It's hoped there will be a big housing boom in Petrolia in the coming years, and an ongoing infrastructure project will help make that happen.
Crews are working on significant watermain upgrades in the area of Petrolia Line, which will also benefit nearby Enniskillen Township.
It's anticipated over 1,000 new homes will be built, in five separate developments, off Oil Heritage Road in the southwest corner of town.
That represents about a 40 per cent increase in Petrolia's housing supply.
Project Manager with BM Ross and Associates Alex Morfin said the current 200 millimetre watermain is being upgraded to 300mm.
He said the work, being undertaken by Clarke Construction, is in the first of two phases.
"The first phase runs from Bear Creek all the way to Kentail Street, that's approximately 700 metres of watermain," said Morfin. "Phase two, which is potentially planned for next year, will be from Kentail Street to Oil Heritage, and then south on Oil Heritage by about 750 metres just past the Waste Management plant that is there. That will see about 1.1 additional kilometres of watermain."
Morfin said the impacted grass, sidewalks, boulevards, and driveways in the area will be fully restored to their previous conditions.
He said the first section should be active in a couple of weeks.
Petrolia Deputy Mayor Joel Field is thrilled.
"This is very exciting for Petrolia, it's exciting for our growth and our opportunity," said Field. "Along with the five developments, there's also the potential for commercial developments. We need this upsizing. Enniskillen Township has stepped forward to ensure the quality of water for all of our residents."
Field said there's no doubt the projects will move forward.
"Some of them are in different stages with site plans and zoning, and we're going to see some of them come to fruition in the new year," he said. "Anyone that I talk to, once they come to Petrolia they don't want to leave Petrolia. Anybody in the GTA that wants to move and take their money and come here, they're going to get a good value for their dollar."
Canada's Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson commented on the project in a news release.
"Through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, our government is helping communities like Petrolia and Enniskillen build the critical infrastructure needed to unlock more housing," he said. "Reliable water and wastewater systems are the foundation of sustainable growth. By working together with our provincial and municipal partners, we’re ensuring that communities across Ontario have the tools they need to grow and thrive."
Ontario Acting Minister of Infrastructure Todd McCarthy said investing in local infrastructure is part of the province's plan to protect Ontario, strengthen the economy and create more jobs.
"The Watermain Upsizing on Petrolia Line project is part of our government’s $4 billion investment in critical infrastructure that will make new housing possible,” he said.
The project was celebrated with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday afternoon, as dignitaries posed with golden shovels in the ground.
Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, MPP Bob Bailey, and Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure Amarjot Sandhu were also in attendance.
The upgrades were made possible through $1,347,802 in funding from the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) Program.
More than $2 million was also allocated through Ontario's Enabling Water Systems Fund.
