The long process to replace the North Battleford Civic Centre is now under way.
Monday at council, the mandate of the Civic Centre Replacement Committee was approved unanimously.
The mandate contemplates the formation of a committee who will have the power to determine the features, functions and design of a new facility.
The plan is for a preliminary phase, with a final report to be forwarded to the various organizations for comment and review. The committee would then meet again to review the comments and make further changes if needed.
Afterwards the City would consult with each organization to discuss the visioning stage proceeding to an initial design stage.
The current Civic Centre was constructed in 1961. A capital program for repairs to take place there was approved last year that would allow the building to continue to operate for another 10 to 15 years, enough time for the City to begin planning a replacement.
The committee would include a wide range of representation. It would include representatives from the City, the Town of Battleford, the RMs of North Battleford and Battle River, BTC, BATC, the Battlefords North Stars, Battlefords Minor Hockey, Battlefords Skating Club, North West Hockey Development, two members at large, the city manager, director of leisure services, facilities manager and executive assistant. The City’s representative would chair the committee.
While this was the representation proposed for the committee, a suggestion was made by councillors that all councillors be included in the process, so the composition will likely be amended to reflect that.
City Manager Jim Puffalt suggested it should be up and running by April. The city manager also made clear decisions on funding and location were still a long way off.
He reiterated this committee would look at first steps only, such as what size of property is needed, what it could cost and to get input from the community.
"You don't do one of these very often so let's try to get it right the first time," said Puffalt.
Council welcomed the steps towards a replacement for the Civic Centre, a process expected to span over the next decade.
"It's exciting times," said Mayor Ian Hamilton, who acknowledged "getting started is one of the hardest things to do."
