​Welcome to the Downtown Action Plan Project!

The Town of Ponoka has begun an exciting planning process to revitalize our Downtown area. The goal is to create an even more attractive and vibrant community hub that will be a source of community pride and a catalyst for future economic growth.
The Downtown Action Plan was approved by Ponoka Town Council in September 2017.  The approved Plan was developed through a citizen-driven visioning and planning process over a 10-month period that included open houses, an online survey and a public hearing that invited public input on the Downtown Action Plan.  The purpose of the Downtown Action Plan is to be a general guide for the Town in planning physical improvements in Downtown Ponoka, and in efforts to attract increased tourism and customer patronage in the Downtown. 

The Heritage and Downtown Revitalization Committee (an advisory committee Town Council) is now working with Town Administrative staff on a proposed long-term implementation plan for the Downtown Action Plan over the next 15 to 20 years.
  • Click here to read the news release announcing Council's approval of the Downtown Action Plan.
  • Click here to view the Downtown Action Plan, which includes Land Use Bylaw Amendments to implement parts of the plan. 
  • Click here to view all documents posted on the Newsroom page during the development and public consultation process that led to the approved Downtown Action Plan. 

Why is the Downtown important?

​The Downtown is the heart of a community. It’s the focal point for local activities and helps define a community’s identity. For many, the attractiveness of a Downtown shapes opinions and ‘first impressions’ about the health and vitality of a community. Tourists and visitors often seek out Downtown areas to find services and to get a sense of what a community is all about. 

Who is leading the Downtown Action Plan Project?

The Town has asked the Heritage and Downtown Revitalization Committee to be the Steering Committee leading the project. The Committee members are mainly local business representatives and residents with a passionate interest in Downtown Ponoka. Two Town Councillors also sit on the Committee, which is supported by Town Staff and a team of community planning and landscape architect consultants.
The Committee’s role includes:
  • Helping gather public input, make recommendations to Council, and helping guide the planning process during the months that led up to the final development and approval of the Downtown Action Plan.
  • Promoting implementation of the Downtown Action Plan over the years ahead by making annual recommendations to Town Council identifying specific components of the Plan it recommends implementing each year.
  • Helping implement parts of the plan.

The Downtown Action Plan includes:

  • An Updated Vision for Downtown Ponoka
  • A series of Suggested Actions to encourage future growth, development and improvement of the Downtown
  • A recommended design for Future Streetscape Improvements for the Downtown which include features such as trees, wider sidewalks and street furniture 
  • Land Use Bylaw amendments that include Architectural Guidelines for future development of buildings Downtown
  • A Heritage Preservation Overlay (an amendment to the Town's Land Use Bylaw) which identifies sites of historical interest and requires a review prior to major changes to these properties
  • A Plan for Managing Parking
  • A Marketing Strategy
​A map of the Downtown Action Plan study area can be ​viewed here.

What is the Project Timeline?

The Downtown Action Plan is a long-term plan with implementation expected to occur over the next 15 to 20 years.

Most of the planning process that led to the approved Downtown Action Plan happened from January to August 2017.  Here's an overview of the planning process that occurred:
Background Building - Early Winter 2017
A Background Report was compiled based on past studies, stakeholder interviews and a field survey of Downtown Ponoka.
​Visioning Process & Public Engagement - February/March 2017
Included an online and hard copy survey, as well as two Public Open Houses for the public to review background info and provide suggestions and input on how to make Downtown Ponoka more attractive and vibrant. 
Draft Concepts and Plans - Late Spring 2017
A draft Downtown Action Plan was created that built on the input received through the survey and Open Houses.  The draft Plan included multiple streetscape concepts, proposed Land Use Bylaw amendments, a Downtown parking strategy, and a marketing strategy to promote Downtown Ponoka.
Public Review of Draft
The proposed plans and design concepts were presented at a Public Open House for review and feedback.
Recommendations to Council
The Steering Committee and Project Team presented recommended plans and concepts to Town Council.  Before Council considered approval of the recommended plan, a Public Hearing was held to hear public input on the proposed Plan and Land Use Bylaw.
​A detailed Terms of Reference for the Downtown Action Plan project can be viewed here.
For more information, please contact:
Tim Schmidt
Director of Planning & Development
Town of Ponoka
​Phone: 403-783-4431
Email: [email protected]