The City of Selkirk will hold an infrastructure open house on April 7 at 6pm via Zoom so the public can see the projects that will take place this spring, summer and fall and have an opportunity to learn more about them.
2022 sees Selkirk emerging from the pandemic with projects that will continue to renew and revitalize the downtown and enhance the walkability of our city.
Safe, accessible and vibrant downtown
The largest infrastructure project this year by far is the $7.2 million reconstruction of seven blocks of Eveline Street in the downtown area. This might just be Selkirk’s largest road construction project ever.
Mayor Larry Johannson said work on the iconic street was called for under the city’s Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP).
“Our CAMP team flagged Eveline as being in poor shape and requiring a full reconstruction,” Johannson said.
“We’re not just putting down some asphalt, we’re bringing the street up to modern standards and making it safer for vehicles, for people to walk or ride bikes and we’re making it accessible for anyone with mobility issues. These seven blocks of Eveline are in our downtown and we’re investing in our downtown in a big way.”
The work will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, make the street more accessible and connect it to active transportation pathways and sidewalks that allow for walkers and riders to go from the blue bridge, into Selkirk Park and all the way to shopping on West Manitoba Avenue.
The rebuild will include roads, sidewalks and boulevards being redone all at once, from Eaton Avenue to the entrance to Selkirk Park.
Dan McDermid, Director of Operations, said the project aligns with Selkirk’s Downtown Renewal Strategy that aims to transform the downtown area into a place where people want to be. He said the reconstruction will make Eveline safer and more desirable for pedestrians, cyclists, people using mobility aids, and motorists.
“Active transportation is very important and these improvements will link Eveline to Manitoba Avenue making it safe and easy for people to walk, wheel or bike from the west end of Manitoba right to Eveline and then north to Selkirk Park,” McDermid said.
Selkirk’s Strategic Plan calls for the city to enhance the qualities that make Selkirk a special place by revitalizing downtown.
The city is looking at options for a north/south active transportation pathway.
Putting our AT Strategy into action
Last fall, council approved its first Active Transportation (AT) Strategy that will assist in the design and management of the AT infrastructure network and help in achieving low carbon economy goals, all the while creating safe and vibrant neighbourhoods that meet the current and future needs of the city’s citizens.
The north/south pathway is in early design stages and may take the form of a walking path or bike lane.
Walking or riding a bike into Selkirk Park will be safer with the installation of a multi-use pathway that will run from the entrance of the park to the campground. Currently, walkers and cyclists must share the roadway with motorists. The asphalt pathway will cost $140,000.
The Woodlands Pond will see an upgrade this year with the addition of two fountains and several aerators. McDermid said the city met with residents who expressed concerns about the pond following two summers that were hot and dry. The $70,000 upgrades will improve water quality. Also taking place in 2022 is a partnership between the City and Native Plant Solutions to guide the long-range planning and work towards a solution for the two Creekside ponds that have experienced water quality and functionality issues in recent years.
Anyone wishing to attend the open house is asked to register ahead of time at www.MySelkirk.ca/Infrastructure or by calling CitizenSupport at 204-785-4900.
