By Sheldon Spackman

‘Reimagine Sylvan’ aims to redevelop town’s waterfront

Feb 18, 2018 | 10:33 AM

The Town of Sylvan Lake is embarking on one of the most exciting projects in its history with the launch of ‘Reimagine Sylvan’. It’s an initiative that will review, reimagine and ultimately redevelop the community’s waterfront and was launched from the town’s lake front during Winterfest activities on Saturday.

Town officials describe it as a new Sustainable Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan (SWARP) that will provide updates and enhancements to the current plan through an extensive community design process. A long-range plan that also aims to enhance existing neighbourhoods while at the same time, develop policies for the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized spaces along the waterfront.

Kim Devlin, Senior Planner, Sylvan Lake Planning and Development, says the current plan is ten years old and needs updating.

“We’re looking to get some new ideas on how we can improve some development and stimulate our economy in the downtown, new business ideas and year-round tourism” says Devlin. “As well as the newly acquired lands, the provincial park, as well as the waterfront park. We’re looking for design ideas and what could be as part of our reimagine process.”

Devlin says they’re also hoping to spark a turnaround for the downtown through the Reimagine Sylvan Lake process.

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“We have a lot of vacancies,” explains Devlin. “We’re hoping to get new businesses in the downtown, see some new development, mixed-use potentially, residential, get more activity happening within our core and see better activities for tourists and residents alike.”

The launch of Reimagine Sylvan means residents are invited to provide feedback and ideas on what they love about the lake front, what they feel can be improved and how it can be redesigned for a more sustainable future. There will be a variety of opportunities for citizens to get involved in the process over the coming weeks and months, including a ten minute online survey which is available now.

In addition, Sylvan Lakers can watch for the SWARP Team at community events during the months of February, March and April, with a Community Design Workshop slated for May 10- 12 where you can also help craft the future of Sylvan Lake’s waterfront through a series of design exercises.

That will be followed up with a Public Open House June 14 where town officials say they will test and refine the preferred concept with economists, transportation engineers, municipal engineers and environmental specialists to make sure that it’s feasible. After the concept is refined and vetted by the aforementioned groups, town officials say they will present the concept to the public for a final round of feedback.

Senior Planner Kim Devlin says a finalized plan is hoped to be finished by the fall of this year.

For more information on Reimagine Sylvan, visit the town’s website at www.sylvanlake.ca.

by Sheldon Spackman

‘Reimagine Sylvan’ aims to redevelop town’s waterfront

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