Dignitaries from across Red Deer and Lacombe Counties gathered at Lacombe Memorial Centre this afternoon to officially kick off construction of the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater System Project.

A 26 km wastewater pipeline will connect Lacombe, Lacombe County and Blackfalds to the regional wastewater treatment facility in Red Deer.

The North Red Deer regional wastewater system project will receive just under $30 million in funding from the provincial and federal government for a total of close to $60 million.

Alberta Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Brian Mason was also in attendance and said the province is always looking for ways to improve the quality of life for Albertans.

“One of the ways to do that is to make sure that they have the infrastructure whether it’s roads, safe drinking water, waste water or cultural facilities.”

“All of those things are essential to strong communities, strong families and our government has made that a major priority.”

Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi also made the trip to Lacombe.

Lacombe Mayor Steve Christie said having proper waste treatment will have a significant impact on the economy.

“Without wastewater treatment, without solid waste types of services you’re not going to grow, you’re not going to attract businesses, you’re not going to attract residents and therefor your economics aren’t going to work out that well.”

The total cost of the project is estimated at $71 million dollars, with remaining costs covered by the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater Services Commission.

Construction also includes regional lift stations in Lacombe and Blackfalds and an odour management facility in Red Deer. The project is expected to be complete by March 31, 2018.