Mayor Ian Hamilton is looking back on a positive 2012 and forward to an exciting 2013 ahead.
In an end-of-year interview with the News-Optimist, Hamilton identified significant milestones for North Battleford over the past 12 months.
"We've had another very, very exciting year," said Hamilton. "Some things that came to fruition in 2012 were initiated in prior years and announced in prior years but I don't think we should forget them or ignore them."
Among them, he said, was the opening of Harwood Manor, the 80-room seniors' facility, "addressing a need and a demand that was not being met in the city before."
As well, Grit Industries started production in 2012, said Hamilton - utilizing an existing factory in Parsons Industrial Park that had stood vacant for some time in search of a new tenant.
According to senior management, said Hamilton, "demand for their products is very, very good." He notes the product they produce is exported internationally to the United States and the UK. "I see nothing but upwards momentum for them."
The commencement of the 94-unit Caleb Group's seniors' assisted living project is another positive. The construction is now underway next to the now-closed Kinsmen Aquatic Centre and the scale of the construction is exciting for Hamilton to see.
"There must have been cranes involved in the construction of the seniors' highrises downtown, but in recent memory I don't recall seeing a crane in North Battleford. That's pretty exciting to see," said Hamilton.
He says Caleb expects to have their doors open by October 2013. Hamilton says once again, that is a project meeting a need people wanted to see addressed. Too many seniors were having to leave the Battlefords due to the lack of such housing, noted Hamilton.
"It was very exciting that the Caleb Group identified North Battleford as a market they could serve," he said.
Obviously, a highlight for Hamilton was the opening of the CUPlex. The opening of the aquatic centre and demand for that facility has "just blossomed," said Hamilton.
He noted the strong attendance figures of between 800 to 1,000 people turning the turnstiles a day. "That demonstrates it's being used between 6:30 and 10 at night," said Hamilton, as capacity is 550.
Hamilton also said the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts not only brings quality shows but provides "quality opportunity to North Battleford arts and cultural communities."
"Just the opening gala, the first two nights of the talent showcase, was awesome, it was inspiring, and thrilling to see that kind of talent performing on that stage."
He notes there have been some quality acts coming through, such as Colin James, Tom Jackson, comedians and tribute bands.
"And they're playing to sold out audiences not all of them, of course, you can't fill the auditorium with every performance. It's the genre of people's interest, but there's great opportunities there."
Hamilton also believes the facility will be able to house more opportunities in the future such as conventions and receptions.
The curling centre, said Hamilton, is "fantastic, a welcoming place. I think it will be a go-to place." He also notes it will be a destination during the off-season, as well, as he noted the first major event there was the antique/classic car show earlier this year. Hamilton also anticipates the opening of the soon-to-be-completed field house as another positive.
As for the state of the city, construction statistics continue to be robust, with active condo construction noted by the mayor. Hamilton says the City is also looking for financing for a "pocket housing" project, which would provide transitional housing for those at risk of homelessness or unable to afford housing.
Hamilton is also able to talk about progress downtown. He pointed to the recent deal where the City was able to acquire and then sell both of the derelict properties on the corner of 11th Avenue and 102nd Street to Lloydminster owners who intend to clean up and renovate the buildings.
Those properties had "detracted from the downtown core area" and he says he is happy to see the developer will "not be destroying the existing buildings but has a plan for refurbishing them."
That helps the City save money by preventing a lot of waste from going to the waste management facility, plus it helps in "developing a new identity for downtown. I'm quite confident it will be a catalyst for downtown."
Hamilton points to three new businesses locating downtown in the last few months, showing their confidence in the core. He noted Director of Business Development Denis Lavertu has been working diligently on the downtown file.
He also commends the downtown merchants for their efforts to put in place a Business Improvement District that he expects in 2013.
The City continues to work towards addressing crime and safety issues, and Hamilton notes the crime statistics have been showing a decline this year. He says five new officers have been added to the RCMP complement and believes that has helped them address other areas such as drugs and traffic enforcement.
Hamilton looks back at 2012 as the year the community adopted the "HUB" model that had previously been successful in Prince Albert, which got started this fall. A committee chaired by City Manager Jim Toye has been meeting for the past number of weeks, along with other partners and agencies.
Hamilton also notes the City continues to work with Maple Leaf Foods on the transition after their plant closes in North Battleford in March 2013, with efforts ongoing both in finding new jobs for the workers as well as finding a replacement tenant for the facility itself.
"We have to work to identify opportunities," Hamilton said.
Hamilton is also looking forward to the opening of Northland Power's new power plant, the North Battleford Energy Centre, which will finish construction and be commissioned in 2013.
As for the new council, with the three new councillors Ryan Bater, Greg Lightfoot and Cathy Richardson joining following the civic election, Hamilton said they are already contributing in their new roles and asking good questions and bringing information to the residents on such issues as snow clearing, for example.
He called them "very enthusiastic and energetic" and says they have "had a baptism in fire" because they've had to make some critical decisions in just the first couple of months, said Hamilton. They have "hit the ground running."
Hamilton is looking forward the centennial celebrations for North Battleford, starting with the New Year's celebrations and continuing through the year. Hamilton noted several hundred tickets had already been sold for the New Year's Eve event and activities are planned throughout the year. One of them is the May 1 event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the city charter in 1913. The centennial will also be part of the July 1 Canada Day celebrations and there will be an end-of-year event as well.
"It's going to be a great year," said Hamilton. "Let's get this party started. It's going to be fun."
