Improvements to Goderich's Courthouse Square are complete, as a two-year construction project nears its end.
The Downtown Infrastructure project addressed aging sewers and water mains underground, while also making improvements to the streetscape.
The Town of Goderich says there are still some minor finishing touches to be done, including intersection topcoat paving work the week of October 14, weather permitting. The final top coat will be completed next spring.
However, the work that limited travel around the Square is in the rearview mirror.
Mayor Trevor Bazinet thanked the Lavis construction team, members of the Downtown Infrastructure Task Force, Town staff and council members, and businesses for their cooperation in helping the project run smoothly.
"This is something that we have now developed for future generations," he said. "The Square before was left to us by past generations, we had to replace that infrastructure and there were some changes that people wanted to see and I think we were able to implement them. Overall I'm getting really positive comments from the public now that they're able to see the Square."
Bazinet said he's gotten good feedback on the improved signage and trees, while the introduction of defined lanes should help enhance safety.
"It's a two-lane travel path, I guess you would call it, for vehicles. It's still one way, but there's two lanes," said Bazinet. "There was never lanes deciphered before, and the engineer felt it would be smart to decipher the lanes for people... Some people think the lanes seem a bit narrow, well people drive slower when they're in narrow lanes. People aren't zooming around the Square anymore."
The area has been under construction since May 2025 and the Mayor said residents were very good about supporting local businesses throughout the lengthy interruption.
"I think as a community, the majority of the people really stepped up and understood that now is the time to support them more than ever, when this construction project of two years is going on," said Bazinet. "We haven't had a business close because of this. Now have they seen a loss in revenue? Some businesses haven't. Some have, but the loss isn't as painful as they expected is what I'm hearing."
The Goderich BIA is hosting a celebration this Saturday (October 10) to mark the re-opening of Courthouse Square.
There will be music, food, a drobe photo and Mayor Bazinet will even help shave local Kevin Soehner's head, in support of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation's MRI campaign.
The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
