Next week, there are going to be two nights worth of meetings at the Civic Centre in Outlook that’ll be looking at developing what’s called a ‘community strategic plan’. The town has hired a consultancy that will be holding these two presentations, and the goal is to establish what areas Outlook needs to focus on as it pertains to keeping the future nice and bright.
It’s a good move, and one that’s long overdue for a growing community such as this. Well, actually, I should say it’s a move that’s long overdue to finally be fully executed, because it’s an idea that was actually tossed around as a project to undertake in the past, but for whatever reason, it just never came to fruition. I can’t help but think that’s really unfortunate because if this level of critical thinking and future planning had been set in motion, say, five or ten years ago, then who knows what Outlook might’ve looked like today, or if perhaps certain amenities might have had a slim fighting chance at being saved from closure.
*COUGH* SkyTrail *COUGH*
But I digress.
What matters is that these meetings are happening right now, at a time when Outlook is welcoming new people who are establishing new families, and at a time when questions loom about the future of the town’s business sector and what it’ll take to draw new investment and tourism to the area. It’ll be interesting to see who shows up to these meetings and contributes because from what I’ve heard, this is NOT the typical open-house affair where John Q. Public can waltz in, drink some free coffee and just quietly take it all in. If you’re at these meetings, it’s because you’re either a business owner/employee who wants to see the town flourish, or you’re involved with the Chamber of Commerce and eager to talk about what it’ll take to attract people to the area, or you’re involved with any community groups who want to discuss any number of initiatives aimed at growth or continued stability in Outlook.
So then, with all of that in mind, what if you had something of a ‘Community Planning Wishlist’? A list of things you wanted for your community area, no matter what the cost was? If you were Master and Commander of the Universe, what would that list look like?
Well, I did a little thinking, and I came up with the following for Outlook:
*Author’s Note – some of this is intended to be satirical and/or humorous. Whether that is actually achieved is up to you, dear reader*
1. A plan to re-open the SkyTrail. This goes without saying and shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that knows me that I would *love* to see the bridge open once again. We’re closing in on five years since it’s been closed. That needs to change. I’ve said it time and time again; I don’t know precisely what it would take to see it reopen one day, but I know it needs to be addressed. Tourism is going to be a BIG area of discussion at these meetings next week, and the SkyTrail is…I mean WAS Outlook’s biggest tourist draw.
2. A coin-operated multimedia slideshow installed outside the D&E convenience store that instructs people on the basics of walking over to a trash can and disposing of said trash. You probably think this is one of the ‘humorous’ entries, don’t you?
3. Some form of recreation for the deer that walk up from the regional park and basically take over the town at nighttime. I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve cruised around and come across these poor, bored animals. Don’t they deserve the chance to be entertained too?
4. More all-ages events aimed at getting people out and about in the community. Specifically, I’d love to see more things being planned at the Rec Plex because that facility is criminally underused for all that it offers, and the revenue should be a lot better than it is year after year.
5. An in-depth campaign aimed at shopping in town and supporting your local merchants. This town’s close proximity to Saskatoon is a double-edged sword and the pros & cons depend on which side of the cashier counter you’re standing on. Dollars spent in Outlook mean dollars that stay in Outlook. Call it ‘Be Vocal About Local’.
These meetings next week are sure to be telling ones. Apparently, there’s going to be an online presence to them that will gauge peoples’ thoughts on certain things, so it’ll be interesting to see where people side on some topics and key growth areas.
Hopefully, the time has come for this town to proclaim, ‘Look out for Outlook!’
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
