The District of Invermere Council authorized the purchase of a number of new pieces of equipment at the May 24 regular council meeting. The different items were a rubber-tired skid steer at a cost of $37,296, a Freightliner truck including the Dell snow removal package costing $133,444, and a SIHI vacuum pump for the Athalmer Lift Station in the amount of $11,000. In the recommendation to council dealing with the skid steer, staff had informed council that the current skid steer had reached the end of its lifespan.

The recommendation read in part, “The District has many uses for this particular piece of equipment as the District has recorded 2,800 hours of working time over ten years, 280 hours per year. This valuable piece of equipment is in use 12 months a year performing duties from snow clearing to job site construction clean-up to unloading freight at the Public Works Yard. This versatile piece of equipment also is self transporting and has many universal attachments that can be purchased to fulfill the Districts needs. The attachments that the District presently owns are universal and can be used on the new skid steer.”

Chief Administration Officer Chris Prosser informed council that repairs to the current skid steer were costing the District a great sum of money annually. Council approved the purchase to the lowest quotation of one John Deere 218 D Skid Steer.

In the recommendation dealing with the truck, staff informed council, “The additional responsibilities and challenges being created within the community suggests the opportunity to provide the operations department a second option in responding to winter road conditions in challenging areas and the ability to provide a safer and more cost effective service. The combination dump box sander can be used 12 months a year without any cost in change over from winter to spring. The safety feature of being able to lay down sand in front of the rear tires for constant traction while plowing snow up steep grades gives the operator a safer vehicle to operate and is more cost effective than plowing first and returning to sand later.” Originally council allocated up to $180,000 to purchase the new piece of equipment but in the end the cost will be $133,444.

The pump purchase was to make sure the Athalmer Lift Station has a back-up on-hand in case it was needed.