Ponoka grant application rejected by province

PONOKA -- The Town of Ponoka has suffered a setback in its plans to upgrade the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

This comes as a provincial grant funding request submitted by the municipality has been rejected by Alberta's Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors. The request was meant to help fund the early works phase of Ponoka's Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades, which aim to help the township maintain its system for its growing population and meet new provincial regulations.

In a correspondence letter received earlier this month, the government described the reasoning for the rejection as being due to this year's "highly competitive" intake process, and encouraged the Town of Ponoka to resubmit a new application prior to Nov. 30. 

"This year's intake was highly competitive, and available funding was exceeded by the volume of applications received. As a result, not all project applications could be approved," reads a statement from the province. "While your project was not approved for funding this year, you are encouraged to update and resubmit your application, as well as apply for any new eligible projects, as part of the application process for the next intake cycle."

At this time, it isn't known whether the rejection of provincial grant funding will impact the first phase of the major project, which is slated to get underway this year. The initial phase of the project will consist of early works, screening, conveyance, and flow diversions. The second phase, which is expected to get underway in 2031, will involve mechanical treatment upgrades. A final phase of work has been tentatively scheduled for 2035 and will include tertiary treatment improvements at the facility.

Ponoka Council approved the plan, design, and funding model for the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades at its regular meeting on Dec. 9, 2025, as a part of the town's 2026 Interim Budget. They then went on to pass a bylaw to authorize debenture financing in the amount of $3,877,873, representing the portion of the project to be funded through long-term borrowing.