NIPAWIN — An open house held by the Town of Nipawin gave residents an chance to learn about what’s going on in their town – and participate in a plan to improve downtown.
“It’s an opportunity to get the people in our town to be more involved in the governance of our town, to come and have a say, to come and ask questions, to come and give input,” said Rennie Harper, Nipawin’s mayor, about the May 9 event.
Among the people and organizations at the open house was Prairie Wild Consulting, which is working with the town to develop a Main Street revitalization plan. They were at the open house to gather information from the public.
“We’re hoping to get an understanding about what do people like about their downtown,” said Samantha Mark, Prairie Wild’s senior community and regional planner, “like what are some of the things they want to see stay, what are maybe some areas of improvement, what types of design elements would they like to incorporate – from lighting to preserving different historic and heritage elements to trees and planting and signage.”
Harper said Prairie Wild’s visit was something that was started by the former Business Improvement District, with costs shared between them and the town. The mayor said the consultant has been working for six months on the project.
Mark said they were just getting into the engagement process. There are also plans for focus groups and a design charrette. They’ll meet with all of council and are planning to meet with the business community later in May. Then they’ll work on a draft plan in July.
“It will be a five-year implementation plan,” she said, “and there will be some design guidelines included in that as well.”
Harper said she was excited to read the plan when it’s ready.
Prairie Wild was also involved with the Main Street projects in Indian Head and Woolsey, when they were two of the four pilot communities for the provincial Main Street program. They’re also working with Waterous now for their Main Street project.
Mark said community input will be needed to make the plan a success.
“Local wisdom and experience is something that drives all of our processes and we try to give different ways people can provide some input.”
Those wanting to get involved can contact Prairie Wild at 306-653-2385 or Jayne Remenda with the Town of Nipawin.
The open house also featured information about the town’s strategic plan, budget, parks and recreation, economic development office and protective services.
“We’ve also invited some of our partners because it gives us the chance to show off some of the things they do that we don’t do, for example the Chamber of Commerce,” Harper said.
Other partners included the Twin Lakes Planning Commission, the Boreal Area Regional Waste Authority and the Nipawin Public Library, which also serves as a job search centre in the town.
