“And I had but one penny in the world, thou should’st have it to buy gingerbread.”

–Shakespeare

Saturday, Dec. 9th is Gingerbread Decorating Day

Fun Fact: From the 17th century onwards gingerbread was sold in pharmacies in England, where it was thought to have medicinal properties. The ginger and cinnamon in gingerbread cookies make them a great pain reliever. Consuming gingerbread cookies may even relieve headaches and menstrual cramps according to healthshots.com. 👏👏 You’re welcome 😁

Amphitheatre at Lake Stafford Park suggested location is in front of a row of spruce trees, facing northeast towards the lake. Council will seek public input before final approval through a formal public hearing or by requesting comments. Discussions within the Council Committee included options for public feedback, parking capacity, potential expansion, and environmental impacts.

Brooks Fire Department's fundraising progress for the 2024 Regional Fire Safety Simulator Trailer, listed in the 10-Year Capital Plan. With strong community support, over half of the $200,000 goal has been raised, and full funding is expected by June 2024. The wheelchair-accessible solar-powered mobile trailer provides realistic fire prevention training for both children and adults, featuring digital flames, smoke, heat, and integrated sound effects that simulate fire. It also has a severe weather training feature. Its projected 20+ years lifespan will benefit the entire Brooks Newell Region.

Brooks Rotary Club requested the City to donate the soon-to-be-decommissioned 1999 GMC fire truck to their Los Amigos Project. The 1999 GMC fire truck, retiring in February 2024, may face challenges in selling due to lower demand. Donating it to the Rotary's project ensures its continued vital role in enhancing safety in Mexican communities.

Twinkle Tour Map is being prepared! It will showcase the most dazzling Christmas light displays in our region. Know a twinkly house? Send it to Brooks Region Tourism so it can be part of the Twinkle Tour!

Saturday December 9 5-8:00PM

Food from different Nations

Photo Booth, Door Prizes, Games for Kids & Adults, Christmas Carols

Brooks Alliance Church - 304 Cassils Road East

Public transportation pilot project was discussed by Council Committee. Questions about timelines, bus specifications, utilization, and potential exit strategies were addressed. Earlier discussions had brought up the possibility of using Access Transit but recent increases in ridership, service capacity limitations and eligibility criteria set by the Council rule out this option. A Budget Decision Package for a public transportation pilot project is being brought forward at the budget meeting this week.

Salt Flats Solar project landscape architectural renderings are now available for the solar farm located within the urban boundaries of Brooks, which show the 900m eco-buffer, multipurpose trail, and water station. Pace Solar is constructing the Salt Flats project and has answers for 51 FAQ from Battery Storage to Who has the final decision. They also provide a link to a map of all wind and solar applied, approved and in-service projects in Alberta

Rodeo Ground Update Grasslands Public Schools cannot respond to the City's funding request for the new proposed Sports Field complex until they receive their budget from the Provincial Government in March 2024. Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools decided not to contribute, and there's no response yet from Conseil Scolaire Francosud. Premier/MLA Smith mentioned a provincial commitment of $80 million for recreation grants. Despite initial reluctance from stakeholders, Council Committee is proceeding with the current design, applying for grants, and continuing fundraising efforts.

Brooks Trails Master Plan - Twelve new trail segments were identified in the overall trail conceptual map. A trail priority matrix was developed to help the City plan and prioritize implementation of the proposed trail system. The criteria in the prioritization matrix include:

• Population Density – The population ranking evaluates the number of residents served by a trail segment.

• System Connectivity and Integration – evaluates the critical linkages to the overall network and commercial centers, schools, parks, recreational center, municipal facilities, and other points of interest.

• Experiential Scenic and Aesthetic – routes located off main corridors, with lower noise and pollution, along creeks or with attractive vegetation and trees.

• Public Survey and Comments – analysis of resident survey, online interactive map and user group meetings have generated community priorities.

• Feasibility and Constructability – constructability analysis included site visits to the proposed trail routes and desktop feasibility studies.