Business View Magazine | March 2020

382 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MARCH 2020 Smith: “Over the past few years, there was a significant amount of residential growth, but, more recently, it’s been an increase in the commercial percentage compared to the residential. What we’re seeing is the growth of a community, population-wise, and now the amenities and the commercial businesses being established are able to sustain themselves within our population. So, yes, at one time we were a bedroom community but we’re growing to where we have our own identity.” BVM: Are there any major infrastructure projects planned; any green or sustainable initiatives? Smith: “We’re always planning for new infrastructure; that comes with the growth. We have an existing award-winning, multi- function recreation facility – Legends Centre – that houses two 95-sq.-ft. x 110-sq.- ft., multi- purpose gyms, a 1,140-seat hockey arena, a school, a library, and a theater. And we’re looking at adding another arena and more amenities which will be attached to that complex. We also have a separate Diamond Rodeo Arena. The other infrastructure we’ll be addressing is just to accommodate the growth we’re experiencing. “As a Partner for Climate Protection, we have established five milestones that we want to meet. Part of that will be add-ons to our existing infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gases. That’s a mandate we’ll be working on over the next five to ten years. It’s extremely costly but we feel it’s important; as it was important with the wastewater upgrades Brad mentioned. That is also a green initiative. We want to make sure the environment is protected, which is why we’re putting infrastructure in place to produce a better quality of water to release to the environment. All those things are important to sustainability from a green perspective.” Toth: “In addition to that, Council recently passed an Environmental Master Plan with a lot of ‘green’ goals inside that plan. With the offset goals, the city is looking at retrofitting