As Utilities Kingston’s new president and CEO, I am privileged to take the helm of an organization that is known across Ontario for its tradition of excellence.
From our award-winning safety programs to high customer satisfaction scores, our reputation in meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements, responsiveness to community needs, reliable customer service and cost-saving efficiencies, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of Kingston’s unique multi-utility model.
This annual report covers the final year of Jim Keech’s outstanding career as the President and CEO of Utilities Kingston, and I’d like to acknowledge his 40 years of leadership, serving our organization and community. Our community’s respect for Jim’s passion, knowledge and dedication echoes in the local pride and support for the multi-utility model.
Thus, it is my pleasure to offer the 2021 annual report on Jim’s behalf and highlight our progress on the annual work plan, our strategic plan, long-term capital projects and operational performance. These results are part of our commitment and responsibility to deliver safe and efficient utility services to our customers.
The 2021-2025 Utilities Kingston Strategic Plan was received and approved by our Board of Directors on May 28, 2021. It sets out 13 strategic goals and 31 initiatives that respond to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a desire to strengthen our relationship with our Shareholder, the City of Kingston. We are guided by aspirations to better meet customer expectations, manage assets to benefit the local community, and take climate leadership action.
In this third year of the Council-approved four-year capital and financial plans for 2019-2022, we progressed on several key construction projects. These improvements to community infrastructure will strengthen the vitality, growth, and development of Kingston for decades to come, ensuring the continued reliability of utility services, saving energy, and protecting local natural bodies of water.
The newly upgraded Municipal Substation No. 1 is now supplying power to the downtown core. We invested in Kingston’s oldest substation, located inside a heritage building on lower Queen Street. This multi-year project was initiated in 2015 and has now been completed, ahead of the anticipated completion in 2023. The upgrades were made almost entirely by Utilities Kingston’s substation electricians, which resulted in cost savings for the project.
We made significant investments in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, to help ensure safe, reliable tap water for current and future customers, support fire protection and protect the environment.
These investments include advancing the critical upgrades at the Cataraqui Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, starting construction at the Days Road Sewage Pumping Station, continuing the project to redirect the flow of sewage from the Portsmouth Pumping Station and interconnect the Front Road watermain, and installing a new water main on Highway 15.
The employees of Utilities Kingston have worked hard to maintain operational excellence throughout the challenges presented by the pandemic. Thank you for your dedication.
I’d also like to thank our Shareholder and Board of Directors for your support in furthering our vision, to advance the unique multi-utility model to benefit our customers and, with the help of our tremendous workforce, build better communities.
