The downtown areas in the Town of Nanton are ontrack to get a bit a spruce up this spring, which should make the area more attractive for visitors and residents.

Just over a year ago the Town went to business owners and asked what they thought downtown needed.

Marianne Morrison, director of corporate services with the town, said they put all their recommendations together and made a report.

"From that management sat together and created a response," said Morrison.

Three options were taken to council, one to do a small enhancement project with $100,000 budget, or number two to find an expert who could give the Town some guidance for doing a plan with the downtown.

"The third objective was to put together an entire downtown beautification or downtown upgrade which would have been with a firm that specialized in that. They would come back with an entire plan for the downtown area that would have been phased in over several years."

Council decided to go with the first option because of funding.

'The other two options would have required money to go to planning and development of the plan."

There also is no government grant money available right now that can be used towards a project like this.

"Council approved that we take the $100,000 and come up with a plan of what we can do and how we can put that money to the best use."

The best use includes fixing, replacing and adding benches, garbage and recycling containers, adding trees where possible, flower containers, fixing the curb on 20th street and building a retaining wall and sidewalk in one of the alleys.

"I think anytime we can give the business community a bit of a spruce-up or at least even some enthusiasm about some new things it is a positive experience for both the town and the business community."