It’s time for an autumn city assessment.
Local taxpayers appear to have received value for their dollars in this current year. There is ample evidence to support this claim.
With the exception of there still being a few embarrassing streets and avenues, Estevan is beginning to take on the look of a city worthy of hosting the Saskatchewan Summer Games and the Western Canada Cup (WCC) in 2016.
The bonus factor is, of course, the fact that we’ll get to keep and maintain some of the additional infrastructural items for years to come, which will help boost civic morale and keep the volunteer base growing.
Major strides have been taken on the recreation and parks side of the picture. This is as it should be since they will be the showcase items for athletes and spectators who will descend on the Energy City within the next few months.
We have the keystone facility, Affinity Place,which is new enough and spruced up enough to serve as our welcoming venue.
The leisure centre itself, while aging, is still a point of local pride and service on several sports and cultural fronts.
There is a new track that takes a back seat to none other in the province, situated right in front of the Comprehensive School which will be another focal point. The track will be a highlight item while ECS will, hopefully, receive a fresh slash of lipstick in time to serve as an athlete’s village.
Woodlawn Regional Park(s), both I and II, have been tended to with loving care and that has included restoration after the devastating floods and then expansion and fresh grooming and brand new looks.
City streets now boast some nice greenery in the form of rapidly maturing trees and flower beds and local green spaces sported wonderful floral displays this summer while our showcase boulevards were dug down and re-excavated in time for a new look this coming spring.
With Sixth Street now receiving a well-deserved refurbishment and a new heavy truck bypass about to open (any year now), our city’s basic needs are being met.
Even the dust swirls that constantly beleaguer our central business district every summer, appeared to be lessened significantly this year, thanks to frequent street sweeping by the City and sidewalk maintenance from store and office owners.
There are still weeds peeking out of cracks and holes that should not be allowed to happen, and we certainly use a lot of refined gravel to make up for a lack of grass in some locations, but the overall picture appears to be coming together.
Naturally there will be criticisms to be levelled and received as tension will mount when we move closer to the actual Summer Games and the WCC dates; but for right now, it seems as if our employees and volunteers have been diligently meeting the forward-looking mandates.
We need to keep in mind that not everything will be perfect when we spread out the welcome mat next year, but the mat will be clean and, more importantly, the spirit of goodwill accompanied by a welcoming smile, will be prevalent among our citizens as we welcome strangers, who we hope will become friends into our midst.
With our recreational and cultural contributions being placed front and centre, we’re eagerly looking forward to what will be some pretty exciting times.
