For Mayor Scott Goodmanson, 2024 has been another year of steering the ship that is Langford towards its B次元官网网址渘ext evolution.B次元官网网址�

Progress has been slow and steady, but he and his team are making waves, says Goodmanson.

B次元官网网址淲e're not here to turn the boat 90 degrees,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚f you have a super tanker, they don't turn on a dime, but if you nudge them just two or three degrees port of starboard, 20 knots down the way, they miss the rocks, and over time it's slowly heading in that new direction.B次元官网网址�

Work has been ongoing to create B次元官网网址渕ajorB次元官网网址� planning documents for the city, he says, something Langford has not had in its 32 years as a municipality.

B次元官网网址淲e've never had a transportation master plan, an active transportation plan B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 never had a full parks and recreation plan,B次元官网网址� said Goodmanson.

And the list goes on: arts and culture, economic development, asset management and more.

Goodmanson expects most of these plans to be completed in 2025.

B次元官网网址淭hese are documents that set the city forward for x number of years, until they're reviewed,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淎nd then they've got to be living documents.B次元官网网址�

One of the master plans coming to fruition in 2024 was the Urban Forest Management Plan, which councillors gave a green thumbs-up to in November.

The plan will help maintain and improve tree canopy coverage across the city.

B次元官网网址淭hat was huge because Langford was basically the only municipality around without one,B次元官网网址� said Goodmanson.

B次元官网网址淚t's an honour to be able to plan the next course for Langford on the foundations already existing from the previous 30 years of mayor and council,B次元官网网址� he adds.

According to Goodmanson, 2024 was a record-breaking year for construction investment.

B次元官网网址淟ast year [2023] we did over half a billion dollars in construction investment,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭his year, the numbers aren't fully in for the end of the year yet, but this is likely to be the biggest year for the city ever.B次元官网网址�

Also breaking records this year was the purchase of the Westhills YW/YMCA Langford Aquatic Centre for $35 million, the biggest in the cityB次元官网网址檚 history.

While the decision divided residents, Goodmanson says he is proud of the level of engagement the city had from the community.

B次元官网网址淸There were] lots of opportunities for the public to weigh in,B次元官网网址� he says.

But while the city has been planning and building for its future, the day-to-day work continues. And for Goodmanson, itB次元官网网址檚 some of the more modest achievements that have been his highlights of 2024.

A new off-leash dog park, the grand opening of Lone Oak Park and plans to open a new play area in Porcher, are all on his list.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes the little things are the best,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not huge or flashy, but for people that are gonna use it, it's great.B次元官网网址�

Community events, holiday parades and taking part in the Victoria Pride Parade for the first time in the cityB次元官网网址檚 history also stand out as B次元官网网址渉ugeB次元官网网址� core 2024 memories for Goodmanson.

B次元官网网址淭here were just smiles on everyone's faces,B次元官网网址� he said about the Pride parade. B次元官网网址淐elebrating openness, power, inclusivity, all those things, and I expect that we're gonna be in it next year, probably with a bigger and better float.B次元官网网址�

Cheering on Team Canada's women's rugby sevens team at the Paris Olympics had Goodmanson bursting with pride, knowing Langford had played a small part in their success.

The team, who train at Starlight Stadium, went on to claim an Olympic silver medal, Canada's best-ever result in the event.

B次元官网网址淚t felt huge,B次元官网网址� said Goodmanson, who says he follows the Olympics religiously. B次元官网网址淚 think there was a bit of a roar and sigh across Langford, with it being so close.

B次元官网网址淏ut, people forget, silver medals are huge,B次元官网网址� he adds.

B次元官网网址淟et's hope five, 10 years from now, we have more sports in Langford that are trying to get to the national, international stage, that we can help.B次元官网网址�

Looking ahead to 2025, Goodmanson says the city will be continuing to focus on finishing its list of master plans and reviewing the official community plan.

B次元官网网址淚 wish it was big flashy stuff,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淏ut this is basic stuff that we want to get in as a foundation, so years from now the city can build and work on them B次元官网网址� these are fundamental foundational plans that cities need.B次元官网网址�

Challenges facing the city include the downloading of costs from the province, including funding for 911 call-taking and police dispatch service.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 frustrating to think about that one, as it's unequal,B次元官网网址� says Goodmanson, referring to how dispatch services in most areas across B.C. will continue to be funded by the province and federal governments.

And ambitiously looking even further ahead, Goodmanson is confident he will be running again for council in 2026.

B次元官网网址淭here's been so much good news,B次元官网网址� he says about his term so far. B次元官网网址淚t's not all roses and cherries, but I'm still happy.

B次元官网网址淚f the election was tomorrow, I would be running, I think all the council would be too."