Following our opening installment with Mayor Michael Behiel, looking back on the year that was for the City of Humboldt, the Mayor turned his attention to cost and resource savings brought by irrigation system completions. 

“This year we also completed the Centennial Park irrigation system which is hoping to use grey waters to bring in a cycle where we're not having to purchase water for these systems. It's environmentally friendly and much more cost-effective. In Glen Hall Park, we went from using portable water to recycling from the golf course stormwater systems.”

Plans continue to develop the North Hospital Green Space as a public park area, as well as the Centennial Park public washroom and canteen facility. Working with the Humboldt Ball Development Board, the City has drafted some revisions to make the facility a realistic possibility within the coming year. As well, final lighting additions and landscaping will happen at Centennial Park, along with completion of the multi-court surface and outdoor rink space.  

In 2023, subject to the pressures of inflation, the City intends to continue with water main replacements at key locations. It’s also investing in technology to better assist rapid identification of problems in the water delivery system. 

“We’re looking at an automatic leak monitoring system which attaches to certain parts of the water mains. It will monitor for a sudden spike in water usage that gives us the ability to find leaks faster and prevent the water loss that we’ve been seeing.”

At the same time, road work is ongoing, with this year’s focus on level crossings at train tracks. 2023 will also see work begin on the water detention pond in Carl Schenn Park. The floods that happen near Barnes Crescent have plagued homeowners and the City for years. The hope is to create a drainage solution that will allow storm water to gather in the park's detention pond, as opposed to streets and alleys, for eventual evacuation. This may require work on resurfacing some areas to ensure drainage toward the pond is effective. 

A major project for the coming year is the waste water project, a multi-million dollar venture, partially supported by an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant. 

“That is another major project where we were able to capitalize hugely on grants. Thirty percent of the actual cost is what we had to kick out; we were able to secure grants for 70 percent of the cost. When you’re dealing with $40-50 million, that’s a significant savings to our taxpayers.”

On behalf of City Council, administration and staff, Mayor Behiel wishes everyone a fantastic holiday season and all the best in the coming year.

“We are working hard to be diligent with tax money and hope that residents can continue to experience all that Humboldt has to offer in the coming year.”