Mayor Al McDonald says there’s plenty of positives when looking back at 2016.

He points out building numbers are at a five year high with over $76-million, the waterfront study is ongoing and they’re gathering community input with their strategic plan.

But that’s not all, “Our strong credit rating that we’ve been able to maintain over the last six years is a really good thing for our community, we’ve reduced our debt by over $10-million this year, which I think is a strength,” he added.

McDonald also says they’ve spent $180-million on infrastructure over the last decade and 25 per cent of the city’s roads have been resurfaced over the past five years.

However, he says there were challenges,“Canada Bread closing was a challenge. A few stores in the downtown closed, but we’ve had more net new openings of stores in the downtown core than we’ve lost.”

McDonald also says they’re seeing different segments of economy improve, but the mining sector is still struggling.

When it comes to the number one issue for residents, he says it’s the Energy East Pipeline proposal.

“I believe our residents are really concerned about their only source of drinking water and we do take our drinking water out of Trout Lake, and the pipeline runs right through that watershed,” McDonald said.

Council has been citing the safety of the city’s drinking water as their concern for a couple years now.

McDonald also says they need to focus on growth and economic development next year.

“Growing our city, growing revenues, that’s more development, really supporting entrepreneurs and business so they can create jobs, create wealth for our citizens,” he added.

McDonald goes on to say their challenge is to not get sidetracked by all the smaller issues, but to focus on building the city.