By Martin J. Kidston
An update of projects receiving CTEP funds was presented to the Havre City Council Monday.
Craig Erickson told the council that the Beaver Creek Path Project a proposed footpath to the Havre Ice Dome was in line for CTEP funding. However, Erickson said the project was facing some problems, and on behalf of the Hill County Commissioners and Havre Youth Hockey, he asked the council to suspend the path project, and use the funds instead to landscape the Havre Ice Dome.
Erickson said the steepness of the terrain on the proposed site of the path would have made path design challenging. He also made mention of easement issues with Northern Montana Hospital, who owns the property that was to be used for the footpath.
The project would have cost $55,170.
Erickson told the council that the landscaping project would make improvements to the south and west side of the Havre Ice Dome, making the facility user friendly. He estimated the cost to be at $36,735, which would include $8,000 in sidewalk improvement, $7,000 in shrub work, $4,000 in trees and nearly $17,000 in grass and sprinklers. Erickson said the improvements would help improve the drainage by moving water away from the building.
Havre Youth Hockey would donate more than $4,000 for the project, while the city pays $21,000 and the county pays $10,000. CTEP funds will be used to help cover the costs.
The council passed Ericksons request, but not without questioning the need for the path, saying safety was more important than landscaping.
Safety comes before landscaping, Mayor Phyllis Leonard said. Well try for the path again at a later time.
The second CTEP project Erickson discussed was that of the 11th Street sidewalk. He said the project was nearing completion, but there are drainage problems.
The sidewalk on 11th Street has some drainage issues that were not addressed in the original plan, Erickson said. It is currently incomplete and on hold.
Erickson said that CTEP will not pay for the project until drainage issues are addressed. He said that a new application addressing curb and gutter drainage will be submitted next year, at which time the sidewalk should be completed.
Lastly, the Heritage Center Preservation Project will receive CTEP funding for the installation of new windows. The funding was approved in August, and the project should be let within the month, with window installation complete before winter.
Hopefully, it will cost less to heat the Heritage Center this winter, Erickson said.
The total cost of the three projects is set at $177,905. CTEP funds will pay for $151,000, leaving local costs at only $26,000.
That alone makes the hassles of CTEP worth doing, Erickson said. Any community that would turn away these funds would be crazy.
