OLDS — Coun. Debbie Bennett says there’s a strong need to work hard to bring back economic vibrancy to Olds -- especially in the Uptowne area -- once COVID-19 is beaten or at least under control.
Bennett made that point during a town council meeting last month, citing ideas from the Canadian Urban Institute, a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto. It looks at urban and international issues across the country.
“This is a national platform but its main concern is COVID recovery for businesses, no matter the size of your town or city,” Bennett said, adding its goal is to “build vibrant, equitable, livable and resilient towns and cities,” by rejuvenating their downtown cores.
There’s a real need for that in Olds, Bennett said.
“I’m sure most of you have been downtown or in the Uptowne area, rather, and seen what Saturdays are like and it’s like you could drive Archie the tank (Sherman tank on static display at the Olds Legion) down the street and nobody would notice on most Saturdays," she said.
Bennett listed several examples of things that could be done to revive businesses in the community, especially in Uptowne.
One idea was for landlords to facilitate cheaper leases in empty properties to encourage businesses or pop-up shops to locate there.
Other ideas included encouraging more sidewalk cafes to improve the viability of restaurants as well as holding festivals, encouraging sidewalk chalk creations and even having DJs do their thing Uptowne in the summer.
Bennett said the resulting socialization would go a long way toward improving the mental health of residents who have been cooped up during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“There are those who, whether they’re volunteers, the Chamber, the Uptowne group and municipalities, we all have a chance to recover quicker when we all collaborate,” she said.
Bennett encouraged people to visit the Canadian Urban Institute’s website to get ideas on what they could do to spur business as the pandemic subsides.
Mayor Michael Muzychka said he had not yet been to that website but said he “certainly” would do so.
