2024 was filled with many notable projects in the Town of Smithers according to Mayor Gladys Atrill.
On the list was the Mountain View project, water treatment work for Watson’s Landing and the Smithers Airport, riverbank erosion work along Rosenthal Road and started on the airport, and securing the Resource Benefit Alliance.
“Something that we hear about a lot has been quality of roads and sidewalks and we did invest in roads last year with $1 million in paving, the biggest paving project we’ve done,” said Atrill.
The Mountainview Drive project saw the road from Columbia Drive to Walnut Park Elementary be repaved and the sidewalk upgraded, which finished construction at the end of October.
“I think it’s safe to say it feels like it’s never enough. $1 million doesn’t go as far as it used to, but it’s still a lot of money for a community our size,” she said.
Soon afterwards, the Princess Street upgrade was approved by council which may be completed in the new year.
“Hopefully we’ll get it done this year and if not, we’re used to continuing to work on things,” the mayor said.
2024 also saw the town enter the Resource Benefits Alliance along with several other communities and regional districts across northern BC.
“$250 million for the region over five years is something. An additional $4.1 million in our budget is significant so this is very exciting and kudos to all the people who have worked on that for a long time,” Atrill said.
The funding will be included in the 2025 town budget.
On of the mayor’s focuses for the new year is continuing to find a solution to help the unhoused and safety issues.
“We’re in year four of a tent encampment. It’s completely unacceptable but there’s not been a way for us to deal with that,” said Atrill.
Her hope was a shelter would be ready to go for this winter with the support of BC Housing which she said didn’t work out.
“We are still in the long process of getting additional supportive housing but that’s not happening right now,” the mayor said.
She is also looking forward to what opportunities will come in 2025 when the budget is released, and the projects that will be completed.
Something going on in the Bulkley Valley Lakes District you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
