Smelly garbage trucks and office spaces in a newly purchased public works building don’t mix, the Town of Sylvan Lake found out recently.
The municipality finalized a $2.75-million deal in January to buy the former Precision Rentals property in a local industrial park to become the new home for the town’s Public Works, and Recreation and Parks Departments.
It was hoped that the main building on site would provide storage space for all of the departments’ equipment. But a test run with a garbage truck wrinkled a few noses.
“One garbage truck was placed in the main building on a trial basis for two days and the odour from the truck was almost overwhelming after just two days, so permanently parking the garbage truck inside the main building is not a feasible option,” says a report to council from Leisure and Protective Services director Ron Lebsack.
The fumes from the diesel graders and loaders also posed problems because the existing air handling system can’t clear the building quick enough.
To provide the necessary equipment storage, it is proposed that a $200,000 building be constructed on the 9.7-acre site. The town will dip into solid waste and water and sewer reserve accounts to cover $165,000 of the cost. The remaining $35,000 will come from money not spent on a paving project.
Council unanimously approved the expenditure on Monday.
Also approved was $92,750 to pave the parking lot at the operations building, install a fire alarm system, add a new phone system and various renovations to reception and lunch rooms and washrooms. Council opted to delay the paving until more information on different paving material options can be researched.
Another $62,750 was approved for general renovations, including adding mezzanine and storage space and landscaping.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com