WESTLOCK – Westlock County has released its proposed Capital Plan for 2026–2035, outlining nearly $90 million in projected infrastructure costs. The financial department presented the draft plan to council during a May 13 Committee of the Whole meeting to gather feedback and determine priorities.
The long-term plan is based on a range of studies and assessments and breaks down infrastructure needs across several categories. One key theme that emerged during discussion was the need to distinguish between essential projects and those that would simply be “nice” to do, as raised by two councillors.
In the area of building infrastructure, the county anticipates $6.92 million in upgrades and development. Of that, $1 million will come from reserves and $5.8 million from debentures. The Administration Building, Airport Terminal, and Public Workshop are slated for upgrades totaling just over $1 million, fully funded from reserves. A new fire hall and administration building are projected to be built between 2030 and 2035, costing $5.9 million and funded mostly through debt.
Hamlet road upgrades across all nine county hamlets are estimated at just under $6 million. The work includes removal, reconstruction, ditch evaluations, and asphalt resurfacing. CAO Tony Kulbisky said an expert has advised that asphalt may be more cost-effective in the long term, but no official decision has been made. Busby has the highest projected cost at $1.18 million, while Tawatinaw is the lowest at just under $300,000. These improvements will be funded through debentures, which must be secured by 2027.
Technology upgrades are expected to cost $270,000, which will come from the computer replacement reserve. The planned work includes replacing two IT servers, implementing asset management tools, and adding a raven spray truck controller and mapping system. The county says these upgrades will ensure “Westlock County is equipped with efficient, cost-effective and advanced technology tools for servicing its residents.”
The county also plans to replace a range of machinery and equipment, including all eleven graders, twice within the plan’s time frame. This portion of the plan is expected to cost just under $10.5 million. “Westlock County practices have been to debenture the graders' replacement,” the report notes. Other equipment, including tractors, tools, tenders, and trailers, is budgeted at $7.16 million. Funding will come from a mix of the equipment replacement reserve, the operating budget, and additional debentures. Fire tenders and engines will cost $2.4 million and be funded through the fire vehicle reserve.
Recreation enhancements are also featured in the plan. Long Island Lake Municipal Campground is scheduled for $995,000 in upgrades, Rainbow Park for $425,000 in facility and aeration improvements, and Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill plans to replace its rental shop and undergo further upgrades costing just over $1.3 million. Most of these enhancements will be funded from reserves, with $1.7 million from debentures.
For roads and bridges, more than $11.5 million is earmarked for bridge rehabilitation, chip seal resurfacing, and a new sidewalk in Vimy. These projects are expected to be funded by the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) and Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) grants. Six million dollars in grant funding is set aside for the 2026 Road Rehabilitation Program, which targets major intersections at Highways 44 and 18.
The county is also preparing to spend nearly $43 million on utility infrastructure. Of that, $450,000 will come from reserves and the remaining $42.5 million from debentures. Annual valve replacements, required by regulation, will be funded from the utility reserve at a cost of $450,000 per year. A major sewer connection for the industrial park is among the larger projects. While seven hamlets were identified as having water system needs over the next decade, the report states they “should be approached as per need basis.” Kulbisky noted population growth is a factor in determining which upgrades are required, even in areas that recently received system improvements.
Vehicle replacements over the 10-year period will total $1.64 million, including $1.49 million from the equipment replacement reserve and $150,000 from vehicle sales revenue. Only one unit will be fully replaced at a cost of $115,000.
In total, the county plans to spend $89,697,770 over the next decade. This includes $11.63 million from grants, $10.77 million from reserves, $4.45 million from the operating budget, and $62.83 million from debentures. In the first year of the plan alone, an estimated $5.5 million will be spent across several infrastructure areas, including information technology, machinery, recreation, transportation, utilities, and vehicles.
Council is expected to hold additional review sessions before bringing the final plan forward at a future meeting for formal adoption.
