club sign an updated funding agreement with the MD. The new terms maintain the MD’s ability to recover its contribution under defined circumstances while dropping the requirement for the town to guarantee the building’s future use.

MD council also reauthorized an interim payment of $340,212 toward the project’s ninth progress payment, to be released once the club signs, from the community initiatives reserve.

What else the town decided

Along with rejecting the agreement, town council settled two other pieces of the curling file July 27.

It approved a revised lease with the curling club. This was a condition of its earlier commitment of up to $1 million, which council approved June 22 contingent on the MD matching the money and on lease changes formalizing the town’s ownership of the completed facility.

The club approved the revised lease on July 17.

The updated version drops a clause requiring the town to consolidate the leased land at no cost and narrows the property description to a single address.

It passed 4-2, with Couns. Brian McGillivray and McMullen opposed. Coun. Nodge was also absent from this vote.

McGillivray said he still doesn’t have a clear total cost for the project.

“I want a line of sight on what we’re spending our money on and I want to know what it is,” he said.

The six councillors also voted unanimously to order a report reviewing how the curling project reached this point, covering council decisions dating back to January 2024. Some debated the terminology, with Cyr objecting to the word “post-mortem,” arguing it implied curling in the town was already finished.

The review will proceed internally unless it proves too costly, in which case council could consider hiring an outside reviewer.

Finally, Oliver proposed the town offer joint ownership of the building as an alternative, a model under which the MD could gain a say in the building’s future use without the town facing financial penalties if the club folded.

That motion passed unanimously, with Nodge joining by then, though councillors stressed it was only a starting point for talks.

How the project got here

The funding dispute follows months of public debate over a funding shortfall that emerged after construction was already underway — the latest chapter in a replacement-rink effort dating back more than a decade.

The Pincher Creek Curling Club first approached the MD in 2015 seeking support for a replacement rink, after the project was estimated at $3 million in 2011. It moved between proposed sites, survived a failed borrowing bylaw, and outlasted a task force that was later dissolved before construction finally began in October 2025.

By then, the budget had grown to $5.23 million, supported by $1.25 million from the town, $1 million from the MD, and a $1-million grant through the Community Facility Enhancement Program.

The gap emerged when the club’s application for a $1.5-million provincial Active Communities Initiative grant was declined in November 2025. By April 2026, club officials told both councils they were running out of money and needed up to $1.8 million in bridge financing while they reapplied.

The request sparked months of public debate over whether taxpayers should fund the half-built facility or risk leaving it unfinished. A mid-June information session drew about 130 residents from the town and MD, divided between support for curling’s role in the community and questions about how the shortfall happened.

Active Communities Initiative, Capital Projects, Community Facility Enhancement Program, Curling, Curling Rinks, Municipal Government, Public Funding

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the" at the top and "Town of Pincher Creek" at the bottom, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a curved meeting table in the center.

Town revisits economic strategy focused on jobs, housing and growth

Written on . Posted in Business & Economy, Civic & Government.

Hoping to strengthen Pincher Creek’s economy for years to come, town council is dusting off a five-year-old strategy designed to attract new businesses, create jobs and address long-standing challenges such as housing and workforce shortages.

The Community Economic Development Strategy, approved in 2022 after years of research and public consultation, returned to council July 8 as members discussed how to put more of its recommendations into action rather than leaving it on the shelf.

Mayor Wayne Oliver, who raised the discussion, brought the document forward after realizing several members of the current council had never seen it.

Strategy objectives

The strategy is a 136-page document built around four goals and 30 recommendations.

The goals are to retain and expand existing businesses, attract new investment, develop a regional workforce and leverage the town’s assets to diversify its economy — including plans for a health and wellness hub and a transportation and logistics corridor.

Its research also identified seven key challenges facing the community: a critical housing shortage, looming workforce shortages, a lack of downtown vitality, aging business owners nearing retirement without clear successors, gaps in local data, administrative processes that could be streamlined, and the need to diversify the economy and strengthen business confidence.

The roots of the document stretch back to 2019, when a previous council hired consulting firm InnoVisions and Associates to study the town’s economic future. Researchers interviewed more than 100 business owners and community stakeholders, and hosted two public engagement sessions.

By March 2020 the project was on track, on time and on budget, but work was shelved so attention could turn to helping local businesses survive the Covid-19 pandemic.

Once the crisis eased, work resumed and surveys conducted in 2021 measured the pandemic’s impact on the business community, drawing more than 200 responses. The finished strategy was presented to council in late 2021 and formally approved in January 2022.

Why it stalled

Oliver said the town invested considerable time and money into developing the strategy but did little with it once approved. He encouraged council to determine which recommendations remain relevant and how to act on them.

Coun. Sahra Nodge, who was on council when the strategy was approved, said some recommendations were considered during early budget discussions, but funding requests tied to them were not approved.

Turnover in the town’s economic development role also slowed momentum, she said, leaving no clear ownership of the strategy and no one to connect local business owners with an incentive bylaw that grew from the recommendations.

What’s already happening

Even without a deliberate push, parts of the strategy have advanced through other work.

Nodge said council’s recent focus on housing, particularly through the community housing committee, lines up with one section of the strategy, even if it wasn’t planned that way.

Coun. Valerie Wynder said other pieces have been addressed through a rewritten land-use bylaw and an upcoming review of the municipal development plan.

Oliver said Pincher Creek has changed considerably since the research was done, using downtown revitalization as an example. Many storefronts have been renovated, vacancy rates have fallen and the area appears more vibrant than it did five years ago.

Coun. Mark Barber described a community with uneven growth, with the east side and north end thriving and little commercial space available to rent or buy. He said downtown is far better off than a few years ago but has slowed over the past year.

Barber said a business owner recently raised concerns about beautification and signage at both ends of Main Street, echoing recommendations in the strategy.

What happens now

Councillors generally supported reviewing the strategy while questioning why so many recommendations had not advanced.

Coun. Brian McGillivray questioned what actions had been taken since its approval. He suggested that administration lead the review process with support from a committee, as the strategy is too broad for council to manage alone.

Oliver said he had already asked the town’s housing and economic development committee, which he chairs, to review the strategy’s first goal — retaining and expanding local businesses — ahead of further discussion.

Wynder said the document could help guide budget discussions, including whether to fund an additional economic development position, and was glad council had it in hand before deliberations begin.

Council set no timeline and assigned no specific tasks. Oliver said updates will come through his regular written committee reports.

In an interview after the meeting, Oliver said he is not interested in commissioning a new economic development strategy or rewriting the strategy’s recommendations from scratch. Instead, he wants council to measure what recommendations have already been accomplished and focus on completing what remains.

“The main goal of that document is to help to improve the long-term economic well-being of the community. As elected officials, we should be doing everything we can to help strengthen the businesses in our community,” he said

“If municipalities invest money on strategies, they should see them through to completion. That’s why it’s important to me that we revisit this economic development strategy.”

Business Growth, Downtown Revitalization, economic development, Housing, Workforce Development

AlbertaSW executive members and municipal representatives pose together at the annual general meeting.

From Mounties to Mountains grows to 25 years of regional collaboration

Written on . Posted in Business & Economy, Community Life.

“I never miss an AGM. Alberta SouthWest is the most important organization in the region,” said the mayor of Nanton, Jennifer Handley, referencing the Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance and its June 3 annual general meeting.

The organization is the original on which eight other alliances across the province were modelled. Each brings together municipal governments, non-profits, businesses and other organizations to promote economic and tourism activities. AlbertaSW stretches from Nanton to Cardston to Crowsnest Pass.

Speakers at this year’s AGM paid tribute to the people who have made the alliance’s work possible for a quarter-century, in particular thanking executive director Beverly Thornton for her leadership.

Alberta SouthWest is a driving force in attracting tourists, entrepreneurs and investors to the region. With its unique landscapes and mix of industry, people and resources, the area attracts people interested in sustainable economic development, community growth and wealth generation.

Following a dinner served in the Zoeteman-Vogelaar Dairy Barn at Heritage Acres Farm Museum, former Pincher Creek mayor Art Bonertz outlined the early days of the alliance.

“People refer to me as the instigator for getting things going,” he said.

As newly elected mayor, Bonertz called local businesspeople and asked, “What can Pincher Creek do to help you guys succeed?”

In 2001, he also reached out to elected officials in Fort Macleod, asking what would happen if both towns pooled their tourism budgets. This led to a series of partnerships and production of a promotional brochure for the entire southwestern region, a project matched by provincial funds.

