It’s been nine years since voters turned down amalgamation plans for Black Diamond and Turner Valley, but it’s time to revisit a merger.
The two towns have asked the provincial government for a $150,000 grant to pay for a feasibility study looking at merging the two communities.
The last time they considered amalgamating in 2007, voters in Black Diamond rejected the idea in a plebiscite, while Turner Valley residents supported it.
There have been a lot of changes in both communities and in the relationship between local governments in the last nine years.
The two towns have aligned several bylaws and they share a water system after the 2013 flood washed out Black Diamond’s water treatment plant. A Friendship Agreement signed in 2012 brought their relationship closer together with both towns sharing services and staffing.
As the area continues to grow and develop, it’s inevitable the two communities will build up to each other’s borders.
At this point, amalgamation is just another step along a road Black Diamond and Turner Valley have been following together for several years now.
However, if the Towns decide to go ahead with amalgamation once all the studies and investigation are done, they need to hold a plebiscite.
Residents’ opinions may have changed in the last nine years too.
There will need to be a strong, solid case based on facts to support amalgamation and, in the end, residents deserve to have a say.
