A map of the Taber Wetlands. (Supplied by MPE Engineering and Town of Taber)

By David Opinko

Taber council approves $7.4-million wetlands construction

Feb 28, 2020 | 10:54 AM

TABER, AB – “It’s really the best of both worlds,” says Mayor Andrew Prokop.

At Monday’s meeting, town council voted to approve the construction of the East Taber Constructed Wetlands.

It will be built on 22 acres of land off of the eastern edge of 64th Ave.

The most immediate benefit, according to the mayor, is that it will add capacity for stormwater to be stored and treated.

“The flooding we had in 2018, we averted a serious problem there first by getting on that soon enough at the time, but even at the time, it was still a $200,000 bill to deal with that. Had we had more stormwater availability in place there, that would’ve alleviated a lot of that problem to start with.”

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A new stormwater pipeline will also be built near 64 Ave and Highway 36 to the 56 Street Pump Station.

The wetlands will also provide a new ecosystem for local wildlife and educational opportunities for schools.

“I use Canmore as an example of something that’s similar. If anyone’s ever been there or familiar with that, it’s a great location to go and see that, what’s available there and to see what the wetlands are all about,” says Prokop. “Recreationally, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

The Town of Taber has received grants of over $3.2-million from the Alberta Community Resiliency Program and $2.9-million from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The local government will contribute $1,211,130 from its own capital reserves.

Construction on the wetlands should start sometime in 2020. Prokop expects it to be completed in the next two or three years.