The Town of Stonewall is moving forward with annexation.

Stonewall Mayor Clive Hinds explains that it's something they were always prepared to deal with one day, but it wasn't expected to take place in the current town council's term. He says they had a study made that revealed that there was not enough landmass for them to grow in the future over the next 50 years.

"We decided to meet with the RM of Rockwood, which is our next-door neighbour and very good partnership that we have with them, and started to have the conversation," says Hinds.

He notes the Town of Stonewall currently encompasses nine quarter-sections. And the land that they're looking at that has been discussed through the RM of Rockwood would be eight additional quarter-sections.

"We originally reached out to the RM and we had some great meetings," adds Hinds. "A lot of people confuse annexation with expropriation. Annexation is a change of municipalities. Everything stays the same."

Hinds notes once people became well-informed and properly understood the processes involved, many are now excited about the annexation.

"We can provide things like garbage pickups and stuff like that that they don't normally really get now from the RM," continues Hinds. "They have to go and dump their garbage or whatever. When the town is in play, they may even get sewer and water that they did not have before."

Hinds adds that the Town has grown since about 2004-2005 and sort of waned in 2015. He notes that time has seen some strong residential growth with many businesses that have moved in. He explains they made the town enjoyable for all, including seniors. He says there are more 55-plus residents than others, whom he calls "under-agers". Hinds says walking paths and many other amenities they provide have been enjoyed by all.

He says they're looking for the annexation to occur so that they will be able to give even more to all their residents.

Celebrating Annexation resolution having been passed