Rural Final Mile project underway

Chris Davis

The MD of Pincher Creek  has obtained  an anticipated $200,000 grant from the Province's Rural Final Mile grant program for upgrades to internet services within the Municipality.

According to Director of Operations Leo Reedyk's report on the subject delivered to the council of the day on April 24, 2012  "There are a number of residents within the municipality that do not currently have high speed internet access via hard wire or radio transmission. The Provincial Government has indicated that the initiative applies to households who have a download speed less than 1.5Mbps. The majority of users within the Municipal District have service above the threshold. When discussing the initiative with a local internet service provider the we were advised that installing additional towers and infrastructure for the few households per location was cost prohibitive for service providers to do alone."

At that time Reedyk also suggested the service might prove to be a boon for the Municipality by reducing the need for multiple kinds of communication gear currently needed by MD employees.

Tough Country Communications (TCC) bid successfully to provide design, construction, project management, and the operation and maintenance of the service once in place, but a contract was not signed, pending provincial financing.  According to documents, "Prior to releasing  any grant funding  a contract with Tough Country Communications Inc. is required.

Approximately 100 users are expected to benefit from the initiative.  TCC will be the provider of broadband internet  services  to all customers within the service area.

Reedyk recommended to the current council in his report of  September 12, 2014 that they authorize the Reeve and CAO to sign the contract on behalf of the Municipality.  A motion to that effect passed unanimously at council's September 23 meeting.

Reedyk indicated to council that he expected TCC would work will all affected citizens to ensure they received the benefits of the new towers, including those in low lying or otherwise difficult locations.

Four 40-90' towers are planned, at the following locations

1. Maycroft Tower      NW31-10-2 W5
2. Beaver Mines          NW-4-6-2 W5 
3. Spread Eagle           SW14-29-3 W5
4. Gladstone                SWI9-1-5 W5 

The $266,000 budget (not including GST), subject to possible necessary revisions in accordance with the contract between the Municipality and TCC, is as follows:

     4 Tower Structures delivered to location    $66,400
     4 Tower Accessories (Saftey cables, mounts etc.)  $17,036
     4 Cabling and Patch Panels   $4,000
     8 Data Switches   $2796
     4 Site Enclosures  $14,000
     4 Power Systems   $45,120
     4 Electronics Cabinets    $4,796
     4 Sets of Radios and Antennas  $14,664
     4 Fencing  $16,000
     4 Site survey, prep and erection   $81,18
   
                      Total:   $266,000

75% of the project is to be covered by the $200,000 Rural Final Mile grant,  $25,000 (13%)  is to be covered by the Municipality, and $32,340 (12%) is to be covered by Tough Country Communications, with the difference remaining to be divided between TCC and the Municipality.