Wawa hears capital budget pitches

algomacounty.com

WAWA – The municipal council of Wawa met with other city officials last week to discuss the capital budget and upcoming projects for 2024 to 2027.

Treasurer and deputy clerk Manuela Batovanja led presentations made to council with her breakdown of the capital budget, which covered a variety of improvements planned for the municipality’s infrastructure, parks, and other services.

Batovanja was quick to point out that while there was a lot of projects and ideas on the go, an upcoming negotiation of union employee’s contracts in 2024 could weigh “heavy” on the budget and that many proposed projects or investments are subject to change.

Some key improvements the committee highlighted were restoring access across Wawa Creek at Valley Park Walking Trail, to pursue funding and finish upgrading their community centre with a particular focus on the HVAC system, and conceptualization with cost estimates and a financing strategy for completion of renovations or expansion of Wawa’s fire hall.

Batovanja also brought “good news” to the council about how the Wawa airport contributed to just over half of the municipality’s surplus budget with about “ten flights every week,” though she also noted that the airport is in need of some upgrades.

“Our airport equipment is very old,” said Batovanja. “We want to keep people safe… so the recommendation is to take $200,000 dollars of that surplus and set it aside specifically for the airport to be used right away in 2024.”

A concern was also raised about the totality of improvements proposed for Valley Park.

Mayor Melanie Pilon observed that “both bridges” and all “stairways” in the park require necessary repairs and maintenance, insisting that the municipality is responsible to “make sure [people] are safe on all water crossings and stairs.”

Coun. Micheline Hatfield, on the other hand, questioned whether a “total revamp” had been officially decided upon by council.

“I wouldn’t say anything is a done deal yet,” said director of community services and tourism Alex Patterson. “I’ve been given direction by council to work with the Voyager Trail Association on land-use issues, trail access issues, trail design issues, things like that – with the responsibility to report back to council at such a time that those issues are resolved with the recommendation on moving forward.”

Patterson further stated that funding for revitalization of Valley Park is not yet finalized and that the community and tourism department is still assessing their options.

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