The communities involved at the time were Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, Cardston and Claresholm.

By 2003, 11 communities had signed the joint-venture agreement running under the name From Mounties to Mountains Economic Regional Initiative. The name Alberta SouthWest was suggested in 2005 by John Irwin, then mayor of Crowsnest Pass.

The Reel Adventures Alberta Movie Map Project launched in 2007. It serves a dual purpose — attracting filmmakers to the area and allowing moviegoers to follow the steps of their favourite on-screen characters across the regional landscape.

Bonertz said the five communities that signed the original memorandum of understanding in 2001 started by looking for “low-hanging fruit,” carrying out simple actions that promoted municipalities while saving money. Regional business licences were also established to support more than 350 businesses.

Bonertz encouraged current leaders to continue collaborating.

“I don’t think there has ever been a time when we needed each other more,” he said.

Mickey Vallee addresses AlbertaSW members gathered in the loft at Heritage Acres Farm Museum.

Speaking to a full loft in the Z-V Barn, Heritage Acres executive director Mickey Vallee welcomes everyone to the farm museum.

Hannah Noerenberg © 2026 Shootin’ the Breeze

Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic speaks during the AlbertaSW annual general meeting.

Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic thanks members of AlbertaSW for their leadership.

Hannah Noerenberg © 2026 Shootin’ the Breeze

Sahra Nodge presents a bouquet to Beverly Thornton while AlbertaSW executive members stand nearby.

As members of the AlbertaSW executive look on, secretary-treasurer Sahra Nodge presents a thank-you bouquet to longtime executive director Bev Thornton.

Hannah Noerenberg © 2026 Shootin’ the Breeze

Shawn Patience, former Fort Macleod mayor, echoed the sentiment. He remembers being elected to council in 1989, when local governments rarely spoke to one another.

Working through AlbertaSW taught him “it is to our benefit to work together,” he said. “We are not competitors, we are allies.”

Informal conversations over dinner indicated how much attendees appreciate the opportunity to gather.

Today, AlbertaSW brings together municipal staff and elected officials from Glenwood, Hill Spring and Cowley with those from organizations like Heritage Crowsnest, Alberta Innovates, the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta and many others.

Sahra Nodge, a Pincher Creek town councillor, was reconfirmed as secretary-treasurer, with Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter continuing as chair and Claresholm Mayor Brad Schlossberger as vice-chair.

Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic said, “Getting this many people and players organized for 25 years is no small feat.”

Great ideas, she said, come directly from people who understand what is needed in communities and who work to make things happen.

“That kind of insight is invaluable,” she said.

Guest presenters shared examples of projects they are working on.

Brad Donaldson, president and CEO of Lethbridge Polytechnic, referenced his school’s motto: Preparing Learners, Shaping Communities. He explained how recent modernization work supports the school’s new course offerings.

By adding 23 programs, including pre-veterinary medicine, the polytechnic is helping young people access educational opportunities locally so they can build careers in the region, rather than going to larger cities for schooling and settling far from home.

Sean Miles, director of investment development for AlbertaSW, put it this way: “I consider myself a possibilist. I consider what I can do.”

That pragmatic can-do attitude has served the regional alliance well for 25 years and carries forward.

Anniversaries, economic development, Tourism

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the Town of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

News briefs from June 22 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

A wide-ranging discussion on lease conditions, reporting practices and community services shaped Pincher Creek town council’s June 22 meeting.

The most extensive debate centred on a lease agreement between the town and KP Squared Innovative Child Care. Council reviewed several proposed amendments and raised questions about insurance requirements, maintenance responsibilities and financial terms.

Council also considered motions related to councillor reporting practices and advocacy for the Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter Association, along with a land-use bylaw amendment that would allow recreational vehicles as permanent dwellings in mobile home parks under certain conditions.

Child-care lease sent back for revisions

Council spent considerable time reviewing a draft lease agreement between the Town of Pincher Creek and KP Squared Innovative Child Care, with several sections drawing scrutiny over clarity, scope and financial implications.

KP Squared was set to take over two town-owned child care facilities — Canyon Creek Early Learning Centre at 440 Victoria Cres. and Sage Early Learning Centre at 625 McDougall St. — with an intended start date of July 1. The organization would continue operating under the existing lease in the interim.

The draft lease included amendments proposed by KP Squared and additional revisions from administration, particularly in sections dealing with property taxes, insurance obligations, major repairs and trade fixtures.

The tenant proposed language confirming its not-for-profit status and exemption from property taxes, along with revised wording limiting insurance requirements to proof of contents and liability coverage.

One of the most heavily discussed areas was the division of responsibility for building maintenance and major repairs.

The draft clarified the landlord would be responsible for structural components, including the foundation, load-bearing walls, roof system, building envelope and major mechanical systems such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical infrastructure.

It also added provisions stating the tenant would not be responsible for deferred maintenance or pre-existing conditions identified in a building condition report.

Mayor Wayne Oliver questioned whether some provisions extended beyond typical municipal leasing practice, including automobile liability and business interruption insurance requirements, suggesting they could add unnecessary costs for the tenant.

Council also examined the structure of rent payments and administrative fees, including a $500 late-payment charge that some members described as excessive for a community-based organization.

Administration confirmed the draft was intended to provide a legal framework for council direction, with final cleanup to follow council input.

Council directed administration to amend the draft lease and return it for further review before final approval.

Agendas to include councillor reports

Council passed a motion directing administration to revise the council procedural bylaw to require written councillor reports be included in meeting agendas. The motion originated from a notice of motion from Coun. Valerie Wynder at the June 8 meeting.

Wynder said her goal was straightforward. She wanted councillors’ activities documented and accessible to the public.

Administration recommended reports appear in agendas rather than minutes, noting this approach would be more efficient and make the material easier to find.

Council debated whether reports should be submitted at every regular meeting or only at committee-of-the-whole meetings once a month. Coun. Mark Barber favoured the monthly approach.

Oliver said written reporting could improve public visibility of council work, noting regular council meetings likely attract more public attention than committee-of-the-whole sessions.

The majority agreed regular council meetings were the better venue. The bylaw revision will come back to council for first reading.

Support for women’s shelter

Council voted to waive utility bills for the Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter Association until further notice. The decision came after the association’s board members appeared before council June 8 to outline the potential impact of recent provincial funding cuts on its operations.

Coun. Sahra Nodge raised the possibility of indirect support through utility relief, describing the shelter’s role as a vital community service.

“It would be a small amount that could support their operations without having to do a direct financial contribution, in addition to advocacy on their behalf,” she said.

The association serves women and children fleeing family violence, covering Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, Cardston and other communities across the region.

The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters has warned that funding-model changes could reduce shelter options in rural Alberta.

RV zoning amendment advances

Council gave first reading to a land-use bylaw amendment that would allow recreational vehicles to be used as permanent residential dwellings in the town’s manufactured and mobile home parks under discretionary-use provisions.

The amendment would also revise the definition of recreational vehicles to include potential permanent residential occupancy where approved and update related zoning language.

The application was submitted by a resident.

Oliver described the first reading as putting the matter on the table. He noted the fire chief had expressed concerns about safety issues related to propane storage with year-round RV occupancy.

Coun. Valerie Wynder asked whether park model trailers could be included in the amendment. Legislative services manager Lisa Goss said the question could be addressed in the department report prepared ahead of the public hearing.

She also said property tax assessments apply to individual units and their owners, not to the mobile home parks, unless the park owner chooses otherwise.

Council approved scheduling a public hearing for July 27 before second and third readings are considered.

Correspondence and information

Council received several items as information, including correspondence from Lethbridge Family Services confirming the expansion of counselling services to Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass, a call for municipalities to host the 2027 Alberta Development Officers Association conference, and updates on upcoming events and available grant opportunities.

Child Care, Municipal Governance, Recreational Vehicles, Women’s Shelters

A sign that says "welcome to Pincher Creek" with the town in the background.

Downtown visibility effort raises fairness concerns

Written on . Posted in Business & Economy, Civic & Government.

A slowdown in customer traffic on Main Street prompted a group of Pincher Creek business owners to seek the town’s help in attracting more visitors downtown, but the pitch didn’t go quite as planned.

After local merchants proposed a town-funded brochure promoting 23 downtown shops, councillors agreed the concept had potential but said it needed broader consultation, more inclusive business representation and a cohesive marketing strategy before public money could be committed.

In the meantime, council directed administration to look at improvements to existing downtown signage while broader branding discussions continue.

