After Council’s decision to extend the public consultation for the Strategic Plan 2024-2027, Kawartha Lakes hosted a Special Council Meeting the evening of Thursday, February 15. This meeting provided the opportunity for Committees of Council and the public to give additional feedback on our community’s Strategic Plan for the next four years.

During public consultation for the Strategic Plan in 2023, a number of key themes came to light that are reflected in the current draft, including:

• Affordable housing is needed
• Sustainable and environmentally conscious development is desired
• Improved health care, education and services are needed now and as we grow
• Amenities such as outdoor spaces, community events and recreational facilities are desired and valued
• Transportation – roads, active transportation, transit, connections to GO Transit – are all needed now and to support growth and business
• Preservation of small town culture and heritage is important

Adding to the feedback so far and the themes above, Council received over a dozen deputations and correspondence during the Special Council Meeting. For more information on what was received, please see the agenda on the municipal website or watch the meeting in full on the City of Kawartha Lakes YouTube.

The extended public consultation remains open until Friday, February 23. If you have not had your say already, please go to www.jumpinkawarthalakes.ca/strategicplan2024 or visit a Service Centre or Library to fill out a feedback form. All input, from the consultation in 2023 and this month, will be considered and a report back will be brought forward to the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 19.

The Strategic Plan is the municipality’s roadmap to follow, setting the priorities and direction for the years to come. More details and a copy of the Draft are available at www.kawarthalakes.ca/strategicplan. Once approved, staff will move forward with developing and rolling out action plans to further detail the work ahead.