Mayor’s Message

Typically August is a slightly slower month in Chestermere for the Town staff and Council; a time when work catch-up is done and projects are completed in the sunshine. This year though there was no slow down. Construction projects were moved back from their regular start dates due to flooding and flood relief efforts we provided to many municipal neighbours, so August was a very busy month.
The expansion of Anniversary Park and the creation of the beach area were started in August. When the lake levels drop and the ground freezes up the retaining wall will be built. All of the dirt now being stock piled in the park will be used to backfill the area and double the size of the existing park. Then work begins on the beach that so many residents have been requesting! Final touches will be done during 2014, including the placement of the Cenotaph. Over the last year we have been working hard to look for funding and are happy to say the entire project is paid for by grants and corporate sponsorship.
The Facilities and Amenities Plan Committee was brought together to take the initial steps toward making the major recreation centre and fields into a concrete plan. A draft report was completed in August and will be brought to Council for approval in September. Part of the report focuses on a location for this facility as well as updating pathways within the Town so cyclists and pedestrians alike will have better connections. If you have an interest in being involved with this committee please contact Jennifer Finnigan at 403-207-7050.
As our community grows we need to ensure that we protect precious wetlands and develop in a smart, ecologically sensitive way. Our Planning Department staff, supported by Council, started an inventory of Chestermere’s wetlands at the beginning of summer. This was completed in August and a new wetlands policy is being brought to Council in the next few weeks. The Alberta Government is also recreating their policy; components from our plan are even reflected in theirs. It’s our intent to align the final document with the Provincial strategy and create a bylaw that will keep nature well preserved and protected.
Finally our staff are pulling together a new component of our website called “Rumour Has It” that will address some of the most common questions, rumours and misconceptions that are to be found being discussed in the community. For instance a common rumour is about Chestermere getting a hotel (an application is in to the Planning Commission!) or about another grocery store coming to town (there was new zoning done for one but no application yet). If you have a rumour you’d like to see addressed please contact Megan Matthies at mmatthies@chestermere.ca or me at pmatthews@chestermere.ca or drop by a Mocha Monday on the 1st Monday of every month; the location is on our website or in the Anchor.
Don’t forget the kids are back at school so please take extra care on the roads with little ones out and about.
Sincerely
Patricia