State of downtown construction comes up at council

The state of the downtown construction work in North Battleford was a topic at council Monday night.

Councillors were responding to the growing number of Facebook comments and reports about discontent with the pace of the construction work happening on 100th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues.

The News-Optimist has received calls in recent weeks voicing concern over the length of time it has taken for the downtown work, with outrage expressed about the impact to businesses in the core.

Councillor Greg Lightfoot raised the issue at council Monday, citing “some discussion and comments in the paper and on Facebook with regards to the work downtown.” He wanted an update on progress and when it would be finished.

Administration officials responded, however, by accentuating the positive, reiterating all the work is expected to be completed by Oct. 6.

Director of planning and development Jennifer Niesink said the asphalt was still to go in as well as the brick for the crosswalks. On 12th Avenue, work on curbing was happening this week, and the sidewalks and roadways are still to be put in.

Weather permitting, “we are good for Oct. 6 as the deadline,” said Niesink.

Councillor Lightfoot indicated his pleasure at seeing the new sidewalk, trees and bike standards that had been put up downtown. Mayor Ryan Bater also commented on the work that was completed on the sidewalks, saying “that sidewalk is such a pleasure to walk on now.”

Bater also responded to the public comments, saying “we recognize it’s been challenging for lot of businesses downtown.”

“Unfortunately, in Saskatchewan we have a single construction season,” said Bater. “It is very short, and there’s a lot of work that had to be done. Unfortunately, July and August is the time it has to happen.”

City manager Puffalt also thanked the downtown businesses during the construction period.

“We know how hard it is on them to try and function through this time, and so we thank you for your patience” he said.

“We know it’s really hard and we apologize, but as you said, there’s no other way we can get around getting that street updated.”