Grande Prairie Minute: Moose Sightings, Recreation Facility, and a Third Judge Wanted

Grande Prairie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Grande Prairie politics

This Week In Grande Prairie:

• This afternoon, at 2:30 pm, there will be an in-camera meeting of City Council. Very little information is available as to what will be discussed.
  
  
• Also this afternoon, at 3:00 pm, there will be a public meeting of City Council. A delegation from the Alberta Forest Products Association will request that, in light of incoming tariffs, the City write letters of support, make phone calls, and conduct advocacy with both the provincial and federal governments to promote the use of Alberta forest products at home. There will also be a Public Hearing regarding a couple of land use amendment proposals.
  
  
• The City of Grande Prairie is informing residents that two moose have been seen in Muskoseepi Park. Dog owners are reminded by the City that pets must be kept on a leash in the area for safety reasons. Alberta Fish and Wildlife has been notified of the sighting. For more guidance on how to handle a moose encounter, residents are encouraged to visit the Government of Alberta's website.

Last Week In Grande Prairie:

• During a Committee of the Whole meeting, Council moved forward with a proposal for a new 135,000-square-foot recreation facility. This project gained urgency after Swan City FC reported a significant increase in enrollment in 2023, highlighting the need for more space. The City initially considered the Avondale North location but shifted to Trader Ridge due to issues with expansion, land ownership, and costs. The proposed facility would include a FIFA-regulation soccer pitch and serve as a multi-sport venue, supporting the City's goal of hosting provincial and national competitions. The proposal is set to be debated by Council this week.
  
  
• Mayor Jackie Clayton said she remains hopeful for the appointment of a third Court of King’s Bench judge, a goal the City and the County of Grande Prairie have advocated for since 2021. While the City welcomed the recent appointment of a second judge, Clayton continues to push for additional support from the federal government. Clayton believes a third judge would help alleviate the current judicial workload and reduce delays in the system. Regular communication with provincial representatives continues in hopes of securing the additional judge.
  
  
• An earthquake struck the Peace Region on the morning of February 20th, at 8:41 a.m. The earthquake, originating 63 kilometres northeast of Grande Cache was felt in several areas, including Edson, Grande Prairie, Whitecourt, and even Prince George, BC. There have been no reports of damage so far. According to Earthquakes Canada, quakes of this magnitude are typically felt but rarely cause significant damage. This event follows a similar tremor in BC last week and a smaller one in Alberta last month. If you felt the earthquake, you can report it to Earthquakes Canada here.