Centennial Street Redevelopment

The intersection at 50 Avenue and Centennial Street is open to traffic! The intersection still requires some work, the estimated schedule details are here.

Phase 2 of the Centennial Street Redevelopment project is scheduled to begin on September 9, 2024. This phase includes improving the intersection at 50 Avenue and Centennial Street. Thanks to all the amazing Lakers for their patience during construction. The new intersection will bring much needed improvements in safety and traffic flow downtown. We also thank everyone who continues to support our local businesses during the construction.

Work includes

• Remove old asphalt, concrete curbs, and sidewalks
• Install underground wiring conduit for the new traffic signals
• Excavate and install a new gravel structure to provide a base for a new asphalt road surface
• Build new curbs, gutters, and sidewalks
• Pave the road with asphalt
• Install a new asphalt walking path on the east side of the intersection
• Landscaping
• CN Rail and Fortis are also working on upgrades

Duration

• September to October 2024, weather permitting
• Once the above work is complete, work to install traffic lights begins

Closures

• The 50 Avenue and Centennial Street intersection is closed during construction
• All businesses remain open during construction
• Businesses and the library remain open and accessible during construction
• Pedestrians can access all businesses during construction
• When new concrete is placed, please visit businesses using the rear access for 24 hours while the concrete dries
• For businesses without rear doors, we will make every attempt to schedule work so that any business closures are kept to a minimum. For example, scheduling concrete work on days businesses are closed. Closures should be kept to 24 hours, just to allow for new concrete to dry
• Please stay safe by following signage

Open parking during construction

• The library parking lot south of 50 Avenue
• On street parking north of 50 Avenue

Questions

• Ask your question in the Ask & Answered section

Economic Development, in partnership with Public Works, is launching a new pilot program called Construction Coffee. These open sessions will be held at Lakeshore Café on a bi-weekly basis starting May 15 until June 26, 2024.

Downtown business leaders from the construction area will have the opportunity to meet with project managers and construction foremen in a casual setting to ask questions, provide feedback and stay up to date on all elements of the Centennial Street Redevelopment project.

WHEN?

• May 15, 2024
• May 29, 2024
• June 12, 2024
• June 26, 2024
• September 18, 2024
• October 2, 2024
• October 16, 2024
• October 30, 2024

WHERE? Lakeshore Café | 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Area Business Owners are welcome to join us for a coffee/tea and snack to get an update on the Centennial Street Construction Project.

Want to learn more about construction in Sylvan Lake? View our 'What to Expect When You Are Expecting Construction' brochure!

We have some great news for the downtown core! We are paving the gravel sections soon to minimize impacts on local businesses. Paving will get downtown ready for a fun and prosperous summer 2024. All downtown businesses in construction areas are open.

Centennial Street Redevelopment

• Before 1913 Days: A temporary layer of asphalt on the 50 Avenue and Centennial Street intersection, weather permitting. This will keep downtown flowing smoothly through the summer months
• Ask Centennial Street questions here

We had scheduled construction along 50 Avenue from 49 Street to Centennial Street to begin May 6. The much needed rain caused a delay, and this section of construction should begin this week, starting May 27.

Although this work is on 50 Avenue, it must be completed before we can work on the Centennial Street and 50 Avenue intersection and rail crossing

On April 25, Council and staff visited downtown businesses impacted by the Centennial Street project. We spoke with management and owners in person to answer questions and share an invite to the May 7 open house.

What we did:

• Visited 31 businesses
  • Along Centennial Street from Lakeshore Drive to 50 Avenue
  • Along 50 Avenue from Centennial Street to 49 Street
• Delivered a flyer giving notice of May 7 open house

Missed this visit?

• No problem! We are sending out the same information that in-person visits received.
• It will arrive by Canada Post sometime after May 1, 2024

We're looking forward to meeting with local business owners on May 7 to discuss Centennial Street! Town staff, project partners, and some Council members are attending to chat and answer project questions.

Why?

• To keep you informed!
• Public sessions will showcase storyboards, 3D renderings, plans, and more
• Attendees can ask questions about the project as well
• Additional meetings will occur in the future
• Those unable to attend can request meetings at a later date

When?

• May 7, 2024
• Two sessions
  • 10:00 AM - Noon
  • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Where?

What else?

• Work continues in 2024. There is a planned two-year break for 2025 and 2026
• Visit us online for additional details and future updates!

• Visit the project Ask & Answered to send us a question about the Centennial Street project

• The imagery will help us develop streetscaping design concepts for the Centennial Street project

• Centennial Street from the railway tracks to Lakeshore Drive

• Visit the project Ask & Answered to send us a question about the aerial survey or the Centennial Street project

As planning and the project moves forward, we post meeting dates and participants here.

May 7, 2024

• Open house

Mailing April 29 - May 1, 2024

• Delivering details shared by in person visits directly via Canada Post
• Businesses from Lakeshore Drive to 50 Avenue

April 24, 2024

• In person business visits:
  • Businesses from Lakeshore Drive to 50 Avenue
  • Delivered a flyer giving notice of May 7 open house
• Staff attending: Town of Sylvan Lake Project manager, members of Council
• Downtown attending: We were able to visit the majority of businesses. We spoke with management or owners in person to share information and answer questions

April - May 2024

• Upcoming communication:
  • Information about 50 Avenue and Centennial Street intersection construction
  • Notice of May 7 open house
• Staff attending: Town of Sylvan Lake Project manager, members of Council (TBD)
• Downtown attending: TBD as available

September 2023

• Detail: Notice of intersection construction and Centennial Street project
• Staff attending: Town of Sylvan Lake Project manager and Communication Assistant. Stantec project manager
• Downtown attending: C.A.M. Nails, Shear Envy, Yellow Shirt Relics, Sylvan Lake Barber Shop, The B Nest, Eclectica Fashion, Once Again Consignment

The Centennial Street project is an investment in the future of downtown. It helps downtown businesses by increasing accessibility. But is a community effort.

We all must do our part to improve our community:

Residents

• Continue to support downtown businesses
• Be cautious around the construction site to keep workers safe
• Share this page so others can find accurate information

Businesses and property owners

• Create a construction strategy. Plan for extra marketing.
• Learn about the construction to help inform their construction strategy
• Participate in project events and meetings with the Town
• Register on engage.sylvanlake.ca and follow this project
• Ask questions in the Ask & Answered
• Talk with our Economic Development Officer to get connected with business supports
• Bring concerns to our project manager or construction foreman
• Partner with and support other downtown businesses. For example, participate in the Tourism Partnership Program

Town of Sylvan Lake

• Provide news and advance notice of construction progress
• Communicate that businesses are open during construction
• Problems may arise during construction. The project manager works with businesses to find solutions
• Communicate our progress on supporting downtown businesses
• Share a list of meetings with downtown businesses and property owners
• Connect businesses with support to help them thrive during construction, such as:
  • Help with marketing / digital presence (Business Link)
  • Loans (Community Futures Central Alberta)
  • Tourism Partnership Program
  • Full list of more supports coming soon

• Two year break in between phase 1 and 2, tentatively planned for 2025 and 2026 (visual timeline)

• Construction runs from April to November, but we are limiting July and August construction wherever possible

• Keeping the Centennial Street and 50 Avenue intersection open for the majority of July and August

Questions?

• Ask questions