LAURIE WEIR
Beckwith Township closed out 2024 with several significant milestones while gearing up for an ambitious 2025, according to Reeve Richard Kidd.
Among the township’s standout achievements this year was the completion and official opening of the new Net-Zero Energy and Post-Disaster Municipal Office and Community Hall. This state-of-the-art facility was eight years in the making, supported by careful financial planning and a $5-million loan at a low 2 per cent interest rate, along with a $750,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The grant specifically funded green energy features, including solar panels and heat pumps.
Although the post-disaster design added significant costs, Kidd emphasized its importance: “Being green isn’t the end of the world. You can see the return with time. But the post-disaster structure, that’s where the money really went, and it was extensive,” Kidd said.
The township now enjoys ample space for municipal offices and a larger community hall, enabling further community engagement and expansion opportunities. It’s more peaceful, he said, and soundproof. There is also less traffic congestion when trying to get in and out of the parking lot.
Plans are underway to sell the old municipal office on the 9th Line. Kidd says he doesn’t want to be a landlord.
Another highlight of 2024 was the debut of the Beckwith Skating Trail at Beckwith Park. This 1-kilometre loop, nestled in a wooded area, offers a serene winter experience free from motorized vehicles. Kidd noted the challenges in creating the trail: “We used to have one in the field, but it was too difficult to maintain with the blowing snow and sun. Now, we flood the base with a tanker and finish it with a Zamboni for a smooth surface.”
The Beckwith Recreation Complex also saw substantial upgrades, including a $250,000 investment in new indoor turf and high-efficiency lighting. “Adult soccer leagues run four nights a week here, and many participants come from Ottawa and the surrounding areas,” Kidd said. “These facilities attract visitors who often end up moving here after seeing what Beckwith has to offer.”
Beckwith Township celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Beckwith Volunteer Fire Department, recognizing firefighter Gary McEwen’s 60 years of service—a remarkable milestone for the community.
Outlook for 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, Kidd outlined plans to expand the township’s trails network to better connect its hamlets and key locations. One focus is linking Franktown to Gilles Corners. “It’s nice to have a trail that goes somewhere,” he explained. “Kids in Gilles Corners could get to the store without walking on the highway, and it would also connect to the OVRT [Ottawa Valley Rail Trail], allowing people to travel to Carleton Place.”
In addition, Beckwith will bring two tandem snowplows into its fleet early in the year, replacing aging trucks from 2009 and 2011. “This isn’t about expanding the fleet; it’s about upgrading to modern, more reliable equipment,” Kidd said.
The township will also host two major events at Beckwith Park: the Lanark County Truck Roadeo and the Ontario Truck Roadeo Championships. Scheduled for late summer, these events test drivers’ skills through obstacle courses and other challenges. “It’s a big deal,” Kidd said. “The Lanark event will be like a dry run, and then the provincial competition happens the next day. We’re hosting both at the park, with a banquet in the community space and a trade show on our turf field.”
Another significant project for 2025 is the $1-million replacement of the outdoor multi-purpose sports field turf. The township has applied for a provincial grant to offset costs, with an answer expected in February. “We’ll proceed regardless of the grant,” Kidd confirmed. “The work will happen in the fall of 2025, after the busy sports season, so it won’t disrupt activities.”
Community events like the Franktown Lilac Festival, Beckwith Heritage Days, the Goodwood Music Festival, and New Year’s Family Fireworks will also continue to grow. “We’re almost back to pre-pandemic attendance levels, and we’re ramping them up a bit,” Kidd said. “These events help integrate new residents into our growing community.” The popularity of the fireworks, for example, has drawn thousands, especially children, as they can have the winter light show a lot earlier in the evening.
Budget planning for 2025 is well underway, with a focus on thorough review and prioritization. Kidd emphasized the importance of waiting for audited financials from the previous year before finalizing decisions. “Having the budget done by Dec. 31 doesn’t mean much to me,” he said. “I’d rather have accurate numbers to work with.”
With a strong focus on infrastructure, recreation, and community building, Beckwith Township is set to build on its successes and achieve its goals in the year ahead.