Mayor Wayne Oliver said the requests included creating a promotional brochure and improving signage directing visitors to Main Street. He said both projects could be covered within existing budgets.

“I met with a couple of business owners on Main Street. They’ve seen a decrease in foot traffic on Main Street businesses this year, and they’ve proposed creating some awareness of some of the good things that we have,” he said.

The brochure presented lists 23 downtown businesses and a map to show their location on Main Street.

It also includes a brief history of downtown Pincher Creek, tracing the community’s roots from Indigenous Peoples of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations through the arrival of the North West Mounted Police and the ranching and railway era of the late 1800s.

The proposal called for printing 5,000 copies for distribution in local hotels and other visitor spots.

Oliver said the estimated cost is about $2,000 — roughly $1,400 for the outer brochure and $600 for the insert, or about 40 cents per copy.

A question of fairness

Council’s questions came quickly, many circling the same concern: if the town pays, who gets left out?

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she was confused about the origin of the brochure and whether it was a town product or a private one. That distinction, she said, mattered. She also questioned whether the town should fund a publication that highlights some businesses while leaving others out.

“If this is a Town of Pincher Creek product, we need to be aware that the things we include and don’t include have an impact on businesses in our community,” she said.

If the brochure becomes a town publication, Nodge said, council must ensure businesses are treated fairly. She noted businesses that were omitted and said those decisions could create the appearance of favouritism.

She also questioned some of the brochure’s content.

“In terms of imagery, I think it’s a little bit misleading to have an ice cream cone [on the brochure] when they don’t have any ice cream businesses in town,” Nodge said.

Coun. Gordon McMullen said the Royal Canadian Legion was also overlooked.

“They’ve always got signs out inviting everybody in,” McMullen said. “If it’s brought up to them, they would be willing to probably fund some of it too.”

Coun. Valerie Wynder asked whether the business owners behind the brochure had connected with the local chamber of commerce or with the South Canadian Rockies Tourism Association, a regional destination management organization with access to tourism grants.

“As a council, it doesn’t look great for us to cherry-pick certain businesses. We want to support the whole thing,” she said.

Coun. Brian McGillivray raised the question of fairness beyond downtown. If the town funded promotion for Main Street businesses, he said, it would have to consider doing the same for businesses elsewhere in Pincher Creek.

“If we’re going to pay for it, it should be inclusive rather than exclusive,” he said.

Is a brochure the answer?

McGillivray went further, questioning whether the brochure would make a meaningful difference at all.

“This isn’t going to build business downtown,” McGillivray said. “What we need to consider is that the real reason why business is shrinking is because people are out of money.”

He said spending patterns at local grocery stores reflected broader economic strain, with shoppers shifting to lower-cost brands. Some businesses, he said, had seen sales drop by as much as 50 per cent.

Nodge pushed for a more strategic approach. Rather than producing one-off promotional pieces, she said the town should develop a cohesive brand — one where billboards, brochures, online content and regional partnerships all tell the same story.

“I want them to be really pretty and really connected,” Nodge said. “A whole branded promotional strategy rather than one-offs that look different all over the place.”

Wynder added that cohesive regional branding could also strengthen future grant applications.

“When we can show regional collaboration, that makes us look more attractive to granting,” she said.

She suggested the town reach out to Alberta Southwest Regional Alliance and the MD of Pincher Creek as potential partners.

Oliver said the brochure should be viewed as an early draft intended to start a conversation rather than a finished product.

Council accepted the report as information without approving funding for the brochure.

Signage gets a closer look

Oliver noted a sign near the Heritage Inn directing traffic from Waterton Lakes National Park is faded and partially obscured by trees. A second sign on Main Street heading south is almost entirely hidden by overgrown bushes. A third sign on Highway 3, between Highway 785 and Pincher Station, has carried a graffiti tag for more than 20 years.

Coun. Mark Barber said the signage work shouldn’t wait for a full branding exercise to be completed.

“The downtown vendors and stores are really struggling right now,” he said. “If we can do anything, if they feel that better signage would help, I’d like to get on top of it sooner rather than later.”

Konrad Dunbar, the town’s chief administrative officer, said addressing the existing signs was already on the town’s to-do list. He recommended separating the immediate maintenance work — trimming trees, washing signs, touching up paint — from any larger rebranding effort, which he said would be better addressed during budget discussions.

Council agreed and passed a motion directing administration to examine the costs of improving existing downtown signage, with a focus on rebranding and consistency.

Business Promotion, Downtown Revitalization, Municipal Branding

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the Town of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

News briefs from May 25 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Community Life.

A decision on new funding for the Pincher Creek Curling Club was put on hold, two properties were set for public auction and the town’s electricity franchise agreement was renewed for five years at town council’s May 25 regular meeting.

Mayor Wayne Oliver and Couns. Mark Barber, Bernice Cyr, Brian McGillivray, Sahra Nodge and Valerie Wynder were present. Coun. Gordon McMullen was absent.

Curling club funding request deferred

Council’s longest discussion centred on the curling club’s request for additional municipal support. The project is roughly $1.8 million short of the amount needed to complete construction of a new rink.

Oliver said administration did not provide a recommendation. Instead, council received several possible funding approaches and supporting documents for consideration.

McGillivray said a complete record of council motions on the rink project, dating back to 2018, was missing from the agenda package.

“I went through it twice yesterday and I could not find it,” McGillivray said, adding he was not prepared to vote on a funding question of that magnitude without that historical record.

He made the motion to postpone further discussion until June 8 and several councillors also identified information they would like before making a decision.

Cyr requested updated projections on fundraising, year-round building use and future revenue generation.

Wynder asked what would happen to provincial grant funding if the project is not completed. She also questioned whether council had received a formal request outlining exactly how much additional funding the club is seeking from the town.

“I just don’t feel like we’ve had a really formal ask there,” she said.

Oliver said residents had also raised questions about whether the project’s reported shortfall includes demolition costs for the old curling rink and expenses related to relocating the ice plant.

Council voted 5-1, with Nodge opposed, to postpone any vote on additional municipal support until June 8.

Two properties headed for public auction

Council approved terms and conditions for the town’s 2026 tax arrears recovery public auction. Two properties could be offered for sale if outstanding taxes remain unpaid.

The auction is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. in council chambers.

Property owners can redeem their land by paying all arrears, penalties and costs until the property is officially declared sold.

The town established reserve bids based on assessed market values. This includes $355,100 for a property listed as Plan 8089JK, Lot 274 and $28,600 for a property listed as Plan 850IB, MHPK, Lot 21.

Administration noted the properties would be sold on an “as is, where is” basis and purchasers would be responsible for taxes, utilities, registration fees and obtaining vacant possession.

Fortis electricity franchise renewed

Council directed administration to proceed with a five-year renewal of the town’s franchise agreement with FortisAlberta for the provision of electricity. The current intermediate term expires at the end of December.

The original agreement began in 2017 with a 20-year overall term, including scheduled renewal periods.

Discussion focused on whether alternative models for electricity service could exist in the future.

“You’d have to come up with the capital to purchase all of the poles and wire, the infrastructure,” chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said. “It’s quite the process.”

McGillivray suggested the town could explore acting as a local electricity retailer, essentially as a middleman between the distributor and residents, instead of residents relying on outside retailers.

Nodge said the issue generated community interest during the previous term of council. Some residents explored whether profits from such a venture could fund a local granting program for non-profit groups.

Dunbar said he would research the idea further.

Cyr raised concerns about deteriorating electrical hookups in some of the town’s mobile-home parks.

Dunbar said infrastructure on private property is the responsibility of the property owner, not FortisAlberta, once it crosses the property line. Oliver suggested complaints in those cases would need to originate from residents themselves.

Financial reports show strong revenues in 2025

Council accepted several quarterly financial reports as information, including year-end 2025 operating summaries and first-quarter 2026 financial statements.

The fourth-quarter operating reports for 2025 show the town ended the year with total revenue of just over $15.1 million against total expenses of about $15.2 million, leaving an operating shortfall of roughly $55,800 before other items.

User fees and sales of goods reached about $3.46 million in 2025, well above budgeted amounts, while licence and permit revenues finished at more than double projections.

On the expense side, total spending of $15.17 million came in about $1.13 million under budget, as several departments underspent their allocations. Administration and legislative costs both came in well below budget.

Recreation and culture remained the town’s largest spending category at about $5.59 million against a budget of $4.25 million .

The largest expense overage was salaries, wages and benefits, which came in at $6.76 million, roughly $1.72 million over the budgeted $5.04 million.

