The shorter days and the cooler temperatures mean that fall now has a grip over the Estevan area.
It also means the capital works season for the City of Estevan is virtually finished.
One of the big projects this year – the refurbishment and resurfacing for parts of Sixth Street and Souris Avenue South – wrapped up last week. The two arterial roads were shut down from Sept. 21 to Oct. 27.
Crews rebuilt Sixth Street from 13th Avenue to Souris Avenue South, and Souris Avenue South from Sixth Street to Fourth Street.
The roads had been in need of resurfacing for years, thanks to the prevalence of potholes and ruts.
The big project, though, was the rehabilitation of the runways at the Estevan Airport. The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program covered 60 per cent of the $4.6 million cost, since the resurfacing stemmed from the impact of the flood of 2011 at the airport.
“The engineering was good and Souris Valley Paving was great to work with,” said Jeff Ward, who is the city treasurer and the acting city manager.
Those two big projects this year went smoothly, he said.
“Using a more focused approach on our capital programs, so that we’re not doing too much at once, and we’re not spreading our engineering department or our financial resources, was key,” Ward told the Mercury.
But those weren’t the only two significant projects completed this year. Parks manager Rod March said significant progress has occurred at the Kensington Greens Park. All the dead vegetation was replaced and shrub gardens were topped off with wood mulch.
“Additionally, the surface grading has been restored with soil to facilitate proper and continuous drainage through the park, which will reduce the ponding and subsequent mosquito larva habitat,” March said in an email.
The entire area was reseeded and harrowed in with a grass blend suitable for that area. The irrigation system is rebuilt throughout the entire park. March believes next spring will show significant improvements as the new grass fills in nicely.
Additional work will be happening at the park next year, March said.
Royal Heights Veterans’ Memorial Park also had significant progress this year, with the construction of a new splash park.
Other capital projects completed by the city this year included a geologicial study and a fence at the landfill, which were both required by the provincial government. A new ice compressor was installed at the Civic Auditorium, and a new command vehicle was purchased for the Estevan Fire and Rescue Service.
There was also $1 million for upgrades at the waste water treatment plant, which marks the start of a five-year, multi-million dollar initiative at the plant.
“There wasn’t a lot that we wanted to get done this year that we didn’t do,” said Ward.
Ward said there is some lingering work for the medians on Souris Avenue North that can be completed in early November. The remaining work, which includes grass and other beautification efforts, will be completed in the spring.
The city has also started their transportation master plan. Ward expects information will be released next year.
The focus is now turning towards the 2016 financial plan. Ward has met with all of the department managers and received their reports.
Upgrades will continue at the waste water treatment plant, and there are some lingering projects to tend to that were left over from previous administrations.
Ward expects many of the items that were included for 2016 in the city’s five-year capital plan will be included in next year’s capital budget. Among the highlights for 2016 in the five-year plan is the start of annual allocations for such projects as residential roads, sidewalks and city vehicles.
The budget should be finalized some time in November, and the document should be passed by council in December or January.
