Mayor Kevin Ferguson. (Supplied)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

MAYOR KEVIN FERGUSON

Year in review: 2024 in the Town of Ponoka

Dec 30, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Mayor Kevin Ferguson says 2024 was an “uplifting” year for the Town of Ponoka, with it finally being able to turn its sights to future-focused projects and shake off the final dredges of COVID-19.

“In a lot of ways we are still looking over our shoulders when it comes to COVID-19. Even when we look at, say, the economy, we look at issues that we seem to have brought with us through COVID, I think 2024 for me was the first time I felt… like I’m seeing the sky again,” the mayor said.

Throughout the year, there were plenty of community upgrades in the town, with efforts being made to improve recreation facilities, outdoor spaces and infrastructure.

In June this year, the town held a grand opening for its new off-leash dog park, which was completed in the fall of 2023. Located in the river valley, it sports agility training equipment, sheltered seating areas, access to Battle River, and a separate fenced area for small dogs.

“Of course, we are now in the doggy-tourism zone because we have a fantastic new park in our river valley,” commented Mayor Ferguson. “It’s a beautiful place to take your dog out and let your dog have a run and maybe even refresh yourself as well.”

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Read more: Ponoka holding grand opening for new off-leash dog park on June 5

In the downtown area, launched in January this year, the town’s Downtown Facade Improvement Program saw 14 new applicants, with 12 completing the improvements to date. The program encourages businesses to “spiff up” their frontages and do necessary repairs in an effort to make the downtown more of a destination, Ferguson explained.

Youth roaming around downtown or in any other part of Ponoka may have had more interactions with police this year, but for a good reason.

In the summer, the town’s Community Peace Officer (CPO) started practicing a positive ticketing practice focused on youth in the community. When youth are seen demonstrating safe behaviour like wearing a helmet or using proper hand signals, the CPO stops to let them know they’re doing good, with some businesses donating gifts or vouchers to be used as a reward.

Read more: Ponoka’s positive ticketing rewards youth for safe behaviours

Ferguson was also excited to share the upgrades made to the town’s racquetball courts, including new floors, lighting, and entry carpets, and the addition of pickleball lines to the court.

“The improvements are really to support pickleball, racquetball, squash and wallyball in our community,” he said. “These sports have really grown a lot and they are well attended, and we were happy to make sure these facilities are up to par for them.”

Local disc golfers also had a reason to celebrate this year, as the Ponoka Arts, Recreation and Culture Society (PARCS) donated $15,000 to the construction of a new 18-hole course, with construction set to begin in spring 2025.

Read more: New disc golf course coming to Ponoka thanks to PARCS donation

Skaters should also be able to enjoy an expanded and upgraded Hamilton Skate Park, which Ferguson expects will be completed in the spring.

Read more: Construction begins for expanded multi-use skate park in Ponoka

On the less sexy side of things, as Ferguson said, the town has also been working to expand its asset management program to include inspections of its storm water and sewer systems.

“It’s not the most exciting thing to talk about, however, you want to make sure you’re looking after that stuff because if it isn’t working then you are talking about it,” he said.

That’s a conversation many municipalities seem to be having this year after a water main burst in Calgary, causing water shortages and significant infrastructure costs.

Read more: Calgary pipe woes flag ‘dire need’ for infrastructure upgrades: municipalities group

Some of this infrastructure work will continue in 2025, as Ferguson said the town is discussing the possibility of upgrading Highway 53 with the province.

“The talks that we are having are quite positive and we are very, very hopeful that we will be able to, in the new year, change the look of that highway,” said Ferguson.

Whether that project gets finalized under him is yet to be seen however, as he hasn’t decided if he will be running as a mayoral candidate in the 2025 election.

“For me, being mayor is like a cool puzzle that you’re working on all the time. I most definitely still have a desire and a fire in my belly to do this job, but it’s still very much a family decision and my family and I, although we’ve talked about it a little bit, we haven’t sat down and had that entire conversation,” he explained.

Ferguson intends to reflect with his family over the holidays and will likely announce his intention to run, or not, in January or February.