Transfers to organizations came in well under budget at $1.70 million against a budgeted $3.79 million.

After accounting for capital transfers and other items, the town recorded a net surplus of about $14,700 for the year, compared to a surplus of $213,700 in 2024.

The first-quarter operating statements for 2026, covering the three months ending March 31, were also accepted as information. The figures reflect expected seasonal patterns, with most revenue and expense lines tracking well below their annual budgets.

Total expenses for the first quarter stand at about $3.42 million, or about 25 per cent of the annual budget of $13.4 million.

Transfers to organizations tracked at nearly 100 per cent of their first-quarter budget at just over $1.01 million, reflecting timing of scheduled grant and transfer payments early in the year.

On the revenue side, the first-quarter total showed a negative figure due to the timing of property tax billing, which administration said is standard practice and not a cause for concern.

User fees, franchise fees and licences and permits were all tracking in the range of 17 to 70 per cent of annual budgets for the period.

Seniors Week and community events

Dunbar advised council that the Fred Huddleston Senior Centre board is hosting events to mark Alberta Seniors Week, running June 1 to 8. This included a Coffee With Council event on June 2, which Cyr and Barber agreed to attend.

Council also received invitations to the Pincher Creek Rodeo Parade on Aug. 15 and Elkford’s Wildcat Days Parade on June 27.

Barber expressed interest in attending the Elkford parade again this year.

Councillors also discussed a provincial Built Together grant opportunity offering five $50,000 community grants across Alberta. Oliver suggested administration pass the information to the curling club.

Council also noted Creating Inclusive Community Spaces, a free bystander intervention workshop scheduled for June 9 at 1 p.m. at Lebel Mansion.

Wynder encouraged community members, organizations and businesses to take part, describing it as practical training on how to safely support people who feel threatened without escalating a situation.

Alberta Seniors’ Week, Bystander Intervention, Community Events, Community Grants, Curling Rink, Electricity Franchise Agreements, Financial Reports, Municipal Funding, Municipal Governance, Tax Arrears

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the" at the top and "Town of Pincher Creek" at the bottom, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a curved meeting table in the center.

News briefs from May 11 town council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Community Life.

More than 80 Town of Pincher Creek policies could soon be rewritten, combined or scrapped altogether after council unanimously approved funding for a comprehensive review aimed at modernizing the municipality’s governance framework.

Council voted during its May 11 regular meeting to authorize Transitional Solutions Inc. to complete the overhaul. Administration said the work is needed to clear outdated documents, improve consistency and support a shift toward a more policy-driven budgeting model.

The decision came after council heard that many of the town’s existing policies are outdated or no longer aligned with current operations and that internal capacity alone would not be enough to complete the level of review required.

Council also spent significant time debating a draft joint-use agreement with Livingstone Range School Division.

Coun. Gordon McMullen was absent from the meeting.

Council approves $30,000 for policy overhaul

Council approved up to $30,000 from the municipal income stabilization reserve to hire Transitional Solutions Inc. to complete a full policy review and rewrite.

Administration told council the town currently has more than 80 policies, many of which are outdated, inconsistent or no longer required.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said the scope of the review would be too large for internal staff to complete in a reasonable timeframe.

“We’ve got a lot of them, most of them probably just need to be rescinded,” he said, adding the consultant would help streamline, combine and modernize the policy framework.

Councillors supported the move. Mayor Wayne Oliver said bringing in outside expertise with a broader provincial perspective was the right call.

Council approved the motion unanimously.

Joint-use agreement draws lengthy debate

Council spent the most time reviewing a draft joint use and planning agreement with Livingstone Range School Division. The document, required under the Municipal Government Act, is intended to formalize shared use of municipal and school facilities.

Councillors raised concerns about timelines, implementation details and whether the draft provided enough opportunity for input before provincial deadlines.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she was “a little disappointed” the agreement came forward for approval without more time for review, noting the issue has been discussed at joint council meetings for several years.

Despite concerns, administration and council members noted municipalities across Alberta are working under similar timelines and that extensions can be requested if agreements are not finalized.

Oliver said the document was a reasonable starting point and emphasized council still had time to refine it through further feedback.

Coun. Brian McGillivray cautioned against overly complex agreements, saying they should remain as simple as possible while still meeting legislative requirements.

Council ultimately directed administration to amend the draft based on feedback provided and bring it back for further consideration.

Chinook Arch highlights library system value

Council heard a delegation from the Chinook Arch Regional Library System, which emphasized the regional value of shared library services and the return on public investment in library programming.

CEO Robin Hepher told council that research suggests every dollar invested in public libraries generates about $6 in economic return through services that support literacy, employment, social services and community programming.

“Your public library is one of the best public dollars you can spend in terms of the impact it has on your community,” Hepher said.

The system includes 40 member municipalities across southern Alberta. Chinook Arch handles behind-the-scenes services such as cataloguing, purchasing, IT support and interlibrary delivery.

The system moves roughly 600,000 items annually through its delivery network, covering about 80,000 kilometres per year.

The delegation also raised a pending request to return the per-capita levy to pre-pandemic levels of $8.17, up from the current $7.76, which would cost the Town of Pincher Creek roughly $1,500 annually.

The increase requires approval from two-thirds of member councils, representing two-thirds of the total population served. That threshold effectively gives the City of Lethbridge, which accounts for just over 50 per cent of the system’s total population, a veto over any levy change.

A previous levy increase request was declined by Lethbridge.

Gas co-operative introduces itself to council

Council also heard from representatives of Chief Mountain Gas Co-op Ltd., a regional natural gas distributor, who provided an overview of operations across multiple municipalities and its history of serving the region since the 1970s.

The presentation included discussion of infrastructure, customer service and expansion through previous acquisitions of related mechanical and HVAC services in Pincher Creek.

Councillors questioned whether residents could switch providers and what process would be required. Representatives indicated a change would require a formal approval process, potentially including a vote.

Coun. Brian McGillivray said council should at least explore whether alternative arrangements could result in savings for taxpayers. He said he would like to see more information on what such a process would involve.

Arena signage

In his CAO report, Dunbar told council a review of arena signage could likely be handled within the existing operating budget, with costs expected to amount to only a few thousand dollars at most.

He said the plan is to remove the signs, obtain a quote while they are already down, and report back to council once the work is complete.

Tax help sessions on the horizon

Dunbar also reminded council of the annual tax assistance sessions held in the last week of June, where councillors sit with residents to answer questions ahead of the June 30 tax deadline.

He asked for direction on the format and scheduling of this year’s sessions. Councillors directed administration to prepare and circulate a schedule with proposed time slots for council participation.

School sponsorship approved after redirect motion fails

Council approved a $350 sponsorship renewal for Matthew Halton High School’s athletics program after an initial motion to redirect the request through the town’s joint funding process failed to carry.

The school wrote to council seeking renewal of a gym banner sponsorship, noting the town’s banner had been displayed since November rather than August due to a maintenance backlog. As a gesture of goodwill, the school offered the renewal at a reduced rate of $350, down from $400.

A motion by Coun. McGillivray to send a thank-you letter and redirect the school to the joint funding process was supported only by McGillivray and Coun. Bernice Cyr, and did not carry.

Coun. Mark Barber then moved that council approve the request as presented, which carried.

Correspondence and updates received

A letter from Lindsey Johnson, co-ordinator with Pincher Creek and District Family and Community Support Services, invited council members to attend a community conversation on seniors’ needs, organized by the Lethbridge Family Services Link program. Nodge expressed interest in attending.

Council also received several items for information, including an update from AltaLink confirming the 185L and 412L transmission line rebuild project north of the community has been delayed to 2029 due to funding changes, with no other project changes reported.

Council was informed of wildfire safety planning updates from AltaLink and changes to Alberta’s recycling system under Extended Producer Responsibility, which will transition municipalities to a provincewide single-stream recycling model, effective Oct. 1.

Council accepted the correspondence as information.

Community Sponsorship, Extended Producer Responsibility, Joint-Use Agreements, Library Services, Municipal Governance, Policy Review, Public Libraries

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the Town of Pincher Creek" on the left, featuring an image of a large statue of blue pincers in a flower bed.

News briefs from April 27 town council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Community Life.

Pincher Creek property owners will see an average increase of about $322 on their tax bills this year after town council passed the 2026 property tax bylaw at its April 27 regular meeting.

Council gave Bylaw 1620-26 all three readings in a single sitting, authorizing the town to collect $5.66 million in municipal property taxes for 2026 — a 7.82 per cent increase over last year.

