Picture Butte mayor calls 2020 an unprecedented year

Picture Butte Mayor Cathy Moore says that COVID-19 has posed a challenge we’ve never seen before.

Posing the biggest challenge the Town of Picture Butte had faced in 2020, the pandemic made for an “unprecedented” year and the town had to keep up with changing restrictions, keeping their staff safe, creating contingency plans to continue to provide services to residents if staff members contracted COVID-19 and how to safely operate their facilities.

“One of the biggest disappointments was not being able to properly have a grand opening of our (Cor Van Raay & Community Aquatic Centre),” said Moore. “We are hopeful that we will be able to enjoy a full summer with our new pool in 2021.

“With all of the restrictions in place, it is nice to see our residents supporting our local businesses and helping each other out when they can. I saw our Community pull together with goodness and generosity when it was needed the most. This makes me so proud to say I am from Picture Butte. Here’s a toast that life will return to ’normal’ in 2021.”

Despite the challenges the pandemic posed, the town achieved some major opportunities as well. They entered into partnership with South Grow Regional Initiative, which will see the town lease office space to an executive manager in exchange for economic development work in town. Moore said the town is excited for this partnership to begin in 2021.

The federal government is also providing capital funding through the Municipal Stimulus Program, with which town council approved paving the pool parking lot and beginning the trail system from 4th Street to 5A Street South.

The town will see more sidewalk replacements, a new ball diamond dugout, replacement of the Command 101 Truck, replacement of a water pump in the Water Distribution Centre and phase 2 of a sanitary trunk main upgrade on 4th Street from 5th Street South take place this year.