Mayor's State of the City Address: Positioning for Growth

Prince Albert, SK - Mayor Greg Dionne addressed 360 members of the business community during the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce annual State of the City Address on Thursday, January 26, 2023. This year the emerging theme is positioning for growth as we see significant investments in Prince Albert by the City, Province, businesses, and other community partners in the next few years.

"The Prince Albert region's current economy is a good predictor of where we will grow in the future. We are estimating the building permit dollar amount for 2023 at roughly $600M," said Mayor Greg Dionne. "The Yard site, adjacent to our new Aquatic and Arenas Recreation Project, is now 70% sold. That's a ‘wow’ and ‘congratulations’ to the local developers."

In his speech, Mayor Dionne highlighted the following 2022 investments:

• In 2022 the City purchased the #12 Fire Truck, which will improve the safety factor at fires immensely. Council has also approved the purchase of a second truck to be delivered in 2025. Council has approved three additional firefighters, meaning the City will now have two fully staffed fire engines 24/7, 365 days a year.  
• Over the last ten years, we have spent roughly $46M on the asphalt paving program, resulting in 556 blocks being repaved within City limits. 
• The Raw Water Pumphouse was completed in 2022 with an investment of $18.9M, partnering with the Federal Government, which contributed $10.25M.
• In 2022 we installed three new pedestrian bridges at Little Red River Park at a cost of $1.81M.
• The Rotary Adventure Park is under construction at Little Red River Park. This project is in partnership with the Rotary Club, Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation, and the City of Prince Albert. 
• A new Crescent Heights Spray Park is located at Tom Settee Park adjacent to the Crescent Heights Community Club. The Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation contributed $230,000, and the City of Prince Albert $120,000.
• A new Party City Outdoor Gym is located at the Alfred Jenkins Field House. The Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation contributed $300,000, and the City of Prince Albert $554,000. 
• James Isbister Park Improvements - Park is located adjacent to Westview School. The Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation contributed $200,000, and the City of Prince Albert $100,000.

Exciting events coming to Prince Albert in the next few years that Mayor Dionne talked about:

• The 2023 Senator's Cup Hockey Tournament at the Art Hauser Centre on April 15 – 17, 2023
• Prince Albert Northern Bears will host the 2023 Esso Cup National Female U18 AAA Hockey Championship on April 23– 29, 2023, at the Art Hauser Centre. 
• The City of Prince Albert will serve as host for the 2024 WBSC Men's Americas Qualifier and, as well, the 2025 Men's World Cup. Learn more details about these events here: https://www.citypa.ca/en/news/prince-albert-to-host-wbsc-men-s-softball-world-cup-in-2024-and-2025.aspx

The Mayor pointed out that with all the current and future developments coming to Prince Albert, the City is positioning for growth. Planning and Development Services are estimating the building permit dollar amounts for 2023 at roughly $600M:

• The First Nations University is planning to build a campus in Prince Albert on a 5-acre site near the Alfred Jenkins Field House.
• We continue working with the French Community on building a new French school and cultural centre in Prince Albert.
• The Premier has announced that construction for the new tower at the Victoria Hospital will start construction this spring, 2023.
• We have two large property owners, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, which are looking to build facilities in the healthcare field close to the hospital.
• The City will also see the construction of 180 new rental units in the West Hill area to service the new hospital and other facilities.
• The Hotel development in The Yard is well under construction and will be followed by a flurry of other activity this spring when all the other properties sold will start building. 

The Mayor emphasized that the key component to spark commercial development in the southeast corner of the City is the New Aquatic and Arenas Project.

Our future new Arena and Aquatics Recreation Centre is located on 25 acres of serviced land Southeast of the Marquis and 6th Avenue East Intersection. It will be part of The Yard, an 80-acre development by locally owned Signature Development Corporation. The Yard is now 70% sold. The New Aquatic and Arenas Project is currently 11% complete. 

On the Aquatics side, features will include: An eight-lane, 25-meter competitive pool, 200 spectator seats, combined leisure, splash and wave pool, lazy river, two water slides and a whirlpool. 

On the Arenas side, features will include: 2 NHL size 200ft x 85ft rinks, with ice all year round, seating for 366 in one rink and 608 in the other rink, player dressing rooms totalling 6,720 square feet,  referee dressing rooms totalling 800 square feet.

"City Council will continue to ensure adequate funding for the services and infrastructure our residents expect. We will take on challenges and try to find solutions to continue to move our City forward. We have a lot to look forward to as we position ourselves for growth!" Says Mayor Dionne  

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For more media inquiries, please contact:

Mayor Greg Dionne

Phone: (306) 953-4300