The year 2014 has been an exciting and eventful one in the town of Battleford. The 110th anniversary year has brought many positive developments, agreements, successful negotiations and many memories including the unveiling of the largest baseball bat in Canada.
We must acknowledge the significant investment of the many corporations, shareholders, businesses and individuals who achieved the highest ever building permit level in the town totalling $25,796,290. This amount surpassed the previous 2010 high value by $10,410,000. LMG Manufacturing, Battleford West Place, Co-op convenience store gas bar and car wash, Razorback Trucking, Smoking Guns Oilfield, Battleford Furniture Warehouse facility, Foulston Truck Storage and 26 new homes and numerous renovations contributed to the 65 building permits making up the total.
Kramer Ltd. continues to invest in commercial land development surrounding their dealership on Yellowhead Alley and Kramer Crossing. Battle West Properties, Battleford Town Square and Riverbend Properties are marketing large pieces of land to interested parties. The town-owned Battle Springs subdivision continues to develop and a number of families have chosen this area as their home.
Pre-design work is ongoing for the Kramer Campground shower and washroom facility, Battleford Arena expansion, industrial area expansion, the next phase of Battle Springs subdivision and the Town Hall Opera House. Detailed design is underway for upgrades to the highway commercial sewage pumping station near the co-op property.
In 2014, the final stage of the well development project under the previous Build Canada infrastructure program was completed. The Town Hall front steps were redone and the boiler system is currently being replaced. Local improvement cost-sharing paving projects were completed on a number of Riverbend area streets and also on 18th street east. A number of sidewalks were replaced throughout the town, with the replacement project expected to continue in 2015. Concrete rehabilitation work on the old bridge support structures was completed under a cost sharing partnership with the Battlefords River Valley Authority. Capital purchases have seen the arrival of a new Zamboni for the arena and will see the delivery of a new garbage truck and fire pumper in early 2015.
On behalf of the members of council, we would like to acknowledge the hard work of all the Town staff led by Sheryl Ballendine and the senior management team including Verdean Studney, Noreen Hoffart, Randy Redding and Kevin Chaykowski. Fire Chief Larry Gabruch, Geoff Thompson and all the volunteer firefighters along with members of the RCMP led by Inspector John Sutherland keep our community safe and make it a great place to call home.
I would like to thank the members of council, Shelley Boutin-Gervais, David George, Doug Laing, Ames Leslie, Susan McLean Tady and Gordon Yarde for their guidance, wisdom, experience and dedication to the town of Battleford.
Thank you to all the residents for the support during 2014. We all look forward to the continued growth and to a strong and vibrant Battleford in 2015.
Enjoy the holiday season, be safe and I wish you a Happy New Year and all the best in 2015.
Sincerely,
Mayor Derek Mahon
Town of Battleford
