.jpg)
The town of Lanigan is reflecting on a year of significant growth and positive change, with new projects and developments paving the way for an exciting future. From the construction of a new school to the expansion of healthcare services, the community has made impressive strides. As the town looks ahead to 2025, Mayor Tony Mycock, is focused on further expansion while preserving the small-town charm that defines Lanigan.
"Some of the highlights for this year would be, we've got the new school being built," said Mycock, "so that's a huge addition for our community."
Alongside the new school, work on the school access road is nearly complete. "We’ve got the school access road pretty much done for the new school, so we’re going to have access to the back of the school for the school buses, so they don’t have to drive through town where the kids walk to school," the mayor added. The project will help ease traffic congestion and ensure the safety of students as they travel to and from school.
Lanigan has also made significant progress in attracting new residents and businesses. "We’ve really been working on development readiness, rezoning, and preparing Lanigan to grow," Mycock explained. "That’s been a big thing we’ve been working on in 2024." This effort aligns with the town’s vision of creating a thriving community that continues to offer opportunities for both residents and businesses.
One of the year’s most significant developments is in the healthcare sector. Lanigan secured funding for a nurse practitioner and a third doctor for the community, helping to expand the services available at the local hospital. "That’s going to help us get our hospital reopened. Right now, we’re only open seven days a week, just daytime hours, but we’ll be able to open 24/7 with an emergency department and have beds open as well," Mycock said. The increased healthcare capacity is seen as a major step in improving the quality of life for Lanigan residents.
Lanigan also saw a leadership transition in 2024 with the election of a new council, which has been working diligently to set a clear path forward for the town. "We did new council training, we brought in Dr Gordon McIntosh to get us off to a really good start with our new council," said Mycock. "We’ve got our strategic plan which we’ll start releasing in January, along with our budget for 2025."
Looking ahead, Lanigan's growth is a central focus for 2025. "We want to see it grow as far as residential development, business development, and commercial development," Mycock explained. "We want to grow Lanigan while maintaining the positives for Lanigan. We’re a small community, everybody knows each other, and it’s a really great place to live and raise a family."
The town is also planning to foster community spirit through local events. "We know we’re going to work on planning for different events in 2025," Mycock said. "We need to do some community events to get everybody involved." The town’s annual "Celebrate Lanigan" event in June will continue to be a highlight, with more initiatives designed to bring the community together.
Another key focus for 2025 is inclusivity and diversity. As immigration continues to grow in Saskatchewan, Lanigan is committed to ensuring that all residents feel welcome. "We’re really working on inclusion and diversity in the town," said Mycock. "We need to include people from all backgrounds in our strategic planning. We want everyone to feel welcome, no matter where they come from."
As Lanigan moves into the new year, the mayor and council are optimistic about the future. "We’re excited as a council going into 2025 and beyond. We have a four-year term, and we’re looking forward to working together to continue to build and grow Lanigan," Mycock said.
With a strong foundation in place, Lanigan is poised to continue its upward trajectory, offering its residents a vibrant, growing community while preserving the warmth and camaraderie that have always been at the heart of the town.