Bonnyville is getting ready for another year.
As 2016 comes to a close, Town of Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski and MD of Bonnyville Reeve Ed Rondeau reflected on some of the areas accomplishments over the past year, and shared some of the projects residents can expect for 2017.
Based on the area's current economic state, the town may not be able to accomplish as much in 2017 as they have in previous years.
The waterline project between the town and the City of Cold Lake is expected to continue its course in the planning process, with engineering and possibly construction later in the year.
“I am very hopeful we will see construction on the waterline,” said Sobolewski.
The project will see a waterline supply clean drinking water to the Town of Bonnyville from Cold Lake, providing some of Alberta's “best drinking water,” to residents.
“That is very important to us,” Sobolewski noted.
In April, the town was awarded $350,000 from the provincial government through the Alberta Community Partnership Grant, providing council with funding to help get the project started. The town added the project, dubbed the Water for Life program, to their 2016 budget, including $400 million in funding over the next five years.
The MD of Bonnyville supports the project 100 per cent, said Rondeau, adding council is excited to see it moving forward in the New Year.
“The biggest thing for development for a region is good water. If there is no good water, people tend to not want to live there… if you have good water and good recreation, people tend to see that as a big plus in their lives,” explained Rondeau. “It's very important.”
He continued, that although the current water quality in the town is not “the worst,” it is certainly not the best.
A municipal election will be held in the fall of 2017, something Rondeau and his council kept in mind.
“Because the MD has done a lot of the building it required in the past six or seven years, this year is pretty much going to be on roads and trying to catch up on some of the contracts that weren't completed,” explained Rondeau. “It's going to be kind of a catch-up year, so when the new council comes in the fall, they are not having to finish off what another council started before.”
This year, the MD will focus on a number of road projects, including Baywood Rd. in Cold Lake and Gurneyville Rd. in Bonnyville.
“That (Baywood Rd.) is some repairs and some construction and some paving,” Rondeau noted. “It's important to the resident's of that region because it is quite a popular road.”
Over the years, town council has heard a number of complaints regarding the conditions of roads throughout Bonnyville, and has taken resident's concerns into consideration when planning out their projects for the new year.
This year, 34 St., Gurneyville Rd., and 66 St. will be the focus of the town's attention, aside from the waterline and finishing off the town hall.
“We have all heard the complaints… so that's very important to finish,” Sobolewski said.
These roadways will be paved, as requested by residents. Construction is also scheduled to finally be completed along 51 Ave. this coming year.
Sobolewski said there isn't much that can beat the town hosting the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, and overall, the past year has been “phenomenal.”
“Considering the economic downturn, we started construction on the town office using mandated local labour and construction materials and equipment.”
He added, there are communities who are turning to the town's policy for that project in terms of their own.
“They are looking at adopting something similar for their uses as well,” Sobolewski continued that is just another “feather in the town's cap.”
Rondeau said in terms of the MD, they too have had a fabulous year, and look forward to 2017.
