On the heels of a successful and busy 2024, Mayor Kevin Ferguson is looking ahead to even bigger and better things for Ponoka as 2025 unfolds.
For starters, he noted how important it is to be holding more events in downtown, not only for the economic benefit but to help better connect citizens as well.
The popular Fall Fest is an example of that, as is the annual Santa Claus parade and the CPKC Holiday Train seasonal stop as well.
“We've had a long-standing intent to look at our downtown and to modernize the look of it as much as possible.
“You get people to come down for an event, and then the shopping happens afterwards. Any business can come down and partake in that as well.”
Along with the Santa Claus Parade and other festivities during the holiday season, there was also a drone light show instead of fireworks.
“The response was very positive to that. So once again, there is an intent to drive things downtown, and to drive them in a way where we are encouraging more business by making it an 'event' to go to.
“It's very intentional for us, and we also have a Downtown Action Plan we have been working on over the past five or six years. So this is also kind of the philosophy that drives that.”
Other highlights looking back include the opening of the off-leash dog park, which Ferguson noted has been a big success as well. He said more and more dog owners are checking out dog parks beyond their own communities, so it's also an essential piece for bringing more people into the community.
Ferguson also pointed to Lions Centennial Park — particularly during the holidays — as the area is lit up with more than 400,000 lights.
“We also have a skating trail, so you can skate through the lights," he said.
“It's a huge attraction for this town, and it's also a real point of civic pride for us.”
On another front and in the name of bolstering community spirit, Ferguson referred to the launch of the Positive Ticketing Program last year.
“Basically what it does is it rewards citizens who demonstrate good safety habits, or who 'get caught' doing good things,” he explained, adding there is a focus on youth, but ultimately it is for everybody.
The goal is to encourage positive interactions and continue to develop positive relationships between local citizens, the town's community peace officer, and the community as a whole, said Ferguson.
“It's also part of our focus to educate, and to help create a safer community.”
Local businesses can take part by donating gift cards, so if you get a ticket, you also receive a voucher or a gift card for a local business as well.
Ferguson also emphasized the Downtown Facade Improvement Program which helps promote redevelopment and upgrades to commercial buildings downtown.
“Along with making our downtown a destination, we are also looking for businesses that want to improve their facades,” he said.
“The program aims to help attract more visitors and business activity to the downtown core, and to promote economic growth in our community."
In 2024, there were 15 applications, and 14 of those have been completed to date. The program provides municipal grants to owners of buildings for up to 50 per cent of eligible building improvement costs — up to a maximum of $5,000 per project.
On the municipal awards front last year, Ponoka's waste transfer station landed the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) 2024 Collection Site Award of Excellence.
“We are awfully proud of that,” said Ferguson, adding the award recognized the management of electronics, paint, tire, and/or used oil materials collection sites, the meeting of all program requirements, and the practice of making recycling convenient and safe for residents.
“What we have there is light years away from what it was 30 or 40 years ago.”
Ferguson also wanted to point out that the New Business Grant Program was also renewed for 2025.
The grant offers a one-time-per-business grant payment of up to $1,000 for businesses new to Ponoka in 2025, and who reside and operate in the town.
Residents who build or buy a newly-built home can qualify for the town's Residential New Build Incentive.
In 2024, 60 new residents applied for the New Resident Incentive (a free, one-year family pass to the Aquaplex and the arena complex) and 16 new Ponoka businesses applied for the New Business Grant.
On the maintenance side, Ferguson mentioned the extensive upgrades to pavement and concrete improvement around town.
“Along with that, we've been in negotiations with Alberta Transportation. They've been very positive … and we are hopeful that we are going to be able to, in the near future, begin improvements on Highway 53 that runs through town east and west. It also runs past our Stampede grounds and our arena, so that is also an economic corridor for this town."
Upgrades at the Ponoka Aquaplex have been ongoing over the past five years. Improvements include a completely resurfaced and refinished pool deck with a durable new thermoplastic coating that will be slip resistant and more comfortable to walk on.
The deck will also be re-sloped for optimal drainage and the new surface coating will refresh and brighten the interior look of the building;
There is also a refurbished and resurfaced hot tub, complete resurfacing and refurbishing of the wading pool, a new rooftop HVAC unit, upgrades to the multipurpose room, and the renovation of the bathrooms located beside the multipurpose room.
“If you haven't been there in the past five years, you will be shocked.”
Also looking ahead, a skate park expansion is planned for this year as well.
“We are planning to have our grand opening sometime this spring,” he said.
“We have also entered an agreement with the PARCS (Ponoka Arts, Recreation and Culture Society) for a new disc golf course.
“Thanks to a generous donation of $15,000 from PARCS, construction on the 18-hole disc golf course at Riverside Rotary Park on 46th St. and 38th Ave. is set to begin in the spring.
"This new recreational amenity will welcome all ages and skill levels, and we anticipate it will also attract visitors to Ponoka.”
Further down the road in 2025 is a municipal election slated for Oct. 20.
Ferguson noted that those interested in tossing their hats into the ring have have until Sept. 22 to submit their notice of intent to run for town council.
He added that he is certainly leaning towards running again and will officially announce his intentions in March.
“It has been so eye-opening, a great learning experience, and very rewarding. When you do something good, and are contributing to your community and see how it matters to people and how it's affecting them in a positive way … your heart just fills with pride over that.”
Ferguson also wanted to pay tribute to town councillor Ted Dillon, who passed away on March 9, 2024.
“We've kept his seat vacant in his honour,” said Ferguson.
“He was a very good friend of mine. I would also say that Ted was a very good friend of Ponoka. I knew Ted Dillon before I ever met Ted Dillon — that's how his star shone throughout the community.
"We lost a great contributor to Ponoka,” he said, adding Dillon also worked for 26 years as a fire chief, director of community services, and the director of protective services.
“I miss Ted every day. I cannot tell you how much he meant to me, and to this community.”