Don’t expect to see a study done anytime soon on potential benefits of amalgamating Battleford and North Battleford.
Both Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford and Mayor Ryan Bater of North Battleford closed the door on any amalgamation talk during the state of the City/Town address hosted by the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce May 8.
“There is absolutely no conversation to be had,” said Leslie to reporters following the address.
The issue has come up before at past City/Town addresses. Two years ago, Mayor Ian Hamilton expressed support for a study to look into potential benefits of joining the two communities.
At Tuesday’s event at the Western Development Museum, an audience member asked the mayors if they had looked into the benefits of a feasibility study.
Mayor Ryan Bater responded “the short answer is, ‘no.’”
Bater did say the City was “open to investigating any efficiencies possible with any of our neighbours,” something Leslie also expressed support for.
But Bater acknowledged Battleford had no interest in pursuing amalgamation.
“The direction from the town has been pretty clear, that they are not open or at least haven’t been open to support amalgamation. We respect that as a good neighbour we don’t want to be stubborn about it,” said Bater.
In his response, Leslie made clear his council in Battleford would not pursue any amalgamation discussion this term.
“It is not a question that will even be brought up,” said Leslie.
