Imagine for a moment what our town might look like 30 years from now.
What legacy will be left for future generations?
If you’re picturing a cleaner, greener, healthier and more prosperous community by the year 2040, then you’re likely to embrace the proposed vision statement that has been developed by a group of local residents and planners who are working on a sustainability plan for Sackville.
“The purpose of this vision statement, which was based on input from the broader community over the past five months, is to provide that ultimate goal to achieve sustainability in our community,” said Tracey Wade, coordinator of the Sustainable Sackville plan.
To attain that goal, the community will need to, over the next 30 years, “work tirelessly to reduce waste, diminish pollution, conserve energy, and encourage healthy, active living,” according to the draft vision document.
By the year 2040, it is envisioned that the town’s quality of life will be rooted in Sackville’s healthy natural environment and resilient local economy, and enhanced by significant cultural opportunities.
And as a vibrant university town, Sackville will celebrate its diversity, compassion and a sense of local pride in having safe, walkable streets, usable parks and green spaces, and a wide range of social, educational and recreational opportunities for individuals and families.
Citizens will work actively to achieve community improvements that are measured against sustainability principles.
The community’s diversified, creative, local economy will provide employment for a range of skills, education levels, and ages. Community members will shop locally in Sackville’s vibrant downtown and get much of their food from the region’s growing agricultural sector.
“The next stage is to consider the gap between that future vision and the reality of today.” - – Tracey Wade
Wade said the process leading up to the visioning concept has been fairly extensive – with surveys, focus groups, discussions and meetings featured along the way with input and contribution from various stakeholders.
“The concepts were then vetted through e-mail and several drafts were presented to the Sustainable Sackville steering committee,” said Wade. “Following significant discussion with that group, another draft was developed and then comments were received again from the broader working group.”
And the process is still ongoing, she said, requiring more refining and commentary before the vision statement is presented to council for consideration at its May meeting.
“We will be seeking much further community input on this vision statement, and as we go through the next activities on the Sustainable Sackville initiative,” said Wade.
The next step, she explained, will be to lay out the sustainability plan itself, to put into words how the community might achieve that long-term vision starting from the present day.
“The next stage is to consider the gap between that future vision and the reality of today.”
Anyone with questions, comments or is interested in participating, can contact Tracey Wade at SustainableSackville@gmail.com or at the planning commission at 364-4701.
