Overall, the city is in good shape, but don’t expect any major infrastructure renewal any time soon.
That was the overarching message of Mayor Bob Maloney’s state of the city address at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon February 12.
I think the overview highlights that things are going pretty well in Yorkton,” he said.
“When we look at retail development in the city, I think a lot of good things are happening in the city, we’re seeing redevelopment by local businesses and that’s always a good indicator when you’ve got local business that’s willing to reinvest it tells you that things are going pretty well in your community.”
It terms of development in 2014 Maloney noted the progress of York Station at the corner of Broadway and Hwy 9, the opening of the Holiday Inn Express, expansion at Richardson’s, the entry of SportChek and Atmosphere stores, the new snow dump off York Road and the Trades and Technology Centre set to open in September.
He also mentioned some upcoming projects including expansion of Harvest Meats, a 150 rail car expansion and tanker car wash facility at Louis Dreyfus, Maple Farm Equipment’s relocation and expansion and the Home Hardware build downtown.
Of course, when city politicians talk, infrastructure is always top of mind. The big ticket ask is the $52 million Broadway redevelopment. Maloney said it cannot be done without federal money and told attendees at the lunch not to hold their breath.
“That project has been forwarded through the Build Canada Plan, it goes to the Province of Saskatchewan where they do the vetting then they will make recommendations to Build Canada. But again, that plan is a 52 million dollar plan for the city of Yorkton and with $44 million being available for the Province this year I don’t see that project going anywhere quickly. We may see more money being rolled out in 2016 and 2017 and I’m maybe more optimistic perhaps for a 2017 start date if the funding is available.”
He said if the funding is not forthcoming, Council will not be burdening city ratepayers, that they will simply patch things in that corridor as needed.
The mayor could not confirm any of the rumours circulating about Save On Foods, Visions Electronics and Cineplex coming to town.
“I can tell you honestly that I don’t know about any of those three,“ Maloney said. “I’ve heard the same things you have about Save On Foods, but until the company makes an announcement… It’s much like Roundhouse Developments (the undeveloped commercial area behind the Tourism office on Hwy 9), we have people looking, people are kicking tires, but whether they’re going to start writing cheques is another situation, so it would be premature at this point.”
The mayor thinks it is only a matter of time, though.
“That’s how the area around Parkland Mall worked. Once Walmart moved in, a lot of other businesses followed them and that seems to be the formula. It’s like dominoes, you get one in and more come. I firmly believe the investment the City made in that will come to pass. I think that money will be well spent, but it’s a matter of when.”
