Magrath council hears proposal to install head-gates lighting

Jeremy Appel
Westwind Weekly News

Magrath town council heard a proposal at its May 22 meeting to install a security camera and lighting at its historic head-gates from Lethbridge-based RKH Architecture.
The total cost of the project, which has yet to be approved, would be $46,300.39, according to an estimate the company provided to town administration.
CAO Wade Alston says the purpose of the initiative is twofold — to shine a light on a historic part of town while preventing vandalism.
“We’re looking at a camera security system to control graffiti and potential vandalism at the head-gates, so we’re looking at a solar-powered camera security system,” he said.
“And also lighting, a lot of it is just for public safety reasons, but it’s more artistic kind of lighting, with different lighting displays at different times of the year.
“(It) would showcase the head-gates in a very dramatic sort of way, with different colour displays. It would be LED-related and is part of the security aspect as well.”
The head-gates for Magrath’s irrigation system — a designated National Historic Site — were first built in 1899, but the town replaced its wood build with concrete in 1920.
Vandalism of the site hasn’t been a major issue in the past, but it’s always good to remain vigilant, Alston added.
“We’ve been exposing the old concrete structure and there has been graffiti,” he said. “It’s not a huge issue, but it’s something we want to be out in front of.
“As we restore the old structure … we want to keep it as pristine as we can.”

Rod and Gun Club proposal for bow hunting

Council also heard a proposal from the local Rod and Gun Club to permit bow hunting at its facility, half of which is located in the town.
Alston said, if approved by council, the bow hunt would take place in the fall, when hunting season begins.
The issue is that part of the club’s area goes through the Magrath trail, which is why the club’s property in the town has forbidden hunting in the past, he said.
However, the town has an overpopulation of deer, “so we’re looking at creating more opportunities for hunters,” said Alston.
“They were laying out some parameters under which hunting could occur on those lands.”