Lanark County Council Highlights – June 11, 2025

Press Release – Lanark County 

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held June 11, 2025.

Lanark County Proclaims National Long-Term Care Day

Lanark County Council has proclaimed June 13, 2025 to be National Long-Term Care Day in Lanark County. The proclamation states National Long-Term Care Day is an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions of long-term care homes across Canada. The day honours the dedicated staff, volunteers and families who provide essential care and ensure the comfort, dignity and well-being of residents in long-term care.

It notes long-term care homes “play a significant role in the healthcare system by providing essential services to thousands of Canadians, particularly seniors and individuals with complex care needs,” and adds “the demand for long-term care services continues to grow with Canada’s aging population, highlighting the importance of sustained investment and innovation in the sector.”

Council acknowledged the critical work of long-term care providers, such as the county’s own Lanark Lodge, and the profound impact they have on communities.

For more information, contact Shawna Stone, Director of Long-Term Care, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 7101.

Aggregate Resources Master Plan Received

Lanark County has received the Lanark County Aggregate Resources Master Plan (ARMP) and directed staff to prepare a schedule of proposed official plan amendments to update the aggregate policies for review.

At the economic development committee meeting last month, Planning Manager Mike Dwyer explained the ARMP is a background report to inform an update to the county’s official plan. The draft was released for stakeholder and public consultation in December and was finalized by Nick McDonald from Meridian Planning Consultants to include updates reflecting the feedback and professional recommendations on policy options.

The ARMP was needed due to changes in the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) that now require mineral aggregate deposits to be identified. The Lanark County Sustainable Communities Official Plan (LCSCOP) currently only shows licensed pits and quarries, but the PPS requires mineral aggregate resources to be protected for long-term use.

The plan reviews/assesses relevant provincial legislation and official plans; the mineral aggregate industry in the county; environmental, social and economic factors; viable deposits for protection and extraction; potential constraints to extraction based on stakeholder input; mapping of resources; and existing pits and quarries, known feasible deposits and bedrock and adjacent lands. The report provides a number of options for consideration and makes recommendations with respect to each.  

“The ARMP has been through a robust two-year process to get to this point,” Dwyer said, adding staff will work to develop specific official plan policy amendments over the summer for council to review. “Once satisfied with the potential scope of the specific amendments, the formal official plan amendment process will kick off in the fall, including a public meeting as required by the act.”

The goal is to adopt the amendments by year end.

For more information, contact Mike Dwyer, Planning Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1520.

Tender Awarded for Five Span Bridge

Lanark County Council has awarded a tender to KB Civil Constructors Inc. for $965,861 to complete substructure rehabilitation work on the Five Span Bridge in Pakenham (Mississippi Mills), which was below the estimated cost. 

Director of Public Works Sean Derouin said the tender closed on June 2, which will allow for construction to start on schedule for the July 15 in-water works timing window. Four bids were received.

“Proactive investment in the bridge will reduce life-cycle costs and future demand for construction and impacts to the surrounding area,” he said.

Derouin said daily road closures are expected to take place from Monday to Thursday during daylight hours and on Fridays until noon. The road will remain open overnight and on weekends and holidays. Closures are expected to be in effect from July 15 to Oct. 30. Live closure updates will be provided to motorists using digital display boards and a signed detour will be in place. 

The renowned historic bridge was built in 1901. Derouin indicated a major rehabilitation was undertaken in 1984 that helped to protect the arches and redistribute loading to prevent failure from traffic loads. More rehabilitation took place in 2012. 

The county has received approval from the Mississippi Mills Heritage Committee and the Ontario Heritage Trust, as well as completing several studies and additional consultations. The rehabilitation in 2025 will be isolated to the underside and in-water works, including replacement of the concrete jackets surrounding the bridge piers and repointing deteriorated masonry joints. 

Planned work in 2026, includes replacement of deteriorated parapet wall stone and deck drains, construction of new curbs and gutters, replacement of expansion joints and repaving the bridge deck. Improvements to the approach to the bridge are also planned to improve drainage and sightlines, new decorative light posts, new asphalt driving surface on the approaches and bridge deck and colour-changing LED lighting under the bridge. Costs for 2026 will be included in next year’s proposed budget. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Director of Public Works, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Transportation Master Plan Update Moving Forward

Lanark County Council has directed staff to proceed with issuing a request for proposals for a consultant to undertake the transportation master plan update. 

At the last public works committee meeting, Director of Public Works Sean Derouin said the existing transportation master plan was published in 2010 and requires an update to reflect the growing population, land-use patterns and transportation network demands. Public Works began the update process in fall 2023. Several existing and new policies will be incorporated into the study. 

“The transportation master plan will be a comprehensive document that provides clear direction for guiding the capital and operating needs of the county as it continues to grow,” Derouin explained, adding the successful consultant will assess the road network and establish a long-term improvement plan to address existing and future needs, including costs estimates and timing. This will also include considerations related to active transportation, planned bridge projects, the paved shoulder program, road classifications, Lanark County-specific municipal design standards, roundabout screening, potential truck routes and a review of half-load roads.

The work is expected to begin later this summer with a final draft in 2027. “Local municipal input during the development of the plan is vital,” Derouin said. “Upper- and lower-tier municipalities must work collectively to develop an integrated transportation network that meets the needs of all road users.”

For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Director of Public Works, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Upcoming Meetings

County Council, Wednesday, June 25, 5 p.m.; Public Works, June 25 (following County Council); Economic Development, June 25 (following Public Works). Please note there are no regular meetings in the month of July. County Council, Wednesday, August 13, 5 p.m.; Community Services, August 13 (following County Council); Corporate Services, August 13 (following Community Services).

Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on Instagram.