“The average property tax increases are going to be about $322. Some people are going to be more, some people are going to be less, just depending on the value of your house,” said Wendy Catonio, director of corporate services.

Only three per cent of the total is a municipal tax hike of roughly $163,000, with the remainder being higher provincial requisitions for education and policing that are collected and passed on.

The education requisition alone jumped 19 per cent over 2025, adding $333,772 to the town’s obligations. Catonio attributed the shift to the province’s decision to download more education funding costs onto municipalities rather than collecting them through provincial taxes.

The Pincher Creek Foundation requisition for Crestview Lodge also rose nine per cent, adding another $20,284.

Despite the overall increase, the residential tax rate decreased by 0.3870 and the non-residential rate by 0.0591, meaning properties that did not rise significantly in value may see a smaller-than-average increase.

Clean financial audit

Council unanimously approved the town’s 2025 audited consolidated financial statements, receiving what auditors described as “unmodified” or clean reports.

Catonio said the audit, conducted by KPMG, found the municipality’s financial statements present fairly in all material respects and comply with Canadian public-sector accounting standards.

The town reported total financial assets of $14.5 million at the end of 2025, up from $12.4 million the previous year, largely driven by increased cash and short-term investments.

Cash flow from operating activities and investment proceeds contributed to the rise, offset in part by spending on capital projects and debt repayment.

Total financial liabilities were $5.4 million, up from $4.1 million in 2024, due largely to increases in accounts payable and deferred revenue.

Non-financial assets, which include tangible capital assets such as infrastructure, dipped slightly to $50 million from $51 million, as amortization outpaced new asset additions during the year.

The statements also incorporate finances of the Pincher Creek Community Early Learning Centre, meaning grants, wages and other figures related to the centre are consolidated into the town’s overall numbers.

Budget adjustments reflect higher costs

Council approved adjustments to the 2026 operating budget, reflecting updated figures and corrections to earlier administrative oversights.

The most significant adjustment involves Pincher Creek Emergency Services, whose payment to the town came in $158,262 higher than in 2025.

Council agreed to draw that amount from reserves rather than pass it directly to taxpayers, reasoning the spike was a direct consequence of two large fires in 2024 and was unlikely to recur.

The education requisition was $333,748 higher than the previous year, while the Pincher Creek Foundation requisition came in $5,299 above the budgeted estimate and the policing payment was $12,191 higher than estimated.

New property tax growth of $24,078 above the original estimate was transferred to reserves.

Catonio said some adjustments were technical and did not affect overall taxation, including corrections related to funding sources for asphalt and sidewalk work, and the conclusion of MD contributions toward the early learning centre.

Council debates naming of municipal facilities

Council directed administration to develop options and cost estimates for updated signage across the Memorial Community Centre complex — restoring the full name to a facility increasingly referred to simply as the MCC.

This follows a March 23 closed-session discussion about renaming the arena after an individual. While administration reported there are no provincial rules governing how municipalities name or rename their facilities, discussion shifted toward reclaiming the original name rather than replacing it.

Mayor Wayne Oliver suggested using Memorial Arena to better reflect the site’s historical significance, noting the name has gradually fallen out of common use.

Coun. Brian McGillivray made a case for restoring the name with dignity.

“I think we’re doing those who fought and died for our freedom an injustice to simply label just the arena,” he says. “I think it’s the entire complex.”

He moved the complex be rebranded with proper, prominent signage befitting its meaning — a motion that drew broad support.

Coun. Sahra Nodge agreed the discussion raised a wider point about how Pincher Creek uses and remembers its own history. She called on council to develop a formal framework before proceeding with future naming of facilities after individuals, so decisions are guided by clear criteria rather than becoming popularity contests.

Coun. Bernice Cyr suggested the signage could also incorporate references to women’s contributions and Indigenous history connected to the memorial concept, pointing to research done in connection with the Famous Five and their role in advancing women’s rights in Canada.

Regional health-care contribution approved

Council agreed to contribute $5 per capita, about $19,500, to Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s Bringing Hearts Home campaign, which aims to strengthen cardiac-care services across southern Alberta.

While philosophically supportive of the campaign’s goals, Coun. Nodge was troubled by the funding model.

“I have a problem with provincial downloading of health-care services to municipal taxpayers,” she said.

Cyr suggested the town should give the same amount it gives to STARS air ambulance, as multiple agencies provide emergency response in the region.

McGillivray and Coun. Valerie Wynder both advocated for the full $5-per-capita amount.

Wynder noted the initiative is a one-time expense and pointed to statistics suggesting residents in the region face a significantly higher risk of dying from a cardiac event than those in urban centres.

Funding for 4-H and soccer

Council approved two community donation requests.

Foothills 4-H Beef Club, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, received $500 to help fund a special event. Hunter McMullen, president of the club, had appeared before council April 13 to outline the club’s history and the significance of the milestone.

Pincher Creek Soccer Association was awarded $500 to assist with its youth tournament, which is expected to draw teams from across the region and involve hundreds of young players.

Bringing Hearts Home, Community Donations, Facility Naming, Financial Audit, Health-Care Funding, Municipal Budget, Property Taxes, Youth Sports

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the Town of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

News briefs from April 13 town council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Community Life.

Pincher Creek town council heard updates on record-breaking visitation to Waterton Lakes National Park, discussed future land-use options for the old fire hall property and approved a community donation during its regular meeting on April 13.

Council also received presentations from Waterton Lakes officials and 4-H members, and dealt with regional collaboration and emergency management matters.

Waterton addresses rising visitation

Officials from Waterton Lakes National Park told council the park set a new attendance record in 2025, welcoming about 585,000 visitors — an increase of roughly eight per cent.

More than half of those visitors arrived during July and August, with September also seeing growing demand. The park is working to manage increased pressure on infrastructure and staffing, particularly during peak periods.

“We’re trying to figure out how to encourage people to come at some of our less busy times of year, whether it’s during the week in the summertime, or spring and fall, and still have a similar experience,” said the park’s visitor experience manager, Christy Gustavison.

New measures aimed at improving visitor experience and managing higher volumes include developing a long-range visitor use management framework and exploring options such as paid parking, timed or reservable entry and transportation partnerships. Public engagement is expected in coming months.

To further support visitor convenience and reduce congestion, Waterton plans to improve traffic communication with electronic signage outside the park and real-time updates through Alberta 511. The measures are intended to help travellers make informed decisions before reaching the park, particularly during peak weekends.

These changes could have a spillover effect in Pincher Creek, as visitors may spend time in the community if access to the park is temporarily restricted.

4-H club marking milestone year

Foothills 4-H Beef Club appeared before council, highlighting the group’s upcoming 80th anniversary and requesting financial support for its annual achievement day.

Club president Hunter McMullen said the event is an opportunity for members to showcase their work and celebrate their accomplishments with the community.

“For 80 years, our club has been helping grow young people in our community through 4-H,” he said, noting members gain skills in responsibility, teamwork and communication.

Councillors offered suggestions for additional fundraising, including reaching out to past members and local organizations.

Regional summit attendance confirmed

Mayor Wayne Oliver and Couns. Bernice Cyr and Valerie Wynder will attend the Infrastructure Services Regional Summit in Lethbridge later this month.

Municipal leaders from across southern Alberta will discuss shared challenges and opportunities in areas such as water services, waste management and procurement.

Old fire hall zoning discussed

Council discussed potential land-use options for the old fire hall property, which is currently designated as public and institutional.

The conversation was prompted by a request from the Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission for guidance on types of development council may support at the site.

Several councillors expressed a preference for residential uses, citing the surrounding neighbourhood. Coun. Brian McGillivray said he would not support industrial or commercial development in the area.

Wynder suggested that a comprehensive mixed-use designation could be considered, allowing for limited commercial activity that aligns with the character of the area.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she is open to a broader range of uses but cautioned against heavy industrial development, emphasizing the need to balance economic opportunities with neighbourhood impacts.

Oliver noted general agreement against heavy industrial uses, while opinions on commercial development remained mixed.

Council accepted the report as information and decided not to issue a formal letter, citing the need to remain open-minded during any future rezoning process. Instead, council representatives will communicate general feedback informally to the commission.

Administration indicated that a typical rezoning process takes three to four months.

Emergency management appointment

Council approved the appointment of Michelle Stuart as deputy regional director of emergency management, following a recommendation from the Pincher Creek Regional Emergency Advisory Committee.

The role supports co-ordinated emergency planning and response across the town and MD of Pincher Creek and the village of Cowley.

