County gives $30,000 to Bearspaw Historical Society for history project

Rocky View County Council Briefs: From the June 26 meeting

Rocky View County council unanimously voted to give $30,000 to the Bearspaw Historical Society, June 26.

The funds will be used to assist the society with the second phase of its Oral History Project. During the project, the group will record the history of the historic Bearspaw, Glendale, Westminster and Glenbow schools by interviewing former teachers, students and their relatives.

“The Historical Society is making a priceless contribution for future generations by recording what it was like to attend school in the early- to mid-1900s,” said Councillor Al Sacuta. “We are appreciative of the time and effort they are spending on this project and we are very happy to support them.”

The first phase, which began in 2009, included interviews with former students and teachers who attended the Bearspaw School from 1920 to 1940. The society will interview teachers and students who attended from 1940 to 1965, when the school closed, for the second phase.

The society will also create a step-by-step manual on designing and documenting an oral history report, which can be used as a resource by groups across Canada.

Sharp Hill improvements

Council unanimously approved a request by the Sharp Hill Preservation Society (SHPS) to develop the community into an outdoor recreation area.

The SHPS currently leases three municipal reserve parcels from the County, all of which are undeveloped and consist of bare grassland with no amenities.

County staff told council because the lands are bound by private residences and roadways, they are easily accessible to the community and provide a prime location for recreation amenities and gathering areas.

“I think this is a good plan,” said area Councillor Lois Habberfield, who motioned that council approve the request.

The first phase of the project will involve the planting of trees and shrubs, construction of parking areas and 46,000 square feet of paved pathways, and installation of fencing, at an estimated cost of $484,000.

The second phase will include the construction and installation of gravel pathways, bridges, benches, signage, a picnic area and a historic site, as well as appropriate landscaping, at a cost of $200,000.

The third phase will see the construction of a cookhouse shelter, multi-purpose sports court/rink, and tobogganing hill, at a cost of roughly $400,000.

The project is dependent on funding and community demand, and will take place over the next several years.

Property tax cancellation

Council unanimously approved a request by the Dalroy Gymkhana Club to cancel municipal taxes for club lands.

Landowner Mary Anne Cairns, who leases land to the club, wrote a letter to council asking that the $581.09 in taxes for two pieces of land used by the club be exempted.

“The Dalroy Gymkhana Club is a non-profit, community-based organization who has leased these lands from myself and my siblings for the past 18 years,” she wrote. “The club’s mission is to have family fun on horseback.”

“As long as I’ve been here, we’ve relieved the taxes for this club every year,” said Councillor Earl Solberg.