The municipalities of Spruce Grove and Stony Plain are moving forward with a collaborative trail connection after beginning discussions in November.
Spruce Grove Mayor Stuart Houston told Taproot the idea came up after the 1995 Alberta Summer Games but stalled in the decades since. A renewed vision with collaborative conversations saw the councils set aside funding for engineering and construction in 2021 and a feasibility and engineering study on a second trail in 2023.
"(It's a) big advantage to promote healthy active communities with the new trail and building on a cooperative spirt between the town and the city," Houston said.
(Courtesy of Tara Zieminek / Stony Plain)
Earlier this month, both councils approved motions with funding schemes for a cost-sharing agreement that would see Spruce Grove committing two-thirds with Stony Plain contributing the remaining third.
Stony Plain approved funding of up to $150,000 from the 2020 surplus while Spruce Grove cited that it would be listed in the spring adjustments for council consideration of up to $300,000.
Of four options, Option A — north from Highway 16A along future Boundary Road to the existing Grove Drive — was selected.