By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Year-End Interview: Jackie Clayton

Dec 27, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Our year-end interview series begins today with Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton.

Clayton became interim mayor earlier this year after the resignation of Bill Given. She was then elected to the post in October’s municipal election.

Clayton says things have been moving quickly since election day.

“(There has) been a lot of orientation. Council hasn’t seen such an extensive orientation in previous years. It was a lot of work to get everybody up to speed on the many different things we are working on and I’m starting to settle in.”

“This is a really great council. I’m really excited to work with them. They bring a lot of knowledge and experience.”

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Clayton says 2021 was the city’s biggest capita year on record with $85.9 million put into projects including things like roads, trails, and recreational facilities. She believes the work prepared the city for future growth.

Projects included the new Smith recreational centre, a new bike skills park, 23 kilometres of road improvements and finishing Phase 4 of the Downtown Rehabilitation and Streetscape project.

She thinks the roads are in better shape than they have been in the past and the current council wants to continue improving the roads.

Clayton adds something else to remember from 2021 is the passing of Councillor Clyde Blackburn in May and former Councillor Helen Rice in November. She says they both had a great impact on council and the community and will be greatly missed.

Clayton says the new recreation centre in the Smith area is very close to opening.

She says if it does not happen by Christmas, it will happen early in 2022.

“It’s really an activity centre. It’s a great reception centre. It will be a place where kids and adults can drop in and play multiple sports. It’s basically a big gym.”

” I think our first use will be we will open it with the indoor skate park sort of approach and take the mobile skate park equipment that we purchased and put it indoors.”

Clayton says it is a simple facility that will serve multiple purposes.

Clayton adds 25 people have moved into the Coordinated Care Campus

This is the permanent supportive housing facility located in the former Stonebridge Hotel.

Council approved the purchase in July even with some very vocal opposition from people who live in and /or own businesses in the area.

Clayton says many people agree such a facility is needed in Grande Prairie but acknowledges there are concerns with the location.

“I know that administration and Enforcement Services are working hard to work with the community as well as the residents in the neighbourhood to make sure that the issues people brought forward to council are taken care of, so, regular communication (and) Enforcement Services having a strong presence on that neighbourhood.”

Clayton says more people will move in in 2022 as will the city’s Community Social Development Department. A lot of work to finish will be done in the first quarter of the new year.

Clayton adds she is looking forward to seeing what the new council comes up with during a strategic planning session that will take place in February. Council will put together a four-year plan.

She says signs point to 2022 being a great year and she is looking forward to what the economy provides not only for the region but the entire province.