News Release from the Town of Blackfalds 

The Town of Blackfalds is proud to announce that the community plaza set to open in the fall of 2022 will be officially named the Border Paving Plaza! Council formally approved the naming sponsorship at the March 22 Regular Council meeting.

The Border Paving Plaza will be a four-season gathering place that will provide residents and visitors with an aesthetically pleasing open area in which they can participate in markets, festivals, performances, and other community events. The Plaza will be east of the Eagle Builders Centre and south of the existing parking lot.

“Over the past number of years, outdoor gatherings and events have been steadily growing in participation and popularity in Blackfalds, so it’s very exciting that we are moving forward with the Border Paving Plaza project that will serve to be a focal point for many of these exciting events,” shared Mayor Jamie Hoover. “Along with completing the Eagle Builder Centre and the road realignment, this outdoor plaza will quickly become a central point of pride in our always improving community.”

The 24,000 square foot space will feature a decorative stained concrete deck, stairs and ramps, landscape features, and a natural gas fire pit.

Border Paving Plaza’s budget is $668,000, of which 75 per cent was approved through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. The remaining funds will be alleviated from sponsorships, including Border Paving Ltd, DB Bobcat Services, STEP Energy, Stantec, and ATCO gas.

Amanda Stasiuk, Border Paving’s Community Outreach Coordinator, said that the company is looking forward to the development and the continued partnership with the Town.

“Once again, we are very excited to be a part of Blackfalds’ commitment to public gatherings and community-minded development. Donations like this are part of our long-standing commitment to the communities we are part of.”

Construction of the Border Paving Plaza will begin this spring, in conjunction with the Gregg Street Realignment project.

News Release from Blackfalds RCMP

Blackfalds RCMP advise of train derailment – Update

Blackfalds, Alta. – On July 2, 2021, at 8:15 p.m., Blackfalds RCMP received a 911 call of a train derailment along Highway 2A in Lacombe County.

Initial reports suggested a number of oil cars were leaking oil and possibly on fire. A nearby residence was evacuated as a precaution, and multiple emergency crews responded.

Emergency crews were able to determine that 23 train cars had derailed, four of which were carrying Tar Oil (liquid asphalt). Upon further inspection, only one of the cars was found to have a leak while the remaining were intact. No fires had started.

No injuries were reported and those evacuated were able to return home.

CP Rail and Lacombe County Emergency Management remain on scene and Highway 2A is expected to be blocked to traffic for several more hours while crews investigate and cleanup.

CP Rail Police has taken over this investigation.