Tisdale’s mayor said the largest story of 2016 was the town’s economic growth.
“The big highlight of the year was probably the big increase in commercial and industrial building permits,” Al Jellicoe said.
As of the end of October 2016, there were 35 total permits issued valued at $3.7 million, compared to 27 in 2015 valued at $1.7 million.
Jellicoe said he’s predicting that will grow in 2017.
“[For] 2017, there are already people talking of buying land and building,” he said. “We’re hoping we’ll have record commercial permits. Hopefully that will bring more people to town. Hopefully people will move into town, so our population will go up a little bit.”
Sobeys is expected to construct a new building for its new-obtained liquor sales operation, while the Beeland Co-op has revealed plans to build a new Food Store in the spring.
The town’s storefront enhancement program was also well-used this year by local business owners.
Lobbying the province
The provincial government will see more of Tisdale in Regina as the town prepares to ramp up its lobbying efforts.
The mayor said the focus will be on securing grants to help with infrastructure, RECplex repairs and maybe even a new multi-use facility.
“There’s going to be changes to the health regions, probably the school divisions, so it’s something that we have to keep in touch with,” he said.
The Kelsey Trail Health Region is headquartered in Tisdale, something that might be threatened if the province decides to reduce the number of health regions. Jellicoe said he hopes that even if the government decides to create larger health regions, that they would still need administrators in the area.
“We believe that there will always be a need for administration. That building can still house administration there.”
Changes at the top
The 2016 year saw changes to who’s running the town.
The civic election saw two new councillors elected: Mike Hill and Brendan Samida. The mayor said they face a large learning curve but they are taking the challenge head-on.
“They are actually coming around good.”
The previous year also saw the retirement of the town’s long-time recreation and parks director.
“The only change personnel-wise is Dwight Olson retired and Lesley Thibault replaced him.”
Jellicoe said he’s pleased with Thibault’s performance so far.
Other changes in 2016
There were other changes of note in 2016.
The slogan was changed from The Land of Rape and Honey to Opportunity Grows Here.
“It’s been very positive,” Jellicoe said. “[When] we changed the slogan, it grabbed attention across the whole world.”
The town had 600 trees donated to it, which it planted.
“2016 was the first full year of the [Lions] Campground,” Jellicoe said. “That was well-received by the community. It’s only going to get better as the trees get bigger.”
There’s also a need for another doctor in town. The mayor said the town will promote itself and the new HealthPlex to attract that new doctor to come here.
