Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19 and Alessia Proietti

so much to offer

Year-in-review: Ponoka mayor believes town is ‘where it’s at’

Dec 31, 2023 | 12:00 PM

Ponoka’s mayor, Kevin Ferguson, says if visiting the town isn’t on your bucket list, something’s wrong.

He also says 2023 saw Ponoka do some big things.

What stands out for Ferguson includes the opening of a sparkly new off-leash dog park, which has access to Battle River and connects to the ‘tranquil’ trail system.

The park is now unofficially part of a ‘doggie tourism’ trend drawing people to various communities with stand-out dog parks, he says.

There was also the redevelopment of 51 Avenue, which is part of the Town’s goal to redefine and renew its downtown over the coming years. The upgraded stretch of road hosted a successful Fall Fest in September.

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Over at the aquaplex, a new HVAC system was installed, as well as a new hot tub and water slide.

And the Town continues to offer residential and business incentives. Among other benefits, people who move to Ponoka are eligible for a free one-year recreation pass.

But there were some challenges, he admits.

“Rural towns in Alberta, especially central Alberta, have had challenges on the health care front. We’ve had challenges with ambulance service, with acquiring and retaining medical staff such as doctors and nurses, as have so many other communities about our size and within our area,” he says.

“One of the ways we have gone about meeting these challenges, and I’m very, very proud of this, is that my mayor colleagues and I, in the summer, we put together a coalition where we went and met with the Health Minister and laid our concerns before them. Obviously, we are still working towards getting solutions, but we do feel that the provincial government has listened to us in that area and is working towards more definable solutions.”

Ferguson adds they’d also like to get clarity on how the province will provide infrastructure funding moving forward, and how the Town can take advantage of that.

The Town has other things on the go for 2024 though, including the launch of a downtown facade improvement program, and upgrades to ball diamonds and soccer pitches. He also notes strong relationships with neighbouring municipalities.

Of course, there’s the return of the ever popular Ponoka Stampede.

“I have a message to anyone out there that’s listening: from the summertime when we have our Ponoka Stampede, to all year-round with our ag events and shows that go on, to our festive Christmas lights and Centennial Park, to our dog park, Ponoka is a year-round place to be and I would say to anyone out there that Ponoka is where it’s at,” says Ferguson.

“Summer or winter, if we’re not on your bucket list, we should be. I think it’s a rodeo that’ll knock your socks off, but if you’re not a rodeo person, well then come in the winter because we’ve got lights here that will knock your socks off. To the world, I say you’re welcome and come on in.”

More information about Ponoka is at Ponoka.ca.

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READ MORE

• Year-in-review: Diving deep on 2023, and what’s to come in 2024, with Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston