By Greg Higgins

N.B. Agriculture Society may be in jeopardy

Sep 29, 2016 | 2:00 PM

One of the oldest organizations in the city could find itself without a place to operate. 

The Battlefords Agriculture Society has been on the same lot since 1909. It leases the land from the City of North Battleford and just extended its agreement for two more years. There is a hook in the tale, however, as the lease states both parties can option out the arrangement after only six months.

Jocelyn Ritchie is the general manager of the Agriculture Society and she said the group has no plans to move but is scared it might not have a choice.

“I am very concerned about the future,” Ritchie said. “The city has zoned (the land) commercial property so if they get a buyer for it, I’m afraid we might get kicked out.”

According to Ritchie, the society applied for a 10 year lease but were denied. If the city sold the land, the society, and all the events it holds including the Territorial Days Exhibition, would have to move to another location.

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Ritchie’s biggest moving concern was the racetrack. She said a new track would take five years to complete which would affect chuckwagon racing and the demolition derby.

She felt the society was stuck because it was grandfathered onto the land. It would like to build new facilities but the city has told the organization it is not allowed.

“We live day by day out here,” Ritchie said. “We have older buildings out here. We would love to build a new facility and a new riding ring [and] storage facility, because we need one, but our hands are tied right now.”

Ritchie said the society was “trying really hard” to maintain a good relationship with the city. She hoped they would be able to work out an agreement.

“We really need to stay at the current location we’re in,” Ritchie said. “It really isn’t viable to move us at all.”

City manager Jim Puffalt said there was discussion about the site, but the society shouldn’t worry.

“It’s not an issue right now because we want to see what will happen in the near future, or if it is a long term thing,” Puffalt said. “If it came down to moving, we would help them find a new location. We would have to be fair and reasonable with everyone, of course.”

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.