The Municipality of Wawa's seeking public input, as Council considers capital plans for the next four years.
In a special meeting last night, staff presented Council with a draft 2024 Capital Budget, touted as the Municipality's first "true" multi-year budget, outlining plans not just for 2024 but through 2027, intended to align with the municipality's strategic, asset management, and other plans, as well as infrastructure needs but under principles of "sustainable", "affordable", and "necessary".
In total, it proposes a total of about $3.3-million in projects for 2024 - $427,000 coming from taxation, $1,031,000 from reserves, and more than $1,840,000 from grants or other sources - with a further $3,090,000 planned for 2025, $3,462,000 for 2026, and $3,174,000 for 2027.
Continuing projects mentioned include the Liquefied Natural Gas project, the 5-Year Tourism Plan, Cemetery expansion, and Landfill expansion, though key projects outlined for 2024 include: a Town Hall redesign study; a municipal Organizational Review; computer hardware upgrades; two phases of renovations at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, including lobby redesign, some flooring, gym and dance renovations, an outdoor sign, and HVAC replacement; structural repairs for the Drill Rig, followed by beautification; new tourism billboards; Fire Hall renovation design and drawing, followed in 2025 or 2026 by the actual renovation or expansion; a new asphalt hot box for the Infrastructure Services Department, along with sidewalk replacement and ongoing pavement preservation; Airport equipment; and a Water Distribution upgrade; though items mentioned for future years include: renovations of the Tourist Information Centre interior; work on the M-M-C-C roof; a new Fire Department pumper truck; a Sand and Salt Dome for Infrastructure Services; and a Water Tower upgrade.
Other items considered "subject to funding" include potential replacement of the Cenotaph; the Marina washroom; "Phase 2" of the Waterfront; work at the Goose Nest and at Vallee Park, including a new bridge; and work at the Airport Terminal Building, including a sand and salt dome.
The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel - with the slide show to be posted on the Municipality's website - plans are to accept public input until October 25th, then bring the capital budget up for Council approval November 7th, and - once that's confirmed - present the draft operating budget November 14th, so it can come up for Council approval December 12th.