It might not be part of this year’s Estevan city budget right now, but it would be a big addition to the community if it ever did proceed.
At the end of city council budget deliberations last week, it was re-affirmed that council was seeking funding from the federal government for a city-wide pathway network. (It was actually discussed for the first time in March 2020, just as everything was about to change).
This would not only benefit the existing pathways in the community, but it would allow for the construction of other pathways in Estevan that would finally connect the city.
This has long been a desire for many, although it has often been shuffled to the side amid the myriad of other needs in the community.
We’re lucky enough to have some very nice pathways in some very attractive areas of Estevan. There’s a great walk to be had through the Churchill Playpark, past the Cactus Park ball diamonds and soccer pitches, and then back through the Westview subdivision.
My favourite is the walk adjacent to Fourth Avenue South to Woodlawn Regional Park, although it would be nice if that pathway was extended all the way to Perkins Street. But you get a pathway that takes you to the park, and all that it now has to offer.
And it was nice to have a pathway built a decade ago along Souris Avenue North, from Eighth Street to King Street. Gone were the days of walking through dirt, trudging around parked vehicles and being wary of vehicles.
We have some pathways that connect residents with the shopping areas in Estevan.
But there are also areas in which pathways are lacking, most notably along Kensington Avenue from Rooney Road/Nesbitt Drive to Fourth Street. It’s long been a safety issue that this vital stretch of road doesn’t have a safe area to walk for people who have no other means of transportation than their own two feet.
If Estevan were to be approved for this federal grant, it would be a real benefit for the community. We saw last year how many people were out walking or jogging and using the pathways and the sidewalks in the community. Walking and jogging are among the COVID-safe activities available, and exercising outdoors is good for our mental and physical health.
You can be sure that once the temperatures allow it, we’ll be seeing people out walking once again. COVID restrictions of some form are going to be with us for some time yet, so we’re going to be eager to do activities that allow us to be out in the public, enjoying the outdoors, getting exercise and still being smart.
The construction of additional pathways would improve safety for those who are in areas that don’t have them. They would create access to areas for walkers. For those who are ambitious, who have no qualms about taking a lengthy walk or a jog, it would allow them to take a 10 or 12-kilometre jaunt. And it would just be great to create recreation opportunities for others.
It would be another way to enhance the quality of life in Estevan.
At the same time, we have to realize that it is expensive to build and maintain pathways. This pathway project wouldn’t be able to proceed without this federal support; it is cost-prohibitive to try to do it on our own.
We can continue to maintain the existing pathways and build short stretches whenever possible. We can continue to create these nice, safe walking areas in targeted areas.
But we won’t be able to have them all.
We’ve been fine without a city-wide pathway system; we’ll be even better off once we do get it.
We also have to remember that should we get this grant, it would be incumbent on the city to maintain the paths. Like anything else, the asphalt on these pathways has a shelf life. Eventually, they would have to be resurfaced. And that will cost good money each year.
Hopefully, Estevan is successful with its bid for this grant, and can begin the process of linking this city together. And once it’s completed, then hopefully local residents would capitalize on this nice, new addition for the city.
