From new business to housing to transportation, St. Thomas, Ont. Mayor Joe Preston projects 2026 to be a banner year in his city. “The construction of the largest industrial facility in Canada, at least, is something to brag about,” Preston told CTV News during his Winter Levee Saturday at the Horton St. Market. “The steel going up is now. I’m keeping the names of all the people that said ‘That’ll never happen’. I’m sorry but as you start putting up concrete and steel, it’s really happening.” Preston joked he’s still waiting for an apology from all those naysayers. “Then with Vianode also already under construction and building their new facility on Yarmouth yards, and Element Five and their success across North America, there’s some great industries in our community that are the second to none.” Those big businesses come with the need for help from all levels of government. “When we announced Power Co, I remember saying at the time, be careful what you wish for and we’ve got a great wish come true,” said Rob Flack, Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP. “What you have to do is provide the infrastructure to support it. When you take a look at what this province and this country is investing in this area is pretty significant.” Flack says there will be some significant announcements supporting municipalities with key infrastructure like wastewater, transportation and schools in the coming weeks. Preston believes his council can’t sit on its laurels and need to continue to project the city’s growth over the next 20 years.” “We’ve got a lot of daycare center discussion going on right now because we know as we grow, we have to do that from a city,” said Preston. With that growth comes the need for housing for people moving to the city, as well as the homeless. “We’ve got Balaclava (Indwell apartments) and I could look over my shoulder and see Balaclava now starting under construction which is 78 more supportive housing units,” said Preston. “That gives us an end to homelessness in our lifetime here in Saint Thomas. We’ve seen what’s happening out at Elm (Street) and Wilson (Avenue). That project is now starting to move along and that’s a great deal of housing with Drewlo (Holdings). There is a new subdivision being built up on Sandymount Hill and as I sit here and think, boy, there’s a lot going on in this community.” With this growth comes the need for improved amenities and transportation. The Parks and Rec Master Plan is coming shortly, and the Transportation Master Plan goes to council Monday evening. When it comes to transportation, the Middlesex County Connect service has been renewed by the province until 2030. That will provide connections between cities in Lambton County, Middlesex and Elgin County, as well as London. “When you take a look at London, it’s growing,” said Flack. “It’s grown 40,000 people in last few years. Saint Thomas has exponential growth and we have to keep people moving and moving safely. That is a big priority of our government.” A major capital project is hoping to be completed this week. The bridge at Talbot Street which connects Fairview Ave and Burwell Rd. has been delayed but the traffic lights are expected to arrive early in the week according to city engineer Kevin De Leebeeck. It would take a couple of days to install and wire the lights, then the road can be open. Preston is looking forward to all the projects ahead and feels his council deserves to return in an election year. “Right now I want them all back,” said Preston. “This was a council that works well together and gets great things done for Saint Thomas and thinks of the citizens of Saint Thomas while we’re doing it. So we’ll keep, working together as long as we can.”
