The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has established a Corporate Asset Management (AM) team to encourage whole life valuation of municipal assets.
- AM is focused on developing a comprehensive inventory of municipal assets. This includes the identification of associated operational and maintenance costs throughout the lifecycle of municipal infrastructure.
- The Municipality oversees a diverse range of assets, including:
- 277 significant vertical structures
- 303 parks and recreational areas featuring over 10,000 individual park assets
- 1152 kilometers of roads, 551 kilometers of underground water pipes
- 463 kilometers of sanitary collection pipes, and
- 335 kilometers of storm water piping
- Additionally, the Municipality manages 7800 IT assets and 1069 units of light and heavy-duty equipment.
- The Asset Management Plans (AMP) detail our responsibilities for the next decade, focusing on maintaining the current level of service for our assets while also addressing major capital projects that are required.
RMWB Asset Management Strategy
The Asset Management (AM) Strategy will serve as a centralized hub, facilitating long-term capital planning, establishing maintenance plans and the prioritization of work. Additionally, it will aid in risk analysis to support operational needs and mitigate potential emergencies through proactive scheduling of preventative maintenance treatments and lifecycle replacements.
The Municipality manages various asset types, each with its own requirements for ongoing maintenance and upgrades, as outlined below.
Roads and Bridges
A significant portion of the Municipality’s Road network and bridges are nearing the end of their useful life or require maintenance treatment. Immediate and long-term rehabilitation efforts are essential to uphold safety and operational efficiency.
Public Buildings
Public buildings, including libraries and administrative offices, require renovations and upgrades to meet modern standards and extend their useful life.
Water and Wastewater Treatment
To ensure a reliable and continuous level of service for our residents while meeting regulatory requirements set by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA), it is crucial to conduct lifecycle upgrades, replacements, and expansions of our regional Water and Wastewater systems.
Recreational spaces
Investing in parks, sports facilities, and community centers is essential for enhancing the well-being of our citizens and addressing the recreational needs of the region.
As approved by Council and included in both current and future budgets, there are significant capital projects that require completion, including:
- Flood mitigation
- Rural Water and Sewer Servicing
- Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation
- Saunderson Pressure Reducing Valve
- North Operations Centre
- Northside Twin Arenas
There are also many unbudgeted items that must be considered in the Asset Management Strategy and any associated impact on the Municipality, including:
- Designated Industrial Property Dispute
- Government of Alberta Transfer of Secondary Roads
- Master Land Agreement (with the Government of Alberta)
The AM Strategy will provide crucial support as the Municipality embarks on its AM journey. Although there are challenges related to current data acquisition and the development of AM practices, the Strategy will strengthen our capacity to implement AM effectively and plan for future budgetary requirements. These next steps will enable the RMWB to manage resources and taxpayer funds more efficiently, ultimately leading to greater fiscal responsibility over time.