Table of Contents
A plan for a better Wetaskiwin
The Wetaskiwin Tomorrow Plan is proposed to be the long-term vision for the community — creating a healthy, sustainable city that is adaptable and ready for the future.
By using existing city plans, historical data and ongoing public input, the Wetaskiwin Tomorrow Citizens Advisory Group has been able to outline a series of draft short- and long-term goals for the city that will become the Wetaskiwin Tomorrow Plan.
We need to hear from you
To be successful the entire community must contribute to the plan. Groups, associations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to read the plan and identify areas and specific goals they can get involved and help make a difference.
On this website, you will be able to read the proposed goals and the steps we think need to be taken to reach them. More importantly, you are able to comment on each goal, step and question listed in the Wetaskiwin Tomorrow Plan.
How to comment
To comment, simply select a goal (listed on the left hand side of the page). You will see a series of questions and proposed steps with speech balloons to the right of each. To comment on a specific point, simply click on the speech balloon and write your comment in the box. You can provide your name or write anonymously.
As with all feedback, please be specific and respectful of other commenters. If you have any questions, concerns or need help using this online tool. Please contact Lucas Warren at 780-361-4416 or by email at speakup@wetaskiwintomorrow.ca.
The Survey
You may have seen our Wetaskiwin Tomorrow Survey around town or been handed a copy by one of our handsome volunteers. We also have an online version of this survey that you can take here. We’ll be posting all the results and comments here for you to read and comment on.
Do you agree that we need to promote a clean, professional and welcoming environment in Wetaskiwin? How can we make this goal better? > Create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere within City Hall > Standardize and improve the image of Wetaskiwin What else can we do to get City Hall to promote a clean, professional and welcoming environment? Who should be involved in reaching this goal?
Do you agree that City Hall needs to communicate in a timely, clear and meaningful way? How do we reach this goal? > Develop and implement an external communications strategy > Review, commit and monitor a city-wide brand > Develop clear messaging regarding what services the City of Wetaskiwin provides > Ensure that City events and happenings are well publicized > Provide and identify opportunities for community organizations to communicate with each other > Identify a [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to promote an inclusive and visible city council? How can we make this goal better? > Encourage more public debate on key city issues > Record and/or broadcast public City Council meetings > Promote more informal opportunities to meet with key city officials and council > Investigate ways to encourage more diversity of council members What else can we do to promote an inclusive and visible city council? Who should be involved in reaching [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to ensure and enforce consistent standards for development and bylaw enforcement? How can we make this goal better? > Ensure and enforce consistent standards for development > Ensure and enforce consistent standards for bylaw enforcement > Review and update all current bylaws What else can we do to ensure and enforce consistent standards for development and bylaw enforcement? Who should be involved in reaching this goal?
Do you agree that City Hall needs to evelop priorities with the community and work towards them in a public manner? How can we make this goal better? > Develop a clear vision for the City of Wetaskiwin > Help the community become involved in the development and maintenance of vision > Connect vision to current and future job descriptions and deliverables for City Hall employees and managers > Create, or designate an existing group, to oversee each of the pillars of sustainabilit [...]
Do you agree that citizens and businesses need to be more engaged in the community? How can we make this goal better? > Residents and businesses understand how they can contribute towards the City’s vision and initiatives > Make it is easier for people to contribute / get involved > Identify and engage external organizations in the community and economic development > Request volunteers from community organizations for specific initiatives > Recruit and mentor youth for [...]
Do you agree we need to enable businesses and residents to be ambassadors for Wetaskiwin? How can we make this goal better? > Enlist leaders throughout the community to champion and monitor community vision and projects > Increase residents’ desire and capacity to promote their neighbourhood and community > Create a program that recognizes local ambassadors and leaders What else can we do to ensure that citizens and businesses are ambassadors for Wetaskiwin? Who else can b [...]
Do you agree we need to create a safer community that does not tolerate crime? How can we make this goal better? > Support the development of programs like Citizens on Patrol and other neighbourhood watch initiatives > More visible policing > Review curfew bylaw and consider alternatives (eg. increased education) > Develop a vagrancy reduction strategy > Work with federal and provincial authorities to help strengthen local law enforcement > Educate citizens on how to [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to be a more welcoming and inclusive community? How can we make this goal better? > Develop a diversity and inclusion framework for the City > Become a member of Alberta’s Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) Initiative > Develop and implement a positive marketing and education campaign around tolerance and respect > Regularly offer sessions for all City Council, managers and staff on getting to know our neighbours better > Regular [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to develop and maintain a positive relationship with our neighbours? How can we make this goal better? > Develop a diversity and inclusion framework for the City > Reach an agreement between community leaders to work together > Create a national and international friendship centre (see Welcoming and Inclusive) > Celebrate Wetaskiwin’s Native Heritage/Connection > Encourage co-operation between the City and the County in providing for t [...]
