BATTLEFORD — According to the recommendation from administration at the Town of Battleford's Jan. 23 council meeting, the town has leased the old curling rink to the Battle River Archery Club for more than a decade into the future.
“The current lease ends January 31st, 2023. The Archery Club have been good tenants over the years and have contributed to the upkeep and condition of the building,” reads the recommendation.
The club has expressed their desire to work with the town to fund renovations to the building under the condition that a multi-year lease agreement can be secured.
Plans for renovations include replacing the lobby flooring and front door and remodelling the main bathrooms to make them more modern and wheelchair accessible.
Although previous lease agreements have always been year-to-year, the agreement will last for five years, starting Feb. 1, 2023, and ending Jan. 31. 2028.
The archery club previously paid $6,000 plus GST every year, but under the new lease agreement, the club will pay the town $6,300 in 2023, with a $300 increase every year before ending at $7,500 in 2027 when the lease is finished.
Council enthusiastically supported them, with Mayor Ames Leslie saying,
“They’ve done a great job promoting archery with youth and keeping it alive in the province and community, and they're quite frankly maintaining the building better than when they got it ... we welcome them for another five years.”
