Joe Hordyski became mayor during a La Ronge by-election only months ago. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Year in Review

Hordyski believes 2023 will be a time of progress for La Ronge

Dec 23, 2022 | 12:00 PM

“I would say 2022 was almost like a comeback year for the town.”

Those are the words of La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski, who explained the municipality is on track to initiate some major changes in the coming year thanks to all the work completed in 2022. He said the town now has a full management staff in place including a chief administrative officer, chief financial officer, and deputy-CAO/community planner.

A project coordinator has also been hired and advertisements are out to hire a community services programmer and a long-term care fundraising coordinator. Construction of the new 80-bed long-term care facility is expected to begin this spring and the tri-communities are obligated to come up with the costs for furnishings.

“It’s very significant. It is the biggest project we’ve had,” Hordyski said. “It’s going to be a huge impact to the community. The staff requirements are obviously going to bring more people into the community, more professional people. It’s certainly been something that has been a long time coming.”

The 2023 capital plan calls for $18.5 million in spending with $11 million coming from grants, $6.6 million from reserves, $500,000 from land sales, and $335,000 from tri-community partner contributions. All of the grant money acquired is earmarked for the La Ronge Airport.

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From reserve spending, $3.6 million will be directed towards upgrades at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. Another $1.1 million will be spent on machinery and equipment like a new grader and sweeper, while $130,000 will be spent on the new Robertson Park Green Space, $125,000 for downtown revitalization, and $100,000 for the Highway 102 economic corridor plan.

A 10-year capital plan released in December calls for $10 million of spending at the rink by 2032.

“There are people are the table, as well as in the community, who are not comfortable with the town investing $10 million potentially into an old facility, so we are going to have strategic planning early in the New Year to look at the options and what things can potentially be deferred, so we aren’t wasting money,” Hordsyki said. “We still have our eyes out for some money to go with a new facility. We are going to look at all options.”

Final reports for both the Highway 102 economic corridor plan and for downtown revitalization will be completed in the coming months. Council plans on spending at least $6.5 million on those projects in the coming years.

La Ronge council itself has changed in 2022 starting with the resignation of Colin Ratushniak in July, who cited personal and professional reasons for his departure. He was replaced by Hordyski in a byelection in October, which then triggered another byelection because he was an existing member of council. Terry Hunt won that byelection on Nov. 30.

“Colin had some strong points. He was pretty good at communication skills. He brought a lot of the communication improvements to council, but he didn’t know the community whereas I bring 24 years of experience,” Hordyski said. “I feel I can move the town forward from here. I think we’ve noticed a difference and maybe it has to do with the choice on staff. It just seems like the atmosphere in the town has improved over the past few months.”

Other changes coming to La Ronge in 2023 will be the installation of a 5G cellular tower, the sale of the local provincial liquor store and the development of more land for housing.

“I want to wish all the residents of the town a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year,” Hordyski said. “I want to thank our management and staff for all the work they have done. I know it’s going to be an exciting New Year and I look forward to it.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno