The City of Sault Ste. Marie has approved more than $50 million worth of capital works projects.

Council met on May 11 to approve works on projects, including reconstruction and resurfacing works on 2nd Avenue, 6th Avenue and Northern Avenue, upgrades to the West End Wastewater Treatment Plant, and repairs to the Farwell Terrace Aqueduct. Most of those contracts are either out for tender or have already been awarded. The city has several other projects that are working their way through the final design and costing stages, including the Twin Pad Arena project, Third Line reconstruction and storm sewer improvements along McDonald Avenue.

Some in the city have suggested that now is not the time to make investments in capital works, given the extent to which the city’s budget has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In his report to city council, chief administrative officer Malcolm White argued in favour of getting these works projects underway as soon as possible.

“We face a considerable challenge in maintaining our linear infrastructure to acceptable levels and, like other municipal jurisdictions, face a significant backlog of projects in this respect. To defer our 2020 projects in this area would only increase this challenge,” he wrote.

“Completion of capital projects ensures meaningful activity for an important segment of our local economy at a time when private sector development and investment may be curtailed.”

White also stressed the need for the city to move quickly to bring projects such as the Twin Pad Arena to the point at which they are shovel-ready. Doing so will position the city to take advantage of any stimulus packages being issued by the federal and provincial governments.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has identified work on this project as a priority. A new twin-pad ice rink would be built to replace the aging McMeeken Centre. The replacement project is budgeted at about $25 million. The city applied for funding for the works through the Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program – Community, Culture & Recreation Stream in November.