(File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)
Developing the future

Recreational, infrastructure, and asset management goals set for future in Melfort

Aug 25, 2021 | 2:00 PM

The City of Melfort has outlined where they are going in the next three years following the release of their strategic plan.

City manager Adam Holmes told northeastNOW of their three goals; “exceptional recreational opportunities and experiences”, “excellence in assets” and “dynamic economic diversity and prosperity”, and the 10 strategies and forty-five tactics chosen in relation to these goals were developed after discussions with staff and council.

Developing new and maintaining current recreational opportunities and city infrastructure are high on the list of tactics that made the strategic plan list, including developing a new reservoir park on the east side of the city, an outdoor stage and park pavilion, as well as a new compost facility and rehabilitating farmland.

Recreational opportunities are important for a population’s quality of life, said Holmes, while the city needs a plan in place for maintaining city infrastructure while having plans in place to eventually replace aging assets.

Other items on the list revolved around relationship building with urban and rural municipalities and First Nation communities, while also promoting arts, culture, tourism, and economic growth, for example advocating for property development along Highway Three and Saskatchewan Drive.

Maintaining city assets, or having plans in place to replace aging infrastructure, is an important part of these strategies, said Holmes.

“We need to get a plan together to tackle that issue.”

Many of these lofty projects will need funding help from third parties, said Holmes, and the development of the strategic plan ensures the city is prepared to apply for grants to make these goals a reality.

“A lot of these plans are going to rely on third-party funding from provincial and federal governments to make that happen but I think one of our big focus is to make sure that we have a good solid bookshelf, with plans, especially on your infrastructure side, so that we can have a ready for those grants when they come available.”

The next step is integrating the plan into the budget planning for the upcoming 2022 budget season, said Holmes, and that will ensure that the plan is utilized by city council and staff.

becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim

View Comments