This release was issued under a previous government.

The grants announced today in Calgary under the Alberta Community Resilience Program include nearly $25 million for five municipalities and one First Nation to build flood barriers, protect or relocate critical water management infrastructure, and address public safety and access issues.

“It’s been two and a half years since floodwaters swept across southern Alberta, devastating families and businesses and inflicting serious damage to our infrastructure and economy. As we move forward with the Springbank Reservoir project, it’s critical to also invest in our local flood defences to ensure people are safe, infrastructure is protected, and businesses continue to operate without interruption.”

Rachel Notley, Premier

“This is an important contribution on our community-based flood resiliency work. I look forward to getting to shovels in the ground right away on these projects.”

Naheed Nenshi, Mayor, City of Calgary

Many of the communities impacted by the June 2013 floods will receive funding through the second round of Alberta Community Resilience Program grant approvals, including Calgary, Turner Valley, Municipal District of Bighorn, and Siksika Nation.

Projects approved for funding in the Calgary region include:

  • Construction of a berm, along with groundwater and stormwater management enhancements, to protect the City of Calgary’s Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant;
  • Construction of a flood protection berm along the Bow River in Calgary, downstream of Eau Claire to the Peace Bridge;
  • Relocation of water wells on Siksika Nation;
  • Raising existing berms and constructing a new berm to protect the East Midland, Newcastle, and central Drumheller areas;
  • Installation of a gravity outfall north of Highway 1A and upgrades to Westmere Stormwater Pond in Chestermere;
  • Relocation of the sanitary forcemain in Turner Valley; and
  • Structural mitigation to manage debris flood risks on Heart Creek near the Hamlet of Lac Des Arc and the Trans-Canada Highway, including a 350 metre diversion berm at the Trans-Canada Highway near Heart Creek and a diversion channel below highway grade.

The Alberta Community Resilience Program is providing $500 million in grant funding over 10 years to municipalities, special areas, improvement districts, First Nations and Métis Settlements to help ensure public safety and protect critical municipal infrastructure. The next submission deadline for the Alberta Community Resilience Program is September 30, 2016.