Crossfield Mayor Nathan Anderson has been fielding some questions from residents concerning the new campground at the intersection of Limit Ave. and Highway 2A.
Residents have been concerned as to why the campground offer was not discussed publically in a council meeting.
“The Municipal Government Act dictates that we cannot publically discuss a private offer that we have received until we actually accept the offer,” said Anderson.
“I do emphasize with this concern. Government is a strange beast. We manage the collective purse and the citizens feel that they should know exactly what is going on. However, we have to respect the provincial legislation.”
The Town of Crossfield didn’t list the land for sale to the general public, instead they were approached by the purchasers, who proposed to buy the land and develop a campground.
“This fulfilled the Town’s intent for this property. Accepting the offer would help the taxpayer out financially by unloading the carrying costs of the property,” said Anderson.
“It would also fulfil the desire of the community to have a campground much sooner. We were not considering selling, rather, we were planning on developing the campground using tax dollars when it could be afforded in the future.”
Residents have been concerned as to whether the Town got a fair price for the land, but Anderson says there are a number of details that must be understood concerning the purchase.
The land was subdivided into two plots, one 15-acre plot of raw land, and a five-acre plot containing the house, barn and shop.
The 15-acre plot was sold for $450,000, which Anderson said is the fair market price, while the five-acre developed piece of land was kept, giving the new landowners the option to purchase it in the future.
“We are selling the property for exactly what we paid for it,” said Anderson.
“We feel this is a win for the taxpayer, a win for those who want a campground… and a win for the believers that government shouldn’t be in the business of doing business. I am very happy with the outcome and so is council.”
Anderson has also heard concerns from residents who live in the area around the new Iron Landing development. Residents are concerned that Harrison Street will be used as the link to the new development for construction traffic.
Anderson dispelled that concern as the developers will be using a road linking Township Road 290 with the first phase of construction of the development.
“All large construction traffic will be accessing the Iron Landing development via a construction road linking phase one with Township Road 290,” said Anderson.
“The access road will run from the north and keep the bulk of traffic off Harrison Street.”
