As the RM of Gimli looks forward this year to celebrating the 150th anniversary of Icelandic settlers arriving in the area and furthering its commitment improving the lives of municipal residents, it’s feeling optimistic about its future.
On behalf of Gimli council, the RM’s manager of community engagement Christine Payne said there are exciting opportunities in store for the municipality as it moves full steam ahead in to 2025 and has many achievements to celebrate in 2024.
“There’s a renewed sense of optimism in Gimli, with a bright future ahead as we approach our 150th anniversary,” said Payne. “The collective spirit of Gimli, as demonstrated by the settlement of over 300 Ukrainian immigrants, makes the community stronger. Working together, we can achieve the municipality’s goals of growth, sustainability and protecting the values we cherish.”
For 2025, Payne said council has a number of goals / resolutions for the community. They include creating a “more resilient, inclusive and welcoming community” for future generations, continuing to support the settlement of newcomers, attracting younger residents through affordable housing, job opportunities and amenities, and streamlining RM communication with residents to ensure the community is served more efficiently through digital tools.
Some of the successes the municipality saw over the course of 2024 were growth and development, with “significant progress” made in a number of areas. Council also established its strategic plan with three guiding principles (protect, sustain and grow) and expanded the RM’s capacity to address new opportunities, build services and enhance the community.
Those include revenue-generating initiatives such as the Short-Term Rental and Accommodation Tax bylaws, which will support the local economy, community projects and tourism experiences.
Gimli mayor Kevin Chudd said council’s strategic plan and clear goals are focused on protecting, sustaining and growing the municipality. Council will be addressing challenges such as housing availability, creating job growth and improving the lives of residents and visitors.
“We’re building on our proud past while preparing for the future by tackling challenges like aging infrastructure, demographic shifts and the demand for housing. With projects like the Gimli Recreation Centre Campus Plan, enhanced services for peak events and investments in technology, we’re ensuring that Gimli remains a vibrant, connected and resilient place for future generations,” said Chudd. “As we approach our 150th anniversary, our focus on attracting young residents and fostering new job opportunities will help keep our community strong. Together, through collaboration and innovation, we’re creating a welcoming Gimli that offers opportunities for all. We’re excited for the future, and the journey ahead is full of potential.”
Like most municipalities, the RM saw its share of challenges over the course of 2024. Most pressing were ageing infrastructure that required significant investment and attracting opportunities for new housing developments to meet population growth and support newcomers.
“Like many communities, some of Gimli’s infrastructure is aging, and addressing this requires long term solutions,” said Payne. “[There’s] growing demand for support during peak events, including the need for better parking, garbage capacity and enhanced transportation. [We need to meet] the needs of a growing, aging population and provide diverse, affordable housing options, as well as ensure that [municipal] leadership roles and team expansions are aligned with the future growth of the community.”
Some of the big projects slated for this year include the creation of a Gimli Recreation Centre Campus Plan, which will revitalize community facilities, the construction of a new fitness centre, a master plan for municipal trails that will entail “improved trail systems, promoting active lifestyles and better connectivity,” road expansions that include connecting Centennial Road to Autumnwood Drive, and meeting the demand for diverse housing.
