City of Niagara Falls Recognized for Innovation with Provincial Engineering Award

NIAGARA FALLS, ON -  The City of Niagara Falls is celebrating provincial recognition after Aspire Consulting Group Ltd. received an Award of Distinction at the 2026 Ontario Engineering Project Awards (OEPA), presented by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - Ontario.

The award recognizes the City of Niagara Falls Asset Management Planning - Levels of Service Setting and Financial Plan project, a comprehensive initiative developed in partnership with Aspire Consulting Group Ltd. and in association with Hemson Consulting Ltd..

The project addressed a $414 million infrastructure funding gap for a growing community of nearly 100,000 residents and millions of annual visitors, while establishing a long-term, financially sustainable roadmap to maintain essential municipal infrastructure and services.

Key outcomes of the award-winning project include:

• Development of 79 measurable performance indicators across 11 municipal service areas
• The City’s public consultation focused on infrastructure priorities, generating 240 survey responses and achieving 63 per cent community support for increased infrastructure investment
• Creation of a $1.08 billion, 10-year investment strategy designed to close infrastructure funding gaps while maintaining long-term financial sustainability
• Completion of all required regulatory compliance measures ahead of the Province’s July 1, 2025 deadline, helping protect the City’s eligibility for future federal and provincial infrastructure funding

“This recognition highlights the City’s commitment to responsible infrastructure planning and meaningful community engagement,” said Erik Nickel, General Manager of Municipal Works. “Through this work, Niagara Falls is better positioned to make informed investment decisions, maintain critical services, and ensure transparency and accountability for residents today and into the future.”

The City of Niagara Falls congratulates the entire project team at Aspire Consulting Group Ltd. on this significant provincial achievement. Learn more about the City’s asset management planning work at niagarafalls.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Erik Nickel
General Manager of Municipal Works/City Engineer 
City of Niagara Falls
enickel@niagarafalls.ca