Written By Colin Grantham, Mayor of Strathroy-Caradoc
A recent study indicated that between 2016 and 2021 Strathroy-Carardoc has grown at a rate of 14%, the largest increase between London and Middlesex County. That growth rate is expected to continue in the near future.
The pressures of that rapid growth continued to be felt throughout the municipality in 2024. The effects on all infrastructure, roads, wastewater treatment, water delivery and recreation facilities are top of mind, as they are in all municipalities. However, they are compounded in SC given the rapid growth rate and accompanying urbanization in our urban areas of Strathroy and Mount Brydges.
To that end and to ensure that we are up to the challenge that faces us, we have a number of plans in place to guide us in the future. In 2024, we updated the Strategic Plan, which acts as the guide in setting priorities. As well we were able to complete the Master Water / Wastewater Plan along with the Roads Master Plan. These two plans reflect the importance given to key pieces of infrastructure. Lastly, the completion of the Service Delivery review will ensure that we have a strong organizational foundation in which to complete these priorities as well as meeting the needs of a quickly changing community.
The completion of all of these plans, including the delayed Settlement Boundary Review, have expended a lot of time and energy on the part of Municipal staff along with numerous hours of meetings by staff and Council. At times it did seem like we were constantly in meetings this past year but the work was necessary and important. I want to thank our staff for their efforts and all of council for their patience and diligence. Strathroy-Caradoc will be a better Municipality for the work completed in 2024.
Apart from planning a number of important infrastructure projects were either started or completed – Saxton Rd between Carrol St and Collins Way was turned into an urban road. This project along with the Strathroy Crossing Drain project will go a long way to alleviate the flooding issues felt in the SouthGrove subdivision. At the south end of Queen St work continues to help improve that major artery along with addressing drainage issues.
On another positive note, the work on Fire Station 1 continues with an expected completion date of early summer 2025. In the upcoming year I expect that council will begin the address the issue of a new Fire Station in Mount Brydges / Ward 2.
As someone mentioned recently, they have never seen this much construction in Strathroy. While a sign of our unprecedented growth it is also a sign by council that we will do what is necessary to ensure we keep pace with infrastructure needs.
Wastewater treatment continues to plague us – especially in Mount Brydges. However, while slow and at times painful, progress was made in moving closer to a final solution with the expectation that a final proposal will be in front of council in 2025.
Economic growth and opportunity continued this year with two exciting developments. First Burnbrae Farms announced that they will be remaining in Strathroy with the creation of a new 100,000 sq foot facility in our north end. Norbec Industries completed their new $45 million, state of the art facility that will bring 70 new jobs to our region.
As Mayor, along with all of council, I am extremely confident in our future prospects and the fact that we can compete with anyone to attract new business to our area.
It has been a year of tremendous growth that is true but I feel that with all of the hard, and at times exhausting work in 2024, that we are positioned to meet any future growth with sound planning and a clear direction. In reflection all of the hours were an investment in a community that has a bright future.
