Grande Prairie Minute: Peavey Mart, Utility Bylaw, and the Rezoning Engagement Process

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

This Week In Grande Prairie:

• Tuesday is Standing Committee Day. At 9:00 am, the Public and Protective Services Committee will meet to discuss the expansion of the Golden Age Centre. The Operational Services Committee will meet at 9:30 am. The agenda includes the public engagement and advertising processes for rezoning, and the appointment of a Development Officer and a Subdivision Authority Officer.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, the Financial and Administrative Services Committee will meet at 10:00 am. Up for discussion is GPS integration for snow removal equipment. The Investment and Strategy Committee will meet at 10:15 am to discuss the 2024 Municipal Census and the Annual 2024 Incoming Grant Report.
  
  
• Lion’s Park playground is set for a major upgrade thanks to a $950,000 grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. The funding will be used to create an accessible playground, with improvements including handicapped parking and upgraded bathrooms. The City will contribute approximately $211,000 toward the project, with completion expected by fall. Lion’s Park was selected from five potential sites based on criteria such as visibility, accessibility, and infrastructure. The new playground will replace the existing 19-year-old structure and will be named the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground.

Last Week In Grande Prairie:

• Council approved amendments to Grande Prairie’s utility bylaw, resulting in higher charges for water, wastewater, and garbage collection, as well as a reduction to the recycling fee. As of March 1st, Aquatera customers will see an average increase of $2.82 per month on their bills. CEO Vaughn Bend noted that while the company aims to minimize rate hikes, the increases are necessary to maintain services and fund critical infrastructure, including a new water treatment reservoir for drought resilience. The city’s transition to Extended Producer Responsibility shifts recycling costs to producers, though Bend cautioned that businesses may pass those costs to consumers. The bylaw also allows Aquatera to cut services in emergencies and introduces fines for violating potential water use restrictions, starting at $400.
  
  
• Grande Prairie’s Eastlink Centre has partnered with the Prescription to Get Active program, allowing healthcare providers to prescribe physical activity to patients. Residents with a valid prescription can access free activities at the facility, receive a complimentary tour, and enjoy a two-week trial. The program aims to help participants develop healthier habits, manage chronic conditions, and improve overall well-being. Those without a regular doctor can still obtain a prescription through the Grande Prairie Primary Care Network.
  
  
• Peavey Mart has confirmed it will close all locations across Canada, including its Grande Prairie store, following financial challenges. The company cited inflation, low consumer confidence, and rising costs as key factors in the decision, which affects 90 Peavey Mart stores and six MainStreet Hardware locations. Longtime customers have expressed disappointment at losing the store.