The design will include refrigerant line “rough-ins” for an outdoor skating rink.
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The Town of Coaldale has officially launched a summer-long public engagement campaign to help with finalizing a detailed civil design for the outdoor space located between the Coaldale Public Library and the new Civic Square building.
During the May 9, 2022, Regular Council Meeting, Town staff came before Council to present the design, which includes:
- a large concrete pad where community events such as Coaldale Summer Fest, farmer’s markets, concerts, movie nights, and festivals can be held;
- refrigerant line “rough-ins” for an outdoor skating rink on the concrete pad to ensure that the space can be used year-round (in both cold and warm weather); and
- parking spots for approximately 44 vehicles, 4 of which will be outfitted with electric vehicle charging stations.
After reviewing the design, Council directed Town staff to reach out to the public for input concerning other potential programming opportunities for the space, as well as to see whether operationalizing the “roughed-in” outdoor skating rink should be considered a priority. “In Council’s recently launched 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, we single out continued community engagement on new recreation projects as one of our top priorities”, said Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn. “Before plans for this outdoor space are finalized, we will make sure that just this kind of engagement has taken place. As a Council, we strongly believe that residents should have a voice in the decision-making process for amenities like the Civic Square outdoor space.”
The public engagement campaign consists of an online survey that residents can find at www.letsconnectcoaldale.ca. It also consists of an in-person engagement event that will take place during Coaldale Summer Fest (August 6), right in front of the Civic Square building. This way, residents can also their ideas for the space directly with members of Council and Town staff. “The survey is just one avenue that Town residents can use to have their voices heard on this matter”, said Van Rijn. “Another is by speaking directly with members of Council and the Town’s administrative staff. It’s our belief that the survey results, supplemented by the feedback we receive in person, will give us the information we need to finalize the design and get to work on turning this outdoor space into something all our residents can enjoy and be proud of.”
The redevelopment of the Civic Square Outdoor Space will be funded primarily by federal grant dollars, which will cover 63% of project costs up to a total of 1.2 million dollars. These dollars must be used specifically for revitalizing downtown cores and reinventing outdoor spaces.
