Belleville, Ontario

8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 BELLEV I LLE , ONTAR IO people who maybe haven’t known this. We’ve known that for a long time, but now outsiders are starting to see it.” The municipality isn’t wasting time when it comes to creating better infrastructure and amenities to improve quality of life for current and future residents, as well as business owners. They have made a historic deal to relocate their fairgrounds outside of the city and are starting to make headway on the $35 million project. The preparation and design work is complete and in 2022 they plan to start servicing the new property and selling parcels of light commercial and light industrial along the way. Panciuk is pleased with the progress, noting, “The redevelopment of the existing site in the city center is moving along quite well; we’ve sold both parcels of the former Ben Bleeker Avenue property.” Those sales will result in commercial space with a new grocery store and some higher density housing. What will happen to the fairgrounds property on the east and west side of Sydney Street is still up for debate, but the city is going ahead with a brand new YMCA and outdoor recreational facility in 2022. The municipality is also doubling down on infrastructure improvements with $44 million going toward new roads, resurfacing roads, and reconstructing roads. Panciuk says they are also investing $26 million into outdoor recreation, making the community a priority by updating and improving their parks, playgrounds and a new agricultural society building. The city is also expanding the Bay Shore trail system by about three kilometers, from Herchimer Ave. to Haig Rd. The extension will be named after former Mayor Shirley Langer in honor of her environmental approach to running the community in the early 1990s. They’ve also developed an outdoor cross-country skiing and snow shoeing trail, and throughout 2022 will invest in pickle ball courts,