Results
This was a very productive term! It was a learning curve for me, personally, but an immensely rewarding experience and I’m very proud of all that was accomplished by our council, and more importantly, our incredible Town staff. Some of my favourite accomplishments include:
Critical Infrastructure:
We made significant investments in sidewalk expansions and replacements and dramatically increased the annual paving budget leading to safer, better quality roads for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Critically damaged portions of watermains were replaced on High St and Roberts St among many other utility upgrades. We successfully received Provincial funding for the decommissioning and improvement of two old weirs on Holland Creek.
Water supply was a top priority and important studies were completed, partnerships with the CVRD were secured, and funding was allocated to upgrade and raise the dam heights of both Stocking Lake and Holland Lake - the Town's two water reservoirs. These projects are fully funded and at the design-phase with construction set to begin in 2027.
Our infrastructure deficit is still severe and much more work needs to be done, but I'm confident in the progress we're making.
Parks and Recreation
Transfer Beach received significant accessibility improvements and we secured a grant purchase a "Saddle Span" canopy for events in the amphitheater.
Lot 108 (Forrest Field) saw the addition of a practice pitch, a new scoreboard, outdoor fitness equipment, an accessible walkway, pickleball courts, a bike-skills course, and a full replacement of the turf field.
Frank Jameson Community Centre received significant upgrades to the roof and new and improved fitness equipment.
Public input sessions were held to help develop a plan for Rutti Park which will guide its development and Brown Drive Park received a new pedestrian bridge and is slated for a brand new playground this Fall.
One of my favourite projects related to parks was the development of a mountain bike trail plan which will lead to the construction of a modern, well-built, sanctioned network of trails in Ladysmith's backcountry.
Community Services
We were able to launch Ladysmith's first modern web map with detailed GIS layers and information available to all residents. A website audit was conducted for www.ladysmith.ca as the first step in a complete website rebuild which as been added to the financial plan.
We partnered with the Ladysmith Boys & Girls club on the construction of a beautiful new daycare facility and supported the Ladysmith Resources Centre in the construction of a 36 unit residential building offering non-market housing that was desperately needed.
In terms of public safety, we added more RCMP positions to the financial plan, increased wages and made equipment upgrades, and added a full-time position within the Fire/Rescue Department, and increased by law enforcement to a full-time position.
We implemented a rain barrel rebate program, based on a motion I brought to Committee of the Whole, to incentivize residential water storage and responsible watering.
Zoning Changes
After the adoption of the new OCP, we implemented a number of zoning changes to focus future densification around specific community zones designed as hubs for amenities and we simplified many aspects of development permit applications so that staff could issue approvals faster and support a greater diversity of housing applications. Further changes were made as we implemented Bill 44 and re-zoned significant swaths of Ladysmith to allow for Small-Scale-Multi-Unit (SSMU) residential development giving homeowners and developers more options to increase density in a way that suites their neighbourhoods.
We revised our animal bylaw, based on a motion I brought to Committee of the Whole, to allow for backyard poultry in many areas of Ladysmith.
Reconcilation
Ladysmith is located on the traditional and unceded territory of Stz'uminus First Nation and they continue to be the Town's preeminent partner and closest neighbour. The Town supported Stz'uminus's economic development in their forestry work as well as their reconciliation negotiations with the Province and renewed presence in the Ladysmith Harbour as operators of the Oyster Bay Marina. We collaborated on numerous public events and ceremonies and held two "community-to-community" dinner meetings with Stz'uminus Chief and Council.
We also recognized the importance of our relationship with Stz'uminus in symbolic ways such as permanently displaying the Stz'uminus flag at City Hall and commissioning the creation of Coast-Salish style welcome sign by Stz'uminus artist, John Marston (initiated during the previous term).
Waterfront Area Plan
Progress towards the Waterfront Area Plan was gradual but significant. Both the recreational improvements and the residential/commercial aspects of the plan hinge on receiving a Certificate of Compliance related to historic soil contaminants. This process is nearing completion.
As part of the Waterfront Area Plan, we made significant progress on the Arts and Heritage Hub; we were able to secure Provincial funds to complete renovations on the front half of the Machine Shop which is now open to the public.
Making progress on the Waterfront Area Plan is one of my top priorities should I be re-elected for the next term.
