A draft version of the Downtown Revitalization Plan was revealed to the public in March 2023. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

10-year plan

Council axes major 2024 spending on downtown revitalization

Jul 25, 2024 | 4:34 PM

La Ronge council is backtracking on its original plan to spend $2.5 million on downtown revitalization in 2024.

That’s according to an emailed statement to larongeNOW from chief administrative officer Lyle Hannan. He wrote that earlier this year, the town’s 10-year plan was revised to reflect specific projects and a lesser amount.

“In the current plan, we have $300,000 (in 2024) earmarked for streetscape design, which would provide detailed drawings for the implementation of works as funds allow (in the future – no visual change will occur now),” the email noted.

“There is also $10,000 in the 2024 budget to develop a concept design and budget for specific Patterson Park improvements. That will be finished later this fall and will likely have some public consultation so that the newly elected council can provide guidance on anything that might be desired.”

In addition, $50,000 will go towards downtown revitalization grants to private owners up to $5,000 in matching funds for projects that renovates, builds or cleans up storefronts and outdoor spaces. There have been a couple applications so far and applications are still being accepted.

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Council also implemented a tax incentive program on new developments and major renovations in commercial districts. The length and value of the tax abatement increases with the value of the commercial development, or in the case of residential developments, the net increase in dwelling units created.

“The original amount was a placeholder because the town knew it wanted to do something in this area, and that it would not likely exceed $2.5 million,” Hannan added.

“The exact, revised amounts and initiatives are based on some of the results/recommendations of the Downtown Revitalization Plan (DRP) that council decided to tackle in the first stage of revitalization efforts. Some of those initiatives required less funding, some became operating budget expenses, and some of the initiatives were tax incentives.”

The DRP, which costed taxpayers $61,000 to develop, called for a number of changes along La Ronge Avenue including wider public walkways, improved lighting, street trees and other plants, locally designed and produced street furnishings, wayfinding signage and public art, pedestrian crossing, narrowed driving lanes and on-street parking.

Other ideas are a waterfront multi-use pathway with connections to Tremblay and McKenzie Streets, a waterfront project like a cultural or community centre, and a highway gateway enhancement with an entry sign, abundant lighting, and trees and vegetation.

In regards to Patterson Park, the La Ronge Parks and Trails Master Plan was developed in 2022 for approximately $49,000. It includes a number of key findings, as well as strategies and actions leadership can take to be proactive when developing parks and trails within the municipality. It also contains findings from a survey completed by local residents.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com