Mayor Garry McKay and Administrator Heather Scott stand outside the new Resort Village of Elk Ridge office. (Submitted photo/Heather Scott)

By Nigel Maxwell

Smooth transition

Resort Village of Elk Ridge off and running

Jan 11, 2022 | 5:00 PM

The Resort Village of Elk Ridge has been official for nearly two weeks, and last Saturday council held their first meeting.

Mayor Garry McKay told paNOW a lot of administrative structure was discussed including office hours and setting dates for council meetings.

“The big things for ratepayers are I come in and pay my taxes and get the tax discount; and make sure snow removal is up to snuff,” he said.

Last June, the Ministry of Government Relations officially approved the former hamlet’s application to be recognized as a resort village, however there were still a number of conditions attached including the need to have a council in place by Dec. 31. McKay described the feeling at midnight on Jan. 1 as anti-climatic, noting council was elected last fall and had been a big part of the transition team.

“There was the feeling that, okay, this is now done and we have delivered to the community what we believe they wanted to be a resort village,” he said.

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Along with the provision of having a council in place, an administrator was also needed. For that job Heather Scott was hired. For many years she worked in the same role for the Resort Village of Candle Lake prior to being let go last September.

“She brings experience that’s gonna help our council and our council is up to the task,” McKay said.

As per the separation agreement from the District of Lakeland, the new resort village still has up to a year to get its bylaws in place, and so that means they will still follow the ones passed by the district until amended.

“So for the taxpayer the transition should be seamless, other than the fact they will now come to our office versus the District of Lakeland,” McKay said.

Located at the Elk Ridge Golf Resort, the resort village office is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The next council meeting has been scheduled for Jan. 19 and there after will be held on the third Tuesday of every month.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell