City reduces debt in 2023 by $7.5 million

Paying down debt, opening a new park, and seeing a foundation dedicated to raising funds for a recreational facility are amongst the 2023 highlights for Swift Current's mayor.

Atop Al Bridal's list was opening the Plewis Automotive Group Inclusive Park on the south side of the city. 

He was thrilled with all three levels of the government (federal, provincial, municipal) coming together to make the project work and was grateful to the Plewis Automotive Group for stepping forward with a large donation.

"It's not complete but to have the washrooms and the playground up and to watch the children playing has been so good for our community," he said. 

The first-term mayor is also pleased with another capital project on the south side of the city. The Stockade had insulation, metal cladding, and eaves troughs added for a budgeted amount of $300,000.

"That's going to take that building for the next 20 years at least, maybe longer than that to protect that building and make it usable for the soccer groups, volleyball groups, walking groups, and many more."

Part of Bridal's election platform in 2021 was to decrease the city's overall debt figures. At the beginning of 2023, the City's debt was $95.38 million and by the end of the year, it was down $7.5 million to $87.88 million.

When he took office in the fall of 2021 the number was around $84 million. However, the City made a $14.8 million expansion purchase from SaskPower that had to be paid for via debt pushing them into the red ink more. 

"This is going to pay dividends from now, likely forever," he said regarding the 2022 transaction. "We're talking about how our vehicles are transitioning away from oil and gas, electricity is going to be a main source of power for a number of years to come, likely forever. Us having our own utility will continue to pay our taxpayers in Swift Current dividends for the foreseeable future."

Bridal was quick to credit the previous council and administration for working on the SaskPower purchase, making it an easy decision for the current regime. He also pointed to council's decision in 1958 to hold onto their own electrical grid instead of selling out to SaskPower as other cities across the province did. This allowed council in 1986 and 1989 to expand its customer base and boundaries.

The one outstanding project he wished had been completed in 2023 was the North Hill Reservoir upgrades to improve water pressure for businesses along the Trans-Canda Highway and in the highland area. They have the money set aside to pay for the project once it's completed but its hit a snag currently.

"With supply chain issues, things weren't coming on time," he said. "It will be done this spring."

His highlight outside of City work is that the Southwest Facility Foundation was established last year and brings hope to the community for a recreational centre to be built in Swift Current in the future.