What the Capital Improvement Plan is
The Capital Improvement Plan is a four-year roadmap for how the City spends money on infrastructure and community amenities. It helps us plan ahead for maintenance, renewal, and upgrades to the systems and spaces you use every day. Instead of reacting to emergencies, we use asset management data to schedule work before things break down.
What we invest in
Your capital plan supports the physical backbone of Wrenford and the places where we gather. Investments fall into these main categories:
- Roads, sidewalks, and trails, including the Tamsin River Trail System
- Drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems
- Parks, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation facilities
- Community centres, arenas, and aquatic centres
- Libraries and public safety facilities
- Municipal fleet, technology, and climate resilience projects
How the plan is funded
We pay for these projects using a mix of sources so that costs are shared fairly between current residents, new development, and external partners:
- City contributions: Property taxes, water and utility fees, parking revenue, and capital reserves.
- Development contributions: Development charges and community amenity contributions collected from new residential and commercial projects.
- Partner contributions: Grants and cost-sharing from federal and provincial programs.
- Debt and reserves: Borrowing for large projects paid back over time, plus savings set aside in advance.
How we build the plan
Capital planning follows a clear cycle each year. Council sets the priorities, and the City Manager’s office works with department heads to match those goals with available funding and engineering standards. The process typically includes:
- Public engagement: We share draft priorities and ask for your feedback on what matters most in your neighbourhood.
- Financial review: Planners and engineers check service levels, lifecycle costs, and climate risks to make sure projects are feasible.
- Draft plan release: A complete list of proposed projects and budgets is posted online.
- Council approval: The final four-year plan is adopted, usually in the fall, and becomes the official guide for spending.
Get involved
You can help shape the next capital plan by sharing your ideas through Contact, attending a public information centre, or speaking at a council meeting. When a draft plan is released, we will post updates on News & Events and in your local ward. This plan works alongside the Official Plan to guide long-term growth and infrastructure standards. For detailed project reports, visit the Budget page. If you have questions about how a specific infrastructure project affects your property, contact Planning & Development.