The downtown landscape in Ponoka will change in 2018 as construction gets underway on the new Community Learning Centre at the north end of 50th Street.

Eagle Builders near Blackfalds is hard at work manufacturing the exterior walls of the 3 storey building, which are set to arrive on the old hospital site mid-to late next month.

Mayor Rick Bonnett explains how town services will be set up within the new centre.

“2nd floor is the general offices for all of the town staff, right now we are spread out all over the community with our Planning and Development Department and Recreation in different areas.  This will bring us all into one house, right across from our town shop.  3rd floor will be Council Chambers and some extra space for leasing”.

The main floor will be a real community hub housing a Campus Alberta Central learning centre, offering a variety of courses for all ages looking to further their education as well as the Ponoka Jubilee Library.

Bonnett says they've worked hard on plans to revitalize the downtown and this will really change the north end.

“We’ve seen the south end of town with the new Battle River Medical Clinic and IGA expanding their building, so that makes the south side of town look good, and now with this on the north side and Lacombe Action Group which is building their facility in there now as we speak right now too, it’s going to revitalize that whole area and then we’ll just start filling in, in-between”.

Lacombe Action Group will be opening a new care home on the same site as the Community Learning Centre, able to accommodate 8 individuals with developmental disabilities.

The former Town Hall in Ponoka was demolished in 2016 due to serious health and safety concerns, including mould and asbestos.

While the site remains vacant, Bonnett says they'll be looking to explore some options in 2018.

“Looking to do something different and new on the downtown revitalization side, we’ve got the Douglas Cardinal Building which is our provincial building, which is one of the Seven Wonders of Canada.  We’re looking to work with the provincial and the federal government to do something exciting and different there, maybe make a Town Square”.

If construction of the new Community Learning Centre stays on schedule, Bonnett says they hope to be moving in right after Stampede, just ahead of the 2018/19 school year for Campus Alberta Central.