Council supports basketball team

Council voted to provide a $500 donation to the Matthew Halton senior girls basketball team, which recently won silver at the provincial championships.

Oliver suggested the town match support from the MD.

While some concern was raised about setting a precedent for future funding requests, other councillors spoke in favour of recognizing the team’s achievement.

“I think we should celebrate the success of the athletes of our community,” said Nodge.

Tourism forum

Cyr and Nodge will attend a regional tourism discussion hosted by the South Canadian Rockies Tourism Association. The session will focus on and findings from a recent resident sentiment survey.

Emergency Management, Land Use, Municipal Governance, Tourism, Youth Sports

An image of a red helicopter, that says "STARS" on the side, parked on the ground.

Municipal support for STARS air ambulance rises in Pincher Creek

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek’s municipal leaders are reinforcing their longstanding support for STARS air ambulance after both the town and MD councils voted to increase their annual contributions.

The town approved an increase at its Feb. 23 meeting, raising its annual support to $8,000 starting in 2027. The MD followed a day later, increasing its contribution to $7,000.

Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service, better known as STARS, is an air ambulance service that operates around the clock across Western Canada, providing emergency medical transport for people in life-threatening situations.

Earlier in February, STARS representative Jackie Seely appeared before both councils. She outlined the organization’s history, funding model and recent service activity in the region.

Since 2021, STARS has flown 89 missions in the Pincher Creek area, including 47 interfacility transfers from the local hospital and 14 scene calls in the surrounding area.

Presenting before town council on Feb. 9, she thanked the council for its longstanding financial commitment, describing it as a regional leader in support.

The Town of Pincher Creek currently contributes $7,300 annually to STARS, a figure based on about $2 per capita. However, following Seely’s presentation, Mayor Wayne Oliver raised the possibility of revisiting that contribution level.

Coun. Sahra Nodge suggested that the matter return through a notice of motion and Oliver agreed to bring it back for consideration.

On Feb. 23, Oliver said the target was always to contribute around $2 per person.

“According to the Alberta government, our population is in and around 3,900,” he said. “So I’m proposing that we top that up a little bit so that we maintain a level of funding that is just over.”

Oliver added that because the 2027 budget has not yet been set, it is an appropriate time to consider an adjustment.

Council subsequently directed administration to increase the funding for STARS to $8,000 per year beginning in 2027.

At the MD of Pincher Creek’s Feb. 10 meeting, council listened to Seely deliver her annual presentation and considered the request for $7,000 as a standing motion.

During its Feb. 24 regular meeting, council revisited its contribution level. The MD currently contributes $6,000 annually, a figure aligned with the $2-per-capita model. However, with a reported 2023 population of 3,240, that contribution now falls below the benchmark.

MD council moved to increase its annual contribution to $7,000 as a standing motion, a decision that administration noted would position the municipality as a regional leader in support of the service.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, emergency services

Two travellers with luggage arriving at a short-term rental property

Town council reviews short-term rental rules, compliance

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

How many guests is too many for a short-term rental in Pincher Creek?

That question prompted discussion at the Feb. 23 regular meeting of town council, where members examined whether to place a cap on occupancy for non-owner occupied short-term rentals and how to address a growing number of unregistered units operating in the community.

While no decision was made, the open conversation highlighted concerns about parking pressures in residential areas, neighbourhood impacts, hotel competition and enforcement of registration requirements under the town’s land use bylaw.

Mayor Wayne Oliver introduced the topic, explaining it arose from a recent MDSA application seeking approval for 12 occupants in a short-term rental. Because only three of seven council members sit on the MDSA, Oliver said the board wanted broader input from council on what it envisions for short-term rentals in Pincher Creek and whether a cap on guest numbers should be considered.

He provided background on how short-term rentals are defined in the town’s land use bylaw, clarifying that a short-term rental is defined as a stay under 28 days.

Oliver distinguished that from a boarding house, where the homeowner resides in the dwelling and has five or more unrelated individuals staying there, and from a bed and breakfast, which typically involves stays under 14 days with the owner present and breakfast provided.

He also explained the bylaw recognizes two types of short-term rentals: Type 1, which is owner occupied, and Type 2, which is non-owner occupied and involves renting out the entire home.

“There’s no language at all about the number of occupants,” Oliver said, noting that applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Coun. Brian McGillivray said the discussion was prompted in part by past applications seeking high occupancy numbers. He referenced a previous proposal for 28 occupants in a single-family dwelling, which was declined.

More recently, the MDSA considered an application for 12 occupants in what would typically be a three-bedroom home with an additional bedroom developed in the basement.

McGillivray said that using a general assumption of two people per vehicle, such a rental could result in multiple vehicles in an R1 residential area.

“Where are all these cars going to park?” he asked.

He suggested council consider discussing what density is appropriate in order to protect the “reasonable pleasure and enjoyment” of neighbouring residents.

The conversation also shifted to the overall number of short-term rentals in town. The land use bylaw allows short-term rentals up to about three per cent of dwellings, which Oliver clarified equates to about 41 units.

Administration provided council with a map showing registered operators and estimated locations of unregistered listings. Chief Administrative Officer Konrad Dunbar noted the information on unregistered units was approximate.

“We had to make some assumptions upon the non-registered ones,” Dunbar said, adding staff did not want to be seen as accusing anyone if information was inaccurate.

McGillivray said the number of unregistered units and operators was concerning.

“There’s actually more non-registered than registered in the town of Pincher Creek, which I think is a crying shame,” he said.

Oliver suggested council could consider directing administration to begin educating operators about registration requirements, possibly through a “friendly information” approach advising them they are required to obtain a permit.

Coun. Mark Barber expressed concerns about the impacts of short-term rentals on residents and the long-term rental market. He said he regularly hears complaints related to parking and garbage.

“You hear all the negative. I don’t hear any of the positive,” Barber said, adding he would be supportive of returning more units to long-term rental or ownership.

Coun. Gordon McMullen, however, spoke in favour of short-term rentals, citing a recent basketball tournament in town.

“There was not hotel rooms available. I know two families from Elk River that rented a short-term place,” he said. “Hotel owners, if they’re complaining that these things are hurting them, I don’t agree with that, because you cannot get a hotel room in this town right now.”

Oliver added that after speaking with several hotel operators, he was told their markets differ from short-term rentals and that most did not express concerns about competition. He noted one smaller operator did raise concerns about fairness and ensuring short-term rentals meet similar tax and safety standards.

Council then debated whether to establish a firm occupancy cap. McGillivray suggested six occupants might be reasonable in a typical three-bedroom home, while Oliver indicated a number between six and eight could be considered.

Coun. Valerie Wynder cautioned that limits of six or eight may be too restrictive for families travelling with youth sports teams.

“As a person who has kids playing sports, six or eight sounds too small,” she said. “If you’re packing a minivan full of kids or two, you can fit a lot of kids into a house for a reasonable amount of money and with two vehicles.”

Coun. Sahra Nodge supported maintaining the current case-by-case approach.

“My preference would be to look at the house itself case by case and situation, which is what the MDSA is currently empowered to do, instead of putting it into a regulation with a hard and fast rule,” she said.

Nodge also expressed support for bringing unregistered operators into compliance and gathering better data before making regulatory changes.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

 

Alberta | AB, Housing, short-term rentals

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the" at the top and "Town of Pincher Creek" at the bottom, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a curved meeting table in the center.

Town council briefs: Heritage Acres grants, joint meeting agenda

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Heritage Acres Farm Museum is preparing for a busy season after securing multiple grants, representatives told Pincher Creek town council Feb. 23.

The museum secured funding through several sources, including Travel Alberta, the Alberta Museum Association and a tractor education program supporting 12 youths from Livingstone Range School Division.

The Travel Alberta grant will support a professional redisplay of the museum’s large tractor exhibit building, with the redesigned space expected to open May 1. Delegates said the firm involved works with regional museums and prioritizes using local businesses.

Additional funding will support groundskeeping, building maintenance and accessibility improvements to the homesteading area.

Upcoming events include a traditional square dance, the annual fair in July, a harvest event featuring Connie Kaldor and a Halloween show.

Delegates thanked the town for providing a letter of support that contributed to the successful applications.

Joint council agenda

Under new business, council discussed potential topics for an upcoming joint council meeting with the MD of Pincher Creek.

Coun. Sahra Nodge raised the Emergency Services Commission master agreement, noting discussions had been paused while the fire hall renovation took priority.

Mayor Wayne Oliver confirmed documentation had recently been submitted to administration and suggested council review it at a future committee of the whole meeting before advancing it to joint council.

