Credit is due to the Village of Boyle for identifying an opportunity and wasting no time in seizing it.
The village’s impending acquisition of a plot of land upon which to build a new administrative building (as well as the library and, potentially, other important community services) is the kind of decisive action that governments of all sizes are often criticized for not making.
Realistically, the new building won’t be ready for use for another year, if not two. There will be no immediate gratification derived from this purchase. In fact, council and village administration will be inconvenienced by it for a considerable amount of time.
That’s because the current administrative building will soon be turned over to the RCMP K-Division Integrated Traffic Unit and Sheriffs Office, which is expanding. After that move is complete (likely in the spring, if not late winter) village business will be conducted in the Community Centre until the new building is ready.
By making this move now, they are showing their commitment to helping Highway 63 become safer for travellers. The Traffic Unit and Sherriffs Office is expanding and more personnel will be posted in Boyle to help police the dangerous highway. By stepping aside and allowing the enforcement units to take control of the current administration building sooner rather than later, they are smoothing the transition for both parties.
The purchase of this 12-acre plot of land on Highway 831 south of Clintberg Avenue represents commendable forethought on behalf of the decision makers in Boyle. It does not, however, come without questions.
There are still some important details yet to come out regarding this project (most notably the price the village will pay for the land). The village showed admirable forethought in making this decision, and now they must show the same forethought in answering the questions that residents will be asking. First and foremost is how much will taxpayer’s pay for this land; 12 acres doesn’t come cheap. Residents will want to be assured that they are getting a good deal for their money. Giving them that assurance could be made difficult by the fact that it will be some time before the full potential of the newly purchased land is realized. The village certainly has grand ideas for what the look and function of the plot will eventually look like, and they’ll need to share those ideas with residents if they expect their support.
The Village of Boyle is making a big first step towards a new future, and it could very well be one that will benefit all. It’s now up to the village to convince residents that’s the case, and to tell them exactly why.
