Edson’s town council recently approved the purchase of a new Civic Centre building.
The town says an engineering assessment completed in 2024 found the current building requires a significant investment to remain operational, with nearly $1 million in maintenance needs expected over the next five years. At the same time, it is expected to have a limited remaining service life, does not meet modern accessibility standards and does not have adequate space for town staff.
During its regular meeting on July 21, council directed administration to purchase a building in the downtown core to serve as the new Civic Centre. The town says it has recently been renovated, with few additional renovations expected to be required, and should accommodate current and future municipal needs.
The project cost is $5 million, to be funded through a combination of reserves, borrowing and grant funding. During the same meeting, council passed first reading of a debenture bylaw to allow it to borrow up to $2.5 million for the project.
“This move is a long overdue upgrade to our current Civic Centre, which no longer meets the space and accessibility requirements for our staff and our public,” said Mayor Kevin Zahara. “By purchasing an existing building and investing further in our downtown core, we are able to resolve a number of concerns with our current space without the larger costs of a major renovation or new construction. We look forward to making this a safe and welcoming space for all.”
The building is located at 4937 1 Avenue at the end of Main Street. Town officials say it meets current accessibility standards and has an estimated remaining service life of 48 years.
After weighing the costs and benefits of all options, the town expects the purchase to be more cost-effective than constructing a new municipal facility or renovating the existing one, adding the current location has already been renovated multiple times over its lifespan.
Plans for the current building will be determined through a separate council process.