Water planning was also flagged as a key topic. Coun. Mark Barber said he would like to see water remain on the agenda “just to keep it moving forward,” referencing earlier discussions about a proposed regional water plan.

Oliver recalled that a study had been underway and suggested requesting an update on its status and next steps, including past conversations about potential extensions of town water services and broader servicing considerations.

Joint funding allocations prompted reflection on how the process has changed over time.

Council directed administration to include emergency services agreements, water planning, joint funding processes and the library expansion proposal on the next joint council agenda.

Other business

Council held an open discussion on short-term rentals, prompted by a recent application seeking occupancy for 12 people in a residential zone. Members appeared supportive of continuing the case-by-case approach while exploring steps to bring unregistered operators into compliance.

Also, council directed administration to increase the town’s annual contribution to STARS air ambulance to $8,000 beginning in 2027, maintaining funding above the organization’s $2-per-capita target as population figures fluctuate.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

 

 

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the" at the top and "Town of Pincher Creek" at the bottom, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a curved meeting table in the center.

Town council advances pay bylaw after review and revisions

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town council has taken the next step toward updating how elected officials are compensated, approving first reading of a revised remuneration bylaw after weeks of review and discussion.

At the town’s Feb. 9 regular meeting, council advanced Bylaw 1578-26, a draft aimed at clarifying pay structures, training compensation and annual cost-of-living adjustments for the mayor and councillors.

The move follows earlier debates that prompted administration to return with clearer language and structural changes intended to standardize how remuneration is calculated and applied.

Background and revisions

The bylaw returned to council after earlier review at a Dec. 3 committee of the whole meeting, where council asked administration to better outline which events are considered preapproved and eligible for compensation.

At the Jan. 26 regular meeting, council again deliberated on the revised bylaw. The substantive change in the draft was the addition of wording stating that the chief elected official and councillors shall receive the amount listed in the bylaw for each preapproved event attended.

The draft also applies existing remuneration rates to those preapproved events.

However, after discussion, council delayed first reading and directed administration to provide additional clarification.

Key areas flagged for revision included defining preapproved events, outlining compensation for training sessions and establishing a framework for annual remuneration adjustments.

Administration’s updated draft introduces a new “annual adjustment” section, which states that remuneration rates will be automatically indexed each Jan. 1, based on the preceding November Consumer Price Index for Canada or Alberta, whichever is higher.

Council had previously expressed interest in embedding a cost-of-living mechanism to avoid repeated debates over pay adjustments.

Changes were also made to the list of preapproved events for which councillors may claim compensation, with Allied Arts annual events removed from eligibility.

The list includes a range of community, regional and ceremonial activities, such as Town of Pincher Creek facility tours, emergency preparedness events, local non-profit annual general meetings, seniors home visits, National Indigenous Peoples Day events, Heritage Acres activities, Chamber of Commerce events and meetings with provincial or federal representatives, among others.

Compensation structure updates

The revised draft maintains the bylaw’s framework covering stipends, meeting rates and expense reimbursements, while adjusting several provisions.

The draft sets monthly stipends at $1,200 for the chief elected official and $600 for councillors.

The meeting rate for regular, special and other council meetings is $235 per meeting. Remuneration for committee meetings and preapproved events is structured the same way. For committee meetings lasting up to three hours, remuneration is $120, increasing to $235 if the meeting exceeds three hours.

Training compensation has been explicitly added in the new draft, with councillors eligible to receive $120 for sessions lasting up to three hours, increasing to $235 for sessions exceeding that threshold.

Meal reimbursement limits have also been increased. Lunch allowances rise to $30 from $25, while supper limits increase to $50 from $35. The full-day maximum has been adjusted to $100, up from $80 in the previous draft.

Mileage reimbursement continues to be tied to the federal Canada Revenue Agency rate, and entertainment, travel and accommodation expenses remain reimbursable at actual cost with receipts.

Council discussion

During discussion, chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar clarified that a previously raised question about mileage reimbursement did not require amendment, as the provision already existed in the bylaw.

Dunbar also provided council with comparative information drawn from an Alberta Municipal Services Corporation remuneration survey.

He explained that while municipalities structure compensation in different ways, making direct comparisons difficult, the survey compiles annual remuneration totals to provide an approximate benchmark.

Mayor Wayne Oliver described the survey as useful background information, noting that council’s intent was not to significantly increase remuneration but to formalize a cost-of-living adjustment and improve clarity.

Coun. Sahra Nodge asked whether the data reflected provincewide figures. Dunbar responded that the comparison focused on municipalities with populations immediately above and below Pincher Creek, creating a middle-range benchmark for context.

Council ultimately voted to give the bylaw first reading, allowing the updated draft to proceed through the legislative process.

The bylaw is expected to return to council for further consideration at a future meeting.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the Town of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

Town addresses emergency services, bylaws, board appointments

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

A presentation on emergency air ambulance services, approval of key municipal bylaws and appointments to the local library board highlighted a wide-ranging Feb. 9 regular meeting of Pincher Creek town council.

The evening opened with a delegation from STARS Air Ambulance. Representative Jackie Seely outlined the organization’s history, funding model and recent service activity connected to the Pincher Creek region.

STARS marked its 40th year of operations in 2025, Seely told council, describing how the service was created after the preventable death of a rural patient highlighted gaps in emergency transport.

“At the time, Dr. Greg Powell was the head of emergency at the Foothills Hospital and he said her death was one too many. So they decided that they needed to get STARS off the ground,” Seely said.

In 1985, STARS flew its first-ever mission, to Lethbridge, for a critically ill newborn child. The organization now operates a fleet of 10 helicopters from six western Canadian bases, including three in Alberta, and works closely with local emergency responders to ensure safe landing zones and co-ordinated care.

In 2003, STARS began using night-vision goggles. Night-vision technology is essential, Seeley said, noting that more than half of STARS missions occur after dark.

Seely said the service has flown 89 missions connected to the Pincher Creek area since 2021, including 47 interfacility transfers from the local hospital and 14 calls in the surrounding area. Cardiac incidents now account for the largest share of missions, surpassing vehicle collisions.

Seely also reviewed the organization’s blended-funding structure, which includes provincial support, donations, fundraising projects and municipal contributions.

She thanked council for its longstanding financial commitment, describing the town as a regional leader in support. The Town of Pincher Creek contributes a fixed rate of $7,300 per year to STARS, based on about $2 per capita.

This support “really helps us have that predictable funding for the future,” she said.

Mayor Wayne Oliver later raised the possibility of revisiting that contribution level, suggesting council may wish to examine whether an increase is appropriate in a future discussion.

Coun. Sahra Nodge advised that the matter should return formally through a notice of motion, and Oliver agreed to bring it back for consideration.

Council then moved into bylaw business, beginning with updates to the Oldman River Regional Services Commission regional assessment review framework. The bylaw governs how property assessment complaints are handled through a shared regional board.

The commission and its member municipalities jointly operate the Regional Assessment Review Board to carry out the responsibilities of both a local assessment review board and a composite assessment review board under the Municipal Government Act, hearing appeals from taxpayers within participating communities.

The agreement has been in place since 2014, with periodic updates to reflect administrative and legislative changes. In 2022, further amendments were recommended following a Municipal Affairs accountability review of the Town of Pincher Creek conducted in 2021.

The current bylaw received first reading last month.

Under the town’s fee structure, appeals are set at $50 for residential properties with three or fewer dwellings and $500 for larger residential or non-residential appeals

Both second and third readings carried without extended debate.

Next, councillors approved the annual municipal borrowing bylaw, a routine measure required by the town’s financial institution. Mayor Oliver explained the process for newer members of council.

“This is something that we see every single year,” Oliver said. “It allows us as a town entity to have a line of credit and a credit card, and the financial institution needs this bylaw approved each and every year.”

The borrowing bylaw authorizes a $1-million revolving line of credit and a $50,000 municipal credit card to finance operating expenditures permitted under provincial legislation.

The line of credit carries an interest rate of prime plus one per cent, and administration has arranged for automatic payment of the credit card balance to avoid interest charges.

Council granted all three readings during the same meeting.

Council also gave first reading to a revised remuneration bylaw governing compensation and reimbursement rules for elected officials. Administration had previously identified areas requiring clarification, including preapproved events, training eligibility and annual adjustment language.

Under new business, council confirmed appointments to the intermunicipal library board following recommendations from the board itself. It looked at a set of formal appointment motions aimed at filling vacancies on the board and confirming council representation.

