Strong activity in the commercial sector was a common theme heard at this year’s annual State of the City/State of the Town address, hosted by Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
Both Derek Mahon, mayor of Battleford, and Councillor Cathy Richardson, speaking on behalf of Mayor Ian Hamilton of North Battleford, pointed to booming construction activity in both communities in their address towards the noon-hour audience Tuesday at the Western Development Museum. The event was attended by several councillors and administrative officials from both sides of the river.
Mayor Mahon described a record year in permits in Battleford in 2014, totaling almost $26 million, surpassing the previous high by over $10 million. Mahon mentioned “LMG Manufacturing, Battleford West Place, Discovery Co-op Gas Bar and Carwash, Razorback Trucking, Smoking Gun Oilfield, Battleford Furniture,” and a host of other businesses with building permits in 2014.
He pointed to the new Kramer Ltd. investment in land development and acknowledged the recent sale of Kramer Ltd. to Vancouver-based Finning International Inc. “We look forward to a positive relationship with Finning as we move forward.”
Mahon also acknowledged some of the changes happening at Town Hall in 2015 with some long-time staffers retiring or planning to retire.
“The past year has been a very exciting year and eventful year in the town of Battleford,” Mahon said.
“As we enter our 111th year, we look forward to many positive developments and agreements, successful negotiations, and adding to our history to the great town.”
Councillor Richardson acknowledged the absence of Mayor Ian Hamilton, noting the mayor “had a pressing engagement in the operating room at BUH. I will do my best to deliver his message to you.”
She, too, pointed to booming economic times in North Battleford.
Richardson referred to the “record-setting dollar value of building permits issued in 2014, a result of investor confidence in the city and area economy.”
She described continued investor confidence including condo development in Kildeer and Fairview Heights, the $1.2 million cold storage building expansion at the Co-op, the sod-turning the day before on a 49-lot new North Kildeer subdivision and the eight-bay strip mall development on 114th Street.
She spoke about the recent reorganization of departments at City Hall, in-house engineering services and the new central booking and central reception services.
She described the “pro-active, community-based safety plan” brought in by the city, including the implementation of the Community Safety Officer program. And there was mention of the budget and its major initiative towards addressing undergrounds and streets.
Richardson concluded her remarks by thanking Mayor Ian Hamilton and wishing "him the best in his journey back to health.”
