What started off as an original  three year plan to invest in the City of Winkler's sidewalk system 10 years ago has continued on.
    
With the exception of one year when $300,000 went into improving and adding to the city's sidewalk system, for almost a decade now the city has been investing an average of $200,000 into fixing old sidewalks.
    
Mayor Martin harder said this year is no different, with $205,000 going into the city's walkways.  The city is currently replacing a good stretch of the sidewalk along the south side of Mountain Avenue, and also widening it from 5 feet to 6 feet.  "We want to ensure that we maintain the south side first because the school (Winkler Elementary
School) is on the south side, so it needs to be done first. We want to do it right, and we want to make sure we maintain at least one public pathway that leads to main places, like the schools."

Sidewalk work is also planned for sections of 8th Street, and 6th Street South this summer.  The portion being replaced on 6th Street South will remain at its current width of 5 feet, while the section to be done along 8th street will be widened to 6 feet.

Harder said it's a good investment for the city to ensure the sidewalks are in good shape.  He added it's just as critical as making sure city streets are looked after and fixed if there's a need.

Harder noted the city is also gearing up for street patch work, which will commence in about a month.

 

The stretch of sidewalk on Mountain Avenue's south side will be widened to 6 feet