THRC Renovation

The Town has been reviewing better use of underused space in the recreation centre since Council began meeting there during COVID and realized parts of the building were not being fully utilized. This approach would also place Council Chambers and Town administration offices in the same location. 

At the same time, the RCMP advised their current lease ends in fall 2026 and they require a new location. The proposal would relocate Town administration into underused space and lease the current Town Office to the RCMP, avoiding the need to build a new facility or purchase land.  

The estimated $1.6 million reflects consultant pricing to renovate unused space in the Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre, create administrative office space, and install an accessibility elevator connecting the building’s levels. 

The elevator portion is funded through LGFF/MSI grant funding and had previously been budgeted at approximately $300,000 in an earlier capital plan. Council deferred the elevator project at that time until there was greater certainty around the broader THRC renovation and the potential RCMP relocation. Including it as part of the larger renovation allows the work to be completed more efficiently and cost-effectively than as a standalone project.  

The proposed total project budget is $1,615,330, funded by: 

Council is considering a combination of reserves and borrowing to maintain financial flexibility for other priorities, including future infrastructure projects. 

Lease revenue from the RCMP is expected to cover the annual debenture payments, meaning the borrowing is structured to be cost neutral from an operational standpoint once the RCMP occupy the building. 

The planned debenture would be over a 20-year term. Based on the current Alberta Capital Finance Authority rate of 4.17%, the estimated annual payment is about $48,802. Interest rates may change at the time the borrowing is finalized. 

The Town currently has approximately $6 million in reserves set aside for infrastructure and other municipal purposes. The project uses a combination of reserves and borrowing to maintain financial flexibility. 

Building Reserve 
Current balance: $570,235 
$152,000 already committed in the 2026 capital budget 
Proposed use for project: $250,000 
Estimated balance end of 2026: ~$168,235 (before interest and new contributions) 

Land Development Reserve 
Current balance: $2,173,610 
Proposed use for project: $407,665 
Estimated balance end of 2026: ~$1,725,945 (before interest and new contributions) 

Reserves are typically rebuilt through annual budget contributions, development revenues, and long-term financial planning. The Town’s budget currently includes about $500,000 transferred to reserves each year, which helps replenish these funds over time. 

Infrastructure remains a priority for Council and Administration. The project was structured using a combination of reserves and borrowing so the Town does not fully draw down funds needed for roads, utilities, and other infrastructure. 

Lease revenue from the RCMP is intended to help cover the debenture payments, reducing the impact on municipal taxation. The proposal also helps ensure policing services remain located and visible within the community. 

Overall, the approach addresses several needs at once: maintaining local policing services, making better use of an underused municipal facility, and avoiding the much higher cost of constructing new buildings while preserving the Town’s ability to invest in core infrastructure. 

The project uses underutilized space on the upper west side of the THRC, above the racquetball court, rather than areas actively used for recreation. This upper-level space has limited practical use for recreation programming. 

Using existing space allows the Town to avoid the significantly higher cost of constructing a new municipal office or purchasing land, while maintaining the THRC’s primary function as a recreation facility. 

The space has been largely unused for decades and is located on the upper level, which has limited practical use for recreation programming and would generate little return through user fees. 

Using this underutilized space for administrative offices allows the Town to make better use of an existing facility, particularly since Council Chambers are already located there. Constructing a new municipal office while also renovating unused space at the facility would be significantly more costly. 

The renovation may also include a new change room beneath the office space, which would provide additional support for recreation users during high-demand times such as hockey season. 

The elevator will improve accessibility throughout the Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre by connecting the basement, main level, and upper level. It will provide easier access to Council Chambers, the Warm Room, and future administration offices, including after-hours access to the Warm Room. 

The basement is also used for storage and equipment, and elevator access will make it safer and easier to move materials between floors. A full elevator is more durable and practical for a busy public facility than a lift-style device, which is typically designed for smaller elevation changes and lower use. 

Construction of the new school is already underway, and the design, layout, and approvals are finalized. Incorporating the library at this stage would require significant redesign, approvals, and funding that were not part of the project. 

Conversations were also held with the library and the school division, and neither party expressed interest in this option. The current plan focuses on making the best use of existing municipal buildings to meet the community’s needs. 

A tri-services building was considered. The age and condition of the existing fire hall would require significant upgrades before any expansion could occur, resulting in substantially higher costs. The fire department also requires space for future expansion. 

Both the Town and the RCMP determined a tri-services option is not feasible at this time. Repurposing existing municipal buildings allows the Town to meet the RCMP timeline and keep costs more manageable. 

The RCMP’s current lease expires in fall 2026 with no renewal option, so they began exploring locations within the community. The Town administration building was identified as a practical option, providing suitable office space along with room for RCMP vehicles and a secure compound behind the building. 

Leasing from the Town also provides a stable, long-term landlord. The arrangement allows both the RCMP and the Town to use existing buildings, avoiding the higher cost and longer timeline of constructing a new facility. 

Council considered this possibility. The Town consulted the local MLA and was advised that a transition to a provincial police service is not expected in the near future, if at all. 

Even if policing were to change, the need for a local policing facility would remain. The Town office building on Highway 2 would continue to be a suitable and visible location for local policing services.