BONNYVILLE - With 2019 coming to an end, local municipal leaders reflected on the past year and pondered what 2020 could bring.
Strengthening bonds with their neighbours, the regional waterline getting closer to completion, and work being done on roads were what came to minds of local officials as highlights for last year. Seeing new projects break ground and the events that could come to the region were what they were looking forward to in 2020.
Reminiscing about 2019
With all of the celebrations that took place in the Town of Bonnyville, Mayor Gene Sobolewski couldn't pick just one that stood out.
"All of the events were fun in their own right and they were amazing," he exclaimed. "We had the first ever Indian Relay Races, and those were exciting, but we also had some phenomenal parades that had us coming together as a community, which is a very proud moment. We had the unveiling of the (Léon Paul Bougie Ballpark sign), and things like that. It's all part and parcel of who we are as a community."
The contributions the town made to strengthening bonds with neighbouring municipalities was another feather in their cap, Sobolewski stated.
"We all have to work together as a region, and look for opportunities within the region to enhance all of our communities."
Sobolewski said major progress being made on the regional waterline was a highlight of 2019, and sees the 2020 spring completion date as the "light at the end of the tunnel."
MD of Bonnyville Reeve Greg Sawchuk agreed.
"There's been a lot of progress made, and the fact that the pipe is under the (Beaver) River, that was a huge part. Now the huge things are working on the infrastructure in the city at the main station there, and then the transfer station, and the final tie-in down in Bonnyville, those are going to be the last things to be done. Once that's wrapped up the water will start flowing," he explained.
Construction on MD campgrounds and trails stood out in Sawchuck's mind as positives from the past year.
"Those projects were what our surveys brought back to us, and we were happy to deliver on some of the things that the residents told us that they wanted," he said, adding he enjoyed seeing residents attend events to share their thoughts with the municipality on different topics.
"The fact that the MD got out there and had a lot of interactions with the public through, not only our budget open houses, but a number of area structure plans and recreation open houses as well in regards to the pool and recreation park, all of those were great to get the feedback from the residents."
In the City of Cold Lake, Mayor Craig Copeland said doctor recruitment tops the list of high points from 2019.
"We're starting to see a uptick of doctors wanting to work in Cold Lake, so I think the work done by Hearts for Healthcare and the doctors that are at the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre and our hospital manager have done a great job there to recruit doctors into our community. That's really exciting," he exclaimed.
It was also a big year for recreation in the city, with the compleition of the Energy Centre's second hockey rink and the grand opening of the new artificial turf field, which was named Thomas Varughese Memorial Field.For the Village of Glendon, 2019 brought some major infrastructure projects for the small community.
"The fact that we were able to complete two roads, water, sewer, and the road, which doesn't seem like a lot for other municipalities, but for us it's huge," expressed Mayor Laura Papirny.
Upgrades to the outside of the curling rink was another item Papirny was pleased to see get finished.
"The members of the curling club have always fundraised for their own fixes, but this year we were able to contribute to much more work to the outside of it."
Looking ahead to 2020
With the unknowns surrounding the ID 349 agreement, local municipalities aren't sure what the future holds.
"Projects are all dependent on what happens with ID 349... there's a major amount of uncertainty right now," noted Sobolewski.
Sawchuk said, "When the word finally comes out, we'll have to absorb all of those numbers and react accordingly. There's not too much we can do until we know where it's going to go."
Sawchuk, Copeland, and Sobolewski agreed finishing the waterline is going to greatly benefit the region.
"Bonnyville and others will have the Cold Lake drinking water by the summer, and that's really going to be a positive change," Copeland expressed.
The Cold Lake mayor added he hopes 2020 is finally the year that something will be done about Hwy. 28.
"It's a direct path from Edmonton and it's falling apart. The province needs to really take a hard look at Hwy. 28."
In the MD, Sawchuk hopes to see the adventure park at Kinosoo Ridge break ground, and looks forward to continuing to work on improving recreation in the municipality,
Papirny said Glendon is planning for more road construction in the new year, and she's excited to see the progression of Glendon School's Green and GOLD project.
"The school will be able to host more events, which will bring more people in and will be great for community members because it will be open for people to use the track when the school kids aren't," Papirny detailed. "The kids will now have a safe place to practice instead of running on the streets, and I think it will be a great hub for the community."