The recommendations proposed appointing three public members — Gordon Tolton to a one-year term, Sara Hossain to a three-year term and Susan Knight to a one-year term — following a review of applications by the library board.

Additional motions were required to officially designate Coun. Mark Barber as council’s representative to both the Pincher Creek and District Public Library Board and the Chinook Arch Regional Library System Board, in accordance with provincial appointment procedures.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said administration asked the library board to review the applications because board members are best positioned to determine what skills and experience are needed.

He added that separate motions were required to meet provincial appointment procedures.

Coun. Mark Barber provided background on the recommended candidates, noting Tolton has served as a strong contributor to the board for roughly two years and is involved in museum management, bringing valuable experience to the role.

He said Hossain attended board meetings prior to applying and brings relevant library experience, including work with the University of Lethbridge’s library technology services, which he expects will benefit the board.

Barber added that Knight regularly volunteers with both the museum and library and has an extensive professional background as a librarian, and described all three candidates as positive additions to the board and the broader community.

All appointment motions carried.

During administrative reporting, Dunbar highlighted a new public feature allowing residents to subscribe to automated email notifications when council agendas are published.

Those interested can access the subscription option by selecting Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes on the town’s homepage, then clicking the red link directing users to the full agenda archive, where a subscribe button appears in the top-right corner.

Residents may also access the subscription page directly by visiting
pub-pinchercreek.escribemeetings.com.

Dunbar also pointed councillors to an added schedule page intended to help track upcoming community events and planning timelines. Strategic planning meeting dates remain under review, with administration expected to circulate new options.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the Town of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

Town council discusses recreation plan, reviews municipal achievements

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Councillors heard from long-standing community organizations, discussed future recreation planning and reviewed a year of municipal activity during the Town of Pincher Creek’s regular council meeting Jan. 26.

Delegations from Communities in Bloom and Castle Mountain Community Association highlighted volunteer-driven projects ranging from beautification and heritage conservation to trail development and wildfire mitigation, while councillors also began early discussions on updating the town’s recreation master plan.

Council later discussed the remuneration bylaw and decided to delay giving the bylaw first reading after a wide-ranging discussion.

It also received administration’s 2025 year in review report, which outlined major project completions, staffing updates, service trends, and growth indicators across the municipality.

Communities in Bloom highlights decades of involvement

Communities in Bloom chairperson BJ Scott provided council with an overview of the national volunteer-led program, noting that Pincher Creek has participated for more than 30 years.

Scott explained that CIB focuses on improving quality of life through environmental sustainability, green spaces, heritage conservation and community involvement, using a multi-tiered evaluation process conducted by trained volunteer judges.

Pincher Creek first entered Alberta Communities in Bloom in 1989 and later won the provincial title in its population category. The town also won the national competition in 2009 and received a national award for community involvement in 2010.

Scott said the most valuable aspect of the program is not the awards but the detailed evaluations and expert recommendations communities receive after each judging cycle.

She highlighted strong performance in heritage conservation, noting sites such as Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village and Heritage Acres Farm Museum. She also cited floral displays supported by volunteer groups, including the Pincher Planters and the Oldman Rose Society’s rose garden at Lebel Mansion.

Local projects under the Communities in Bloom umbrella include Business in Bloom, Yard of the Month, Tidy Tuesdays, Christmas light judging, Main Street planters, and the self-guided Pincher Creek walking tour.

Scott thanked the town’s recreation and culture department for ongoing administrative support and noted the committee continues to welcome new volunteers.

Castle Mountain Community Association outlines its role

Tim Luke, president of Castle Mountain Community Association, outlined the organization’s role representing about 120 permanent residences and about 50 seasonal residents in the Castle Mountain Resort area.

Luke emphasized that CMCA operates independently from the resort corporation, with a mission focused on fostering a family-oriented, safe and sustainable community experience.

He said the association aims to strengthen connections not only within the resort area, but also with the Town of Pincher Creek, the MD of Pincher Creek and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.

Among its projects, Luke said, CMCA builds and maintains more than 20 kilometres of marked trails that are open to residents and visitors year-round for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Luke also highlighted community events and amenities, including playground funding, New Year’s Eve fireworks with the MD, Easter and Family Day activities and support for resort staff.

He said CMCA donates at least 10 per cent of its fundraising proceeds to charitable causes and contributed more than $5,000 in the past year to organizations including local food banks, women’s shelters, the SPCA and adaptive sports groups. The association has also established the Castle Community Legacy Fund, which currently holds about $60,000 to support future community endeavours.

FireSmart programming was another key focus, with Luke noting the area’s wildfire risk and ongoing efforts that include vegetation management, equipment purchases and grant-supported mitigation work.

During questions, Coun. Mark Barber asked about progress on the new chairlift at Castle Mountain Resort. Luke said the project is nearing completion and is expected to be operational this month around Family Day, pending final testing and approvals.

“I have been telling people from the beginning of the year that it’s going to be ready for Family Day. It’s not optimistic, not pessimistic, but we’re very close. The chairs are on,” he told the council.

Coun. Sahra Nodge asked about the potential transition to a four-season resort. Luke said Castle Mountain Resort Corp. has not yet decided whether to move in that direction, though discussions have helped advance approvals for non-winter recreational uses such as biking.

Recreation master plan update discussed

Under new business, Coun. Gordon McMullen raised the possibility of updating the town’s recreation master plan, noting the Pincher Creek Regional Recreation Advisory Committee believes it may be time for a review.

McMullen, who sits on the committee, said the current plan, adopted in March 2021, outlined 10 facility priorities. These included trail systems; arena upgrades; improvements to existing outdoor facilities; a new curling club; regional signage; a new climbing wall and gym; arts, culture and performance space; golf upgrades; enhanced day-use areas and river access; and upgraded pool changing rooms and leisure elements.

Seven of these priorities have been either completed or are underway.

“So the rec board was looking at maybe doing an upgrade on the master plan and they had got a quote from the same company that did it five years ago. They spent between $65,000 and $70,000 to have it done,” he informed council.

The committee received quotes for an update from the firm that prepared the plan. One proposal would involve in-person facilitated sessions at a cost of $14,950, while another suggested digital sessions. The committee requested that council consider funding the update.

Mayor Wayne Oliver suggested that representatives from the Municipal District of Pincher Creek be included in the sessions, given their contribution to recreation funding and the regional use of facilities.

Nodge emphasized that any update should align with the town’s budget and strategic planning cycles, noting it could inform priorities for the 2027-28 budget. She stressed that the committee’s work is valued and should guide future planning.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said administration needs to review the proposal in the context of other planning initiatives to ensure proper sequencing. He noted that strategic planning, budget review and other town plans need to be co-ordinated.

The matter was tabled for further review.

Administration presents 2025 year in review

Council received administration’s 2025 year in review report, outlining accomplishments, efficiencies and municipal data trends.

Among highlights, the report noted that $222,400 in FCSS funding was awarded to 10 non-profit organizations and two special projects. Multiple staff positions were filled, and more than 15,000 historical maps and documents were digitized.

The town also implemented new software for agenda and minute preparation and saw 30 new dwellings started in 2025, up from 17 in 2024 and four in 2023.

Completed projects included updates to the land use bylaw, tennis court resurfacing, arena and pool improvements, playground signage upgrades and accessibility enhancements at Lebel Mansion.

Infrastructure and safety initiatives included updates to the emergency response plan for Operation Yard, tree planting and removal of high-risk trees, and increased garbage collection service levels.

Service data showed the town handled more than 1,000 service requests in 2025, with the highest volumes related to garbage inquiries (154), bylaw services (138), trees and weeds (138) and water meter reads (127).

A total of 117 development permits were issued, with the majority for development (76). The remainder were for home occupations (20), signs (19) and demolitions (2).

During the meeting, Dunbar clarified that the town cannot provide letters of support for permanent residency under Alberta’s Rural Renewal Stream.

Pincher Creek is not a designated community in the program and municipalities must be certified to endorse applicants. He noted the process requires dedicated staff to verify eligibility and manage applications, which the town does not have.

After the meeting, Mayor Oliver told Shootin’ the Breeze that the town had previously decided not to participate due to staffing requirements and limited demand, though council may revisit the issue if interest grows.

Grant opportunities shared

Council also received a list of current funding opportunities available to community groups, including RBC Barrier Buster grants, Alberta Foundation for the Arts funding, United Way programs, the Community Energy Conservation Program, Tourism HR Canada’s student work-placement program, Cisco Social Impact Investments and Federation of Canadian Municipalities tree-planting grants.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments