Mayor Greg Wilson/CKDR Files
It was a busy 2020 for the City of Dryden with several projects already on the go for the 2021 fiscal year.
Mayor Greg Wilson was the latest guest at the Rotary Club of Dryden’s virtual meeting Wednesday to talk about some of the highlights from last year and goals going forward.
“The Duke Street Overpass upgrades (pedestrian sidewalk) and Dryden Fire Service’s new pumper truck (were big projects). Some smaller items to mention we got new shelving at the library, new columbarium at the cemetery, we had new breathing apparatus purchased for the firefighters, Swanson Creek watermain replacement, Second Street sewer main replacement and Myrtle Avenue paving.”
Other highlights included the 1.2 million dollars in funding upgrades to Van Horne Avenue Road Project from Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure Program, Rural and Northern Stream, council endorsed forming the Working Circle to strengthen the Indigenous voices in Dryden and the City, in partnership with the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB), opened the Recreation Complex to host Red Lake forest fire evacuees for one week.
As for property taxes, the average household in the City of Dryden contributed $2,436 in 2020.
Wilson explains where your property tax dollars go.
“The City reinvests property tax dollars back into the community, so number one would be $660 for community services and I call that people services. It’s not just social services but it’s also the sports, culture, recreation and that sort of thing and it’s like a defensive and offensive effort by the municipality to protect citizens well being. The health care side and prevention side, but also positive things that we can do for people.”
The other top two categories where your property taxes go, $620 for city police and $519 towards infrastructure and engineering.
Property Taxes/City of Dryden Rotary Screenshot
Looking ahead, this year marks the start of a three year plan for major upgrades at the Dryden Recreation Center and Memorial Arena.
Wilson explains they applied for funding from the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream in 2020 and secured 3.6 million dollars earlier this year.
“So this year the new roofing membrane above the pool area and a new dehumidifier and a cascade boiler package that will eliminate the five single purpose boilers currently heating the pool in the fitness center. This is the start of a lot of old equipment that is needed to be replaced.
Some other highlights so far this year, the City has renamed Colonization Avenue, continues to develop the Community Safety and Well Being Plan with the Municipality of Machin and undergo the Ontario Provincial Police costing analysis.
The full City of Dryden 2020 Annual Report can be read here.
