On March 24, we hosted a public Special Committee of the Whole workshop where we focused on one of the most important and complex topics impacting our town: asset management. This is the Town’s strategic approach to how we care for and invest in everything that keeps Newmarket running including roads, water systems, bridges, parks, stormwater management, public facilities, and more.

While it may not always be front-of-mind, asset management directly affects our quality of life. Whether it’s the smoothness of the road you drive on, the condition of your local park, or the reliability of your tap water, these systems are essential to our everyday experience as residents.

As the Councillor for Ward 6, which includes Summerhill North, Summerhill South, Armitage, and Shining Hill, I often look at these town-wide decisions through the lens of our neighbourhoods. I’m grateful to the residents who reached out after the workshop with thoughtful questions, which I’ve answered below. But first, here are a few key highlights from the session.

Technology and Innovation in Asset Management

A major point of interest during the presentation was the growing use of smart technology, including (coming soon) AI-powered asset management cameras. These cameras will monitor the condition of our roads, bridges, stormwater systems, parks, and public facilities. They help identify cracks, wear, deterioration, and potential safety issues, before they become critical.

This proactive approach helps the Town plan ahead, reduce costs, and prioritize repairs more effectively. It’s one more way Newmarket is using innovation to improve efficiency and accountability.

There is a lot to cover so here is “One Fact for Each Major Asset”!

The following facts are from today’s workshop and our last Asset management report card from May 2024.

Roads: Newmarket’s roads are 5 percent better, on average, than those in comparable municipalities across Canada.

Bridges: Our bridges are 8 percent better than the national average, with 97 percent projected to remain in good or very good condition through 2034.

Facilities: The Town maintains 37 public buildings, including libraries, fire halls, and recreation centres. These are regularly inspected to ensure accessibility, safety, and function.

Water: Newmarket averaged 20 watermain breaks annually between 2019 and 2024. Preventive maintenance is expected to reduce this number further in the coming years.

Wastewater: The Town manages 284 km of sewer lines. No new asset-specific risks have been identified for wastewater at this time.

Stormwater: With over 318 km of storm sewers and 36 wet ponds, the Town is taking a proactive approach to managing flood risk and protecting natural ecosystems.

Parks: Newmarket maintains 47 km of pedestrian networks, 119 outdoor play structures, and dozens of park features. Renewal efforts are underway for aging infrastructure.

Resident Questions from Ward 6

Question from Priya in Summerhill North:
"How will the Town prioritize repairs and upgrades?"

Answer:
Prioritization is based on a mix of data, asset condition ratings, usage, and community impact. Roads and facilities are scheduled based on current condition, age, and the results of inspections including those gathered from monitoring tools. Council also receives annual updates so we can adjust priorities based on new information.

Question from Liam in Armitage Village:
"Will this impact my property taxes?"

Answer:
The Town’s financial strategy includes a long-term increase in contributions to reserve funds, with a target increase equivalent to 1.5 percent on the tax levy over time. This is part of a responsible approach to ensure sustainable funding for infrastructure renewal.

Question from Leo in Shining Hill:
"What is the plan for dealing with extreme weather?"

Answer:
Stormwater and wastewater systems are being updated to account for climate change and more intense weather events. The Town is implementing low-impact green infrastructure such as bioswales, storm ponds, and enhanced drainage facilities to better protect homes, roads, and ecosystems from flooding and runoff.

Stay Informed and Get Involved

The video recording of the March 24 Special Committee of the Whole workshop will be available in the coming weeks once Council ratifies the session. You’ll be able to watch it by visiting newmarket.ca/meetings and selecting the “Special Committee of the Whole” tab under Past Meetings.

The formal 2025 Asset Management Plan is expected to come before Council in June 2025. Residents are encouraged to review the materials and provide feedback.

You can share your thoughts or ask questions by emailing info@newmarket.ca or calling 905-895-5193.

For more background, I also encourage you to read the Town’s May 2024 Asset Management Report Card, which is available here:
View the Report

Thank you for your continued engagement. Together, we are planning for a stronger, more resilient Newmarket now and for future generations.

Sincerely,
Councillor Kelly Broome
Ward 6 - Town of Newmarket

Paul Semple Park Savage Road Armitage Village Neighbourhood

In partnership with York Region School Board, the small structure (between the big structure and swing bay) is being replaced with a similar design, but slightly larger with fresh new components including talk tubes, play panels, spinners. step stones, climber and more.

Opened on Friday, August 30, 2024

Ward 6 Spotlight: How Asset Management Impacts Our Neighborhoods