Do you agree that we need to reduce Wetaskiwin’s environmental footprint? Can can we make this goal better? > Provide efficient and effective recycling programs > Provide efficient, effective and environmentally responsible refuse collection and disposal services > Reduce or eliminate the use of plastic bags and water bottle within Wetaskiwin > Encourage residential water conservation by offering city rain barrels at a reduced rate > Regular education sessions on how t [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to diversify and strengthen its economy? How can we make this goal better? > Develop and reclaim vacant buildings and spaces throughout the city for commercial, residential, and industrial use > Encourage more compact development by offering a wider variety of uses within areas > Rejuvenate Wetaskiwin’s downtown core > Enhance the visual appearance of the Downtown Core > Repurpose vacant downtown stores with incubator stores that will a [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to encourage sustainable and progressive development? How can we make this goal better? > Provide for the development of well planned business/industrial parks > Encourage the infill and redevelopment of vacant or under utilized commercial or industrial properties > Work with business groups interested in physical improvements to their area that will improve appearance and overall efficiency of the area > Accommodate residential development i [...]
Do you agree that we need to keep land development costs affordable in Wetaskiwin? How can we make this goal better? > Annually review, the City’s standards and practices with regard to neighborhood design and residential servicing in co-operation with the land development industry > City staff keep up to date with new products and processes in the land development industry > Thoroughly review all proposed amendments to design standards What else can we do to keep land developm [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to encourage and support alternative transportation? How can we make this goal better? > Develop a free bike-sharing program to encourage alternative transportation during the summer > Undertake feasibility studies on commuter/public trains and buses > Expand and develop existing trails > Develop a transportation/development plan that: a. promotes a bike/pedestrian friendly downtown, b. gives developer incentive to consider [...]
Do you agree that we need to create a cleaner Wetaskiwin? How can we make this goal better? > Develop an annual program where residents and businesses work to clean the entire city > Place more garbage cans and recycling containers around city paths > Develop and implement a City policy to immediately paint over graffiti > Turn vacant lots into green spaces > Formally recognize businesses and citizens for outstanding community participation and involvement > Educate a [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to support the development of and participation in more community events and city-wide festivals? How can we make this goal better? > Develop an events coordinator position to better promote events throughout the community > Create and maintain a community events calendar available to the entire community > Work closer with new and existing groups (eg. Chamber of Commerce) to develop new and improve existing festivals and events > Wider di [...]
Do you agree that we need to increase opportunities for artistic expression in Wetaskiwin? How can we make this goal better? > More public art in public areas > Construct a downtown conference facility and gallery space What else can we do to increase opportunities for artistic expression? Who should be involved in reaching this goal?
Do you agree that we need to create and improve existing opportunities for leisure, recreation, sport and other activities in Wetaskiwin? How can we make this goal better? > Construct a new multi-use recreation facility (eg. swimming, field house, indoor walking trails, etc) > Expand access to public facilities > Facilitate the development of parks and recreational services that are responsive to the needs of the community > Increase awareness of and coordinate facility use [...]
Do you agree that we need to increase our community pride and sense of heritage? How can we make this goal better? > Have City Hall lead by example > Develop stronger or more effective bylaws for the protection and maintenance of historical buildings > Promote and expand the mandate of the City Archives > Support the development of neighbourhood associations > Celebrate Wetaskiwin’s unique cultural connections > Continue to participate in programs such as Communiti [...]
Do you agree that we need to increase tourism into Wetaskiwin? How can we make it better? > Continue and expand participation in groups that promote regional tourism (eg. Sweet 16) > Develop a tourism and marketing strategy > Promote community and regional assets > Create a tourism guide for the City of Wetaskiwin > Establish a tourism marketing initiative/consortium with assistance from Travel Alberta and the local Chamber of Commerce > Provide training for awarenes [...]
Do you agree that Wetaskiwin needs to develop existing and create new educational opportunities for all citizens? How can we make it better? > Expand existing and develop new post-secondary programs for youth > Expand existing and develop new training and educational programs for the un- and under-employed > Expand existing and develop new life-long learning courses for adults and seniors > Expand existing and develop new educational and work opportunities to retain/attract [...]
Do you agree that we need ensure Wetaskiwin always has access to clean water? How can we make this goal better? > Encourage residential water conservation by offering city rain barrels at a reduced rate > Provide incentives to reduce household energy and/or water consumption (eg. rebates) What else can we do to ensure that Wetaskiwin always has access to clean water? Who should be involved in helping to reach this goal?
Session 1 -- January 20, 2010 Session 2 -- February 5, 2010 (AM) Session 3 -- February 5, 2010 (PM) Session 4 -- February 19, 2010