It has been a challenging year for most all communities in the midst of a pandemic, including Rockyford. Mayor Darcy Burke took some time with the Mail to talk about the events of 2020 and what the community has to look forward to in 2021.
COVID-19 took its toll on the village, especially on its annual events.
“We missed our annual rodeo and Bullarama, which brings a lot of people into Rockyford and supports the community and our businesses,” said Burke. “Missing those two events has a major impact on the community and our non-profit groups to generate funds for what they do for our community. Hopefully, in 2021 we see the return of those types of events.”
He adds the impact to their community-owned facility including its community centre, the arena, and the curling rink, has been great. The village has been able to help soften the blow.
“Our council was very proactive early on and we set aside funding for our community centre and Ag Society to operate our arena and curling rink. Council paid the 2020 operating insurance for those groups, so that alleviated some costs there,” said Burke.
About six weeks ago, council also took another step, granting the community Centre and Ag Society each $10,000 and another $5,000 to the local library to help support their operations through this tough time.
“Without those groups, we are going to be in huge trouble. Without those people being there to operate those buildings, I don’t know how we would be able to replace that,” said Burke.
“You really have to look at the community and the dynamics of the people that make it up. It’s tough, there is no mincing words…you have to do whatever is possible to alleviate operating costS for folks.”
One positive has been a busy campground.
“Our campground revenues in Rockyford were at an all-time high. We have never seen as large of a profit as what we will see in 2020,” he said.
The Lions and the Village partner on the operation of the campground, and this year, the Lions have reinvested some funds into a multi-use, campground kitchen facility.
2019 was a major year for the village, celebrating its centennial. With that, brought several capital projects. For 2020 the village held back on new capital projects, which turned out to be an advantage.
“Council had already decided we would take a break from capital projects in 2020,” he said. “In 2021, we will be in the process of tendering water and sewer main replacements and paving of 1st Avenue East in Rockyford,” he said. “It is part of our 10-year capital replacement plan in Rockyford, so we continue to work through that. “A lot of the money is already in place through MSI and government and federal grant money.”
He adds that part of these funds includes a successful application to the provincial government’s COVID stimulus program.
He has a positive outlook for 2021.
“I am an eternal optimist, and I always try to find the good in people and the best of situations. I certainly hope that 2021 will be the change year. I am certain council will be cautious again in their spending,” he said.
He says council is going to be very mindful of utility rates and tax rates. There is an added expense this year with provincial changes making municipalities responsible for police funding.
“Council’s preliminary budget is showing we are going to end 2020 with a very respectable surplus, so that is positive to see too, and if we have to bring forward some of the 2020 surplus into the 2021 operating for COVID relief, that is an available option as well,” he said.