Local delegates petition minister for deferred gas plant site funding
Submitted by Barb on Thu, 06/02/2005 - 15:19.
Ongoing Projects
Turner Valley's Mayor Kelly Tuck will meet with Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Alberta Community Development (ACD), Nov. 13 to discuss funding for reclamation work at the Turner Valley Gas Plant historical site.
Originally Tuck requested a meeting with Premier Ralph Klein but was told Klein's schedule was full.
Tuck is making the trip to Edmonton in order to get some answers about $4.5 million in grant money that was deferred this spring.
'I want to know when that funding is going to be reinstated,' Tuck said.
The Turner Valley Gas Plant was designated a national and provincial historic site in the late 80s. Since the designation the province provides a small annual budget to the ACD, who is in charge of the site, to provide summer tours and to keep the site safe and free of vandals.
Originally the province promised $5 million to the ACD to use towards reclamation work at the Turner Valley Historic Gas Plant.
However, the ACD had only received $500,000 by the time the funding was deferred.
The $500,000 that was received has already been spent on some reclamation work.
Although the gas plant is in the hands of the ACD and not in the town's control, Tuck said she will continue to advocate for the funding to be reinstated as the site remains an important part of the town's history.
'It is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease,' Tuck explained. 'I'm not going to stop (advocating for the preservation of the gas plant) until I get what I want.'
Tuck said much more needs to be done to ensure the buildings don't reach a state of disrepair.
'Let's not forget (Turner Valley) is the origin of oil and gas in the province,' Tuck said adding that the history of one of the most important industries in the province needs to be preserved.
Local historian Jim McCreary will accompany Tuck to Edmonton. With 20 years on the Oilfields Historical Society, McCreary will be able to describe in detail the history behind the gas plant.
Highwood MLA Don Tannas will also make the trip. Tuck said Tannas has been a huge supporter of the gas plant improvement effort.
Letters have also been sent to the towns of Black Diamond, High River, Okotoks, the MD of Foothills and the Village of Longview seeking support for the preservation of the gas plant.
Tuck will present the letters to Zwozdesky during the visit.
By Darlene Casten
Staff reporter
from, the OKOTOKS WESTERN WHEEL, October 23, 2002
Originally Tuck requested a meeting with Premier Ralph Klein but was told Klein's schedule was full.
Tuck is making the trip to Edmonton in order to get some answers about $4.5 million in grant money that was deferred this spring.
'I want to know when that funding is going to be reinstated,' Tuck said.
The Turner Valley Gas Plant was designated a national and provincial historic site in the late 80s. Since the designation the province provides a small annual budget to the ACD, who is in charge of the site, to provide summer tours and to keep the site safe and free of vandals.
Originally the province promised $5 million to the ACD to use towards reclamation work at the Turner Valley Historic Gas Plant.
However, the ACD had only received $500,000 by the time the funding was deferred.
The $500,000 that was received has already been spent on some reclamation work.
Although the gas plant is in the hands of the ACD and not in the town's control, Tuck said she will continue to advocate for the funding to be reinstated as the site remains an important part of the town's history.
'It is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease,' Tuck explained. 'I'm not going to stop (advocating for the preservation of the gas plant) until I get what I want.'
Tuck said much more needs to be done to ensure the buildings don't reach a state of disrepair.
'Let's not forget (Turner Valley) is the origin of oil and gas in the province,' Tuck said adding that the history of one of the most important industries in the province needs to be preserved.
Local historian Jim McCreary will accompany Tuck to Edmonton. With 20 years on the Oilfields Historical Society, McCreary will be able to describe in detail the history behind the gas plant.
Highwood MLA Don Tannas will also make the trip. Tuck said Tannas has been a huge supporter of the gas plant improvement effort.
Letters have also been sent to the towns of Black Diamond, High River, Okotoks, the MD of Foothills and the Village of Longview seeking support for the preservation of the gas plant.
Tuck will present the letters to Zwozdesky during the visit.
By Darlene Casten
Staff reporter
from, the OKOTOKS WESTERN WHEEL, October 23, 2002
Sponsored in part by:
Turner Valley Oil Field Society
This project was funded in part by the Alberta Historical Resources
Foundation.
This project has been made possible in part through a grant from the Museums Assistance Program, Department of Canadian Heritage.