Chatham-Kent’s mayor is reflecting on 2024 as a year of challenge and growth.
Darrin Canniff says as with almost every community in Ontario and across the country, Chatham-Kent has grappled with inflation, the rising cost of living, and homelessness.
“That is the big issue that we’re dealing with in ’24 and we’re going to be dealing with it again in ’25.”
Canniff cites the new transitional cabins being built to replace Victoria Park Place, the temporary homeless shelter on Murray Street in Chatham. The lease at the temporary shelter is set to expire in May. Canniff says he hopes the new cabins will be ready by mid-2025.
“We need more. We need to make it more affordable for people so they can afford rent, they can afford to put food on the table.”
There are big issues that will continue to be discussed around the council table in the new year, including the proposed community hub with a vote on whether to move on to the next steps slated for March.
On the lighter side, Canniff says the increasing number of events and festivals taking place across the municipality throughout the year is something to celebrate.
“That’s what’s going to bring people here and keep people here is what can they do when they’re not at home and not at work, what are they doing? And that’s what we’re working on, in 2024 we made some advancements there.”
Canniff is looking forward to seeing the new Bear Line recreational park become a reality with indoor sports facilities, pickleball, cricket, basketball courts, walking trails, and more.
He also praises local residents for investing in CK, not only with their hard-earned money, but their time and effort in making Chatham-Kent a community where people want to live.
“Our cost of living is a lot lower than it is in a lot of other places, there’s a lot of benefits to living here. We’re going to be seeing that as we move forward, I expect a lot more people will be moving here because of the amenities that are offered, because of the cost of living, because of the jobs that are going to be here. It’s an exciting time to be living in Chatham-Kent.”