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Taber chamber receiving $1 million loan

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Taber Times

By Trevor Busch
Taber Times
tbusch@tabertimes.com

The Town of Taber is facilitating a $1 million loan to the Taber and District Chamber of Commerce for construction of a landscaped parking lot and sani-dump as part of the chamber’s plan to construct a new building.

“It’s dealing with that project concept, and a lot of that isn’t finalized with the chamber,” said Mayor Andrew Prokop. “There is a basic design…but I think they need to make some adjustments, is what I understand, with their plan to some degree. But I think the basic concept was accepted in principle, and to go forward with that. That project is certainly not a secret at all, and we’re looking forward to that coming to fruition.”

Following closed session discussion on April 14, town council passed a motion to proceed with arrangements for the debenture. According to the minutes of that meeting, the vote was not unanimous.

“It’s designed as an attraction for travelers that come through and stop, and that particular site would be there, and so you may as well visit the site while you’re there, and other restaurants or whatever the case may be. It gets them coming into town for a purpose,” said Prokop.

At their Dec. 19, 2019, special meeting town council had passed a motion to acquire approximately 1.3 acres of land located at 5431 47th Avenue. The purchase includes two separate parcels of lots for a total of $904,000. Both parcels had separate sale prices, broken down into purchases of $443,000 and $461,000. Only one of the lot parcels will be utilized by the chamber for construction of a new building.

“That lot is just west of the police station, the two lots we bought,” said Prokop. “It’s just coming together now with what’s all involved. It’s a community-related project for the community’s benefit.”

Taber currently has a sani-dump in the community’s north, and there are plans to construct another in future at the town’s Trout Pond Campground, which is now set to open for the first time on June 2.

“It was said that we need something near the highway, because there is so much Highway 3 east and westbound traffic, and most places do have something highway accessible,” said Prokop. “It seemed like a good fit, and another good reason to get travelers to come into town and stay for a while, take in some of the sights or opportunities here retail-wise, or whatever the case may be for our benefit.”

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