The City of North Battleford has decided to discontinue its efforts to attempt to acquire the old CN station building, shown, in North Battleford, mainly due to high costs. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

In the chambers

City nixes plan to acquire CN Station due to high costs

Mar 26, 2019 | 2:30 PM

North Battleford City Hall has decided to discontinue its plans to attempt to acquire the old Canadian National Railway (CN) station building after encountering a number of road blocks in the process.

City Planning and Development Director Jennifer Niesink reported at council’s meeting Monday that it’s anticipated there would be considerable high costs to take over and upgrade the site, located off Railway Avenue.

Mayor Ryan Bater reiterated Niesink’s comments following the meeting saying the