Chatham-Kent’s Mayor is praising the determination and resilience of Wallaceburg residents.
Speaking at the 4th annual Mayor’s Breakfast, hosted by the Wallaceburg and District Chamber of Commerce, Darrin Canniff said the community has a history of dealing with challenging times, but always manages to balance the good with the bad.
Canniff touched on a number of issues, including plans to fast-track development on the south side of the Sydenham.
“I want to be able to come up with a plan to borrow the money, take on some debt, to start that phase, to get it going,” Canniff said. “Over the next few years, I want to see something happening there.”
The 20-year South Side Secondary Plan was approved by council in March, 2024, and includes public use buildings, a boardwalk, more green space, and new residential units with both affordable and senior housing.
As with many communities not only in Chatham-Kent, but across Ontario, affordable housing remains a major need.
Canniff said there are a number of developments in the works, including Minnie Street and Westcourt Boulevard. However, the Mayor says what is needed most is private partnerships.
“We, in the municipality, are trying to make it really easy for people to develop housing in Chatham-Kent. We need private developers to step up, we‘ve got lots of areas for it to happen.”
Canniff made note of land behind Walmart between Lowe Avenue and Gillard Street that has been fully approved for development, but just needs private investors to help bring the vision to life.
Canniff said successful communities are a team effort, and called for greater collaboration between area residents, the private sector, and municipal government to help Wallaceburg grow and prosper in the future.
