Another open house is schedule for Friday at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

municipality

La Ronge capital budget calls for millions in spending

Nov 20, 2024 | 5:23 PM

The Town of La Ronge’s capital budget for 2025 is calling for major investments in residential and commercial lot developments.

The details were unveiled Wednesday during an open house held at the town office.

Documents available for viewing showed $4.1 million is earmarked for commercial land development servicing, $1.5 million for Phase 2 of the Robertson Drive residential development, and another $1.5 million for residential lot development along Studer Street.

La Ronge mayor Joe Hordyski noted, however, that spending is contingent on whether or not the municipality is successful in its application to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The town applied once already and was denied.

“We just sold four lots in the original [Robertson Drive] Phase 1. We are down to one lot,” he explained.

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“Phase 2 was registered at the same time. The subdivision already exists, but it doesn’t have the services to it. We’ve had preliminary estimates, and the price has almost doubled for lot development from Phase 1 to Phase 2. We are potentially looking for a developer to take it on, so the town isn’t having to take on those costs and then potentially subsidize the project.”

The capital project is also calling for $450,000 for green space along Robertson Drive, as well as an additional $100,000 for new signage downtown. The green space is part of an ongoing ParticipACTION project, which would realize an inclusive and accessible outdoor park that aims to become an animated community hub supporting the physical and mental health of community members.

In 2024, town council backtracked on its original plan to spend $2.5 million on downtown revitalization for that year. The $100,000 planned for 2025 is a fraction of what was supposed to be spent in both years.

“We want to just let the public know we haven’t forgotten about it,” Hordyski said, adding there are larger pressures on the budget than downtown beautification.

“If some of the other funding comes through like the Accelerator funding and eases some of the housing pressure, we could consider it in next year’s budget. This year, we just decided we want to do something to get the public’s eyes and confidence if we are going to keep that on the burner.”

The 2025 budget also calls for $1 million to be spent on engineering designs for a new wastewater treatment plant. The total cost of that project is expected to be approximately $17.3 million and it has been a concern of council for the last five years.

“The wastewater treatment is a big project and we are very fortunate to have the support of the Northern Water and Sewer Program where northern communities are paying 1/12 the cost of the project,” Hordyski said. “Without that, it would be almost unaffordable.”

The operating/capital budget for La Ronge is balanced with no increases to taxes or utility fees.

A second open house is scheduled for Friday at the Mel Hegland Uniplex from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the Ice Wolves game. Details provided at the open house can be reviewed online here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com