2018-2022 Councillor Term Summary – Whyte Ridge

This is a very very brief summary of key issues I’ve been working on specific to the Whyte Ridge neighbourhood, and initiatives that I look forward to working on. I am very thankful to have had the support of many many residents who’ve been also working to make our neighbourhoods safer, healthier and a great place to live and play! Thank you!

 

Neighbourhood Safety

  • Over the past four years, I’ve hosted multiple community events and produced videos on crime prevention, your role in crime prevention, what is happening in our neighbourhood and more.
  • To review many updates on crime, please go to www.JaniceLukes.ca and use the search engine and enter the word CRIME
  • The Waverley West ward is one of the safest areas of Winnipeg – but we still have crime. I will continue to host education events, and work with any groups of residents who want to develop a more detailed crime prevention plan for their neighbourhoods.
  • A total of $18 million has been secured for a portable and permanent fire station in the Waverley West ward. Construction will start on the portable station on 2023. This fire station will provide improved service to the neighbourhoods of WhyteRidge and Linden Ridge.

 

Speeding

  • New roads, new drivers and the need for speed is an ongoing battle. I’ve had engineers conduct many traffic studies over the past four years, and we’ve implement traffic calming on some key streets.
  • To review many updates and progress on speeding, please go to www.JaniceLukes.ca and use the search engine and enter the word SPEED
  • I’ve worked with Winnipeg Police Service to raise the awareness of speeding issues, and have been successful in seeing a reduction if speeders due to good enforcement by the Winnipeg Police Service.
  • Regrettably, speed will always be an issue on new streets, and this battle will continue.

 

Recreation

  • We’ve got some amazing recreation projects on the go in Whyte Ridge! I’m thrilled to have secured $1 million for a new spray pad which is being constructed at the community centre!  Residents were calling me, I found city funding, then worked with our Provincial and Federal partners and we are going to have a beautiful spray pad opening in 2023.
  • Major renovations are occurring at the community center – I’ve provided funding to upgrade windows / walls / the kitchen and more!
  • Am very pleased to have united Pembina Active Living with the community centre to enable recreation and activities for all ages and ensuring the facilities are accessible for all.
  • I’ve also been focused on upgrading pathways, adding benches and planting trees in our parks  – there is more work to do for sure to upgrade older facilities, but we are on a roll and have a list of more to do!
  • I’ve worked with HGI and WhyteRidge schools to provide playground upgrades, and am working with area residents to install an off leash dog park. Lots of good things happening

 

Roads and Traffic Signals

  • Whyte Ridge has some older road that are being repaired.  Every year the public works department conducts a review of streets – and identify and categorize the street conditions and then go about prioritizing repairs. The Waverley West ward has three neighbourhoods with older streets, Whyte Ridge, University and Waverley Heights. These are the neighbourhoods the public works department is focusing on. I know many folks think more ‘focus’ is needed – but, as a City we have to spread the investments around. There are many many areas that have much older roads which are even in worse condition.
  • The City of Winnipeg has invested record funding in road over the past eight years. Waverley West currently receives approximately 3% of the residential street renewal budget.
  • To review the roads that have been repaired, please go to www.JaniceLukes.ca and use the search engine and enter the word ROAD CONSTRUCTION
  • Spectacular progress has been made on the addition of turning signals at Scurfield / Kenaston – soon to be installed at Columbia, and traffic signals on McGillivray – and light are planned to enable pedestrians / cyclists to cross McGillivray to Fort Whyte Alive when the new interpretive center opens. You can find all this information on my website.