Lindahl Park may be redeveloped as part of the Town of Westlock’s 100th anniversary if an application for federal funding is approved.
Located at the corner of Highway 18 and 102 Avenue, the park includes the Pioneer Museum, which has been incorporated into the redesign.
“When we first started talking about our 100th anniversary we did want it to be more than just a series of parties,” said mayor Ralph Leriger. “You clearly look to leave some sort of a lasting legacy.”
The final design was chosen out of three options and after significant consultation.
“We discussed the project as a council, we discussed it with our 100th anniversary committee and with the historical society, to make sure that everybody is on board,” Leriger said.
So far the municipality has provided a small amount of funding for preliminary design work and concept planning.
The result includes the addition of pathways, a gazebo, public meeting space, landscaping and a fence along Highway 18.
If the project goes ahead it will create an outdoor community area that can be used for public events in a dedicated space, something the town currently lacks.
“Communities need to have a space like that,” Leriger said. “Community gathering spaces are things that everybody can use. They’re not just for a particular sport or any age demographic.”
The project is set to cost just over $500,000 with half of the funding coming from the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Legacy Fund.
That federal program provides money for communities celebrating significant milestones and requires an application and assessment process.
The other half of the money will come from the town coffers with those funds being allocated during the 2017 budget process.
If the application is unsuccessful, the project is unlikely to go ahead.
“It’s going to be contingent on the grant being successful, that’s for sure,” Leriger said.
Assessment of the municipality’s application for funding under the Heritage Legacy scheme will take six to 12 months.
That means even if the project is successful, work is likely to start in late 2016 or 2017 and miss the town’s centenary celebrations.
