Prokop’s re-election campaign focused on a thriving Taber

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Taber Times

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mayor Andrew Prokop has announced his intention to seek re-election in Taber, and wants to carry forward the community-building initiatives he’s passionate about.

 “I’m going to run for mayor again,” he said. “First of all, it’s been an honour and a privilege to serve as the mayor for this community, and I would certainly love to carry on and continue to see Taber thrive. There’s more work to be done for the benefit of the area residents.”

In conversation, it’s clear that he’s all in on doing what it takes to enhance the quality of life and prosperity of residents and local businesses.

 “I believe in effective leadership, community involvement, and leading by example. And I hope that resonates with our residents, because that’s very much a passion for me in that regard. I’m thrilled to be part of that venture,” he said.

 Prokop’s deliberate focus on economic growth and recreation has played out in the decisions he and the council have made in recent years.

 The town has attracted outside business investment, most plainly obvious by the sight of new stores popping up along the Highway 3 service road. Many investors have presumably been drawn by Taber’s status as a major hub along the southern Alberta ‘food corridor’ or by the Town’s tax incentives that give new businesses big breaks in their first handful of years in operation. Either way, it boosts the economy and gives local consumers plenty of options.

 In terms of keeping the community safe, clean, and orderly, Prokop noted his pride in the fact that Taber had expanded its Community Standards Unit to include Barnwell in Aug. 2023.  In Oct. 2022, the CSU entered into a partnership with the MD of Taber to provide bylaw enforcement to the MD and the hamlets of Enchant, Grassy Lake and Hays.

 The CSU employs one full-time and two seasonal officers to patrol and respond to local bylaw infractions. Those include, but are not limited to, unsightly premises, animal control, parked vehicles, unnecessary noise, noxious weeds, moving and non-moving traffic offences etc.

When it comes to recreational opportunities and events, Prokop advocates for them at every turn. “If you’ve got an option to showcase Taber, you absolutely must follow through with that,” he said. “Why would you not? That should be a given.”

 In council meetings, he’s always open to hearing different opinions from town councillors, but believes the upside of such ‘showcasing’ is great and he almost always votes in favour of those events.

 For example, when council was initially discussing whether or not to bring the Southern Alberta Summer Games back to town in 2025, others raised practical concerns like cost, resources, and the town’s volunteer capacity – all valid points – but the mayor did not waver. He advocated in favour of it and the event drew an estimated five to seven thousand people into Taber in early July.

 Other major projects like the Trout Pond, pump track, and Trail 77 network have been major points of emphasis and have sprung from Prokop’s vision for recreational growth. Thanks to a massive donation from the William Ferguson estate,  the Trout Pond improvements have been paid for and the Town’s not in the red for them.

 “One person can’t make those decisions,” he said about council consensus. “It’s got to be at the very least a majority. But ideally, with things like that, you certainly like to have unanimous consent.”

 He has two upcoming rec projects on his mind as he sets his sights on another term in office: a dry sport facility and retrofitting the ice arena.

 “The dry sport facility has been a focus and number one priority for the Town of Tabor council since Oct. 2024,” he said. An indoor facility would be useful year-round and only expand the town’s options for sports activities.

 For the ice arena retrofit, he said the Town has applied for a grant of up to $8 million and town council has supported and committed $2 million to the project.

 “With that, $10 million would be available, and we believe that will likely cover the cost, and we’re very close to the total cost of a new arena and retrofit variety,” he said, offering insight into the cost.

 Potential and current mayors, councillors, and school board trustees will file their nomination papers ahead of the Oct. 20 election. Those willing to participate will be covered by Southern Alberta Newspapers.