Monday, February 6 at the Gunn Community Hall elected officials, CAO’s and representatives of the Summer Villages of Castle Island, Ross Haven and Yellowstone, Lac Ste. Anne County, Stantec Consulting Ltd and Tyschuk Construction Ltd gathered in celebration of their collaborative efforts. Also on hand was Shane Getson, MLA Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland.
Lac Ste. Anne County has long recognized the need to move toward a consolidated and regionalized wastewater system along its abundant lakes and larger regional water network. Regional systems assist with environmental concerns and help participating municipalities mitigate growing concerns about the financial viability of a wastewater system.
The Board of Directors for the North 43 Lagoon Commission is comprised of Council members from Lac Ste. Anne County and the Summer Villages of Castle Island, Ross Haven and Yellowstone. This Commission was established to manage the operation and maintenance of a sewage lagoon north of Lac Ste. Anne Lake. The Commission meets every second month to oversee the maintenance and operation of the lagoon. Although the directors report back to each respective Council, the Commission is empowered to operate with autonomy. Making decisions regarding the lagoon’s management that are independent of any of the municipalities represented. Board members include Chairperson – Lorne Olsvik, Vice Chair – Ian Kupchenko, Dieter Brandt, Don Bauer and George Vaughan.
July 7, 2018 was the ribbon cutting for the North 43 Forcemain. The newly operational Gunn Forcemain is a continuation of the vital infrastructure expansion to ensure sewage is safely collected and conveyed to the lagoon to mitigate water pollution, thus protecting public health and aquatic life.
Taking turns at the microphone, municipal leaders and commission members alike spoke to the benefits and the responsibility of this milestone – including the many years of careful planning and collaboration to get to this point. MLA Getson remarked “These are legacy projects. Allowing for growth regionally and responsibly.” Clearly the touching on the key objectives of this Commission.
