Residents and visitors are being asked to REIMAGINE SYLVAN as Alberta’s popular beach town looks to update its waterfront area.
Kim Devlin, senior planner with the Town of Sylvan Lake, said ideas gathered through an online survey and at community events from the public will be used to review and update the town’s waterfront area redevelopment plan.
“We’re working towards revitalizing our downtown and we want to create an environment for redevelopment to occur including residential, commercial and mixed use developments. Our current plan is over 10 years old,” Devlin said on Tuesday.
“The town is also seeking public input on what they would like to see happen to newly acquired public lands. Within the last year we’ve acquired Lakefront Park, which is the former water slide site, and Sylvan Lake Provincial Park pier which has recently been turned over the town by the province.”
REIMAGINE SYLVAN kicked off during the town’s Winterfest over the Family Day long weekend. Input will continue to be sought over the next three months.
Over the weekend there was already good uptake for the online survey, she said.
She said the goal is to get the community’s participation to re-establish a community vision for the waterfront and create a sustainable waterfront redevelopment plan.
Redevelopment of underutilized spaces and more year-round activity will help create an attractive downtown for both residents and visitors, so visitors also have an opportunity to comment on what would make Sylvan Lake more appealing to them.
“Great ideas can come from anywhere so residents or visitors — we’re welcoming all participation,” Devlin said.
Public open houses will be held to gather input on the preferred plan and the project is intended to be finalized by the fall with a the long-term plan adopted by council.
Access the online survey at REIMAGINE SYLVAN
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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