The City of Stratford has spent millions of dollars on new sewers in the last few decades, upgrading an aging system and better preparing the city for storm management.
All of that infrastructure upgrading was certainly put to the test recently with heavy rainfalls pummeling the region and parts of the province.
Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma says he knows of flooded basements including in the Buckingham Drive area, and they are concerning for him, homeowners and residents.
But the mayor has not heard of any significant impact on the city’s storm management systems after the recent rainstorms.
From an infrastructure standpoint, the city has weathered the storm.
Ritsma adds that the city made sewer improvements a top priority after a massive rainstorm in the early 2000’s that left a number of residents with flooded basements and led to lawsuits against the city.
The city invested a lot of money and continues to do so to move water, he said, noting completed connections to flood ponds.
Elsewhere in the community, anywhere with a patch of grass felt the impact.
Stratford soccer practices and matches were cancelled due to pooling water.
Rob Douglas, director at Stratford Country Club, says Mother Nature is always in charge.
A number of small lakes and sitting water continue to impact the local golf club.
Douglas said the course has been hit with at least 10 inches of rain recently.
That has led to the closure of the golf course and some creative re-scheduling, including the annual ladies better ball tournament getting moved to the end of July.
But Douglas says they are on the road to recovery and should be open on the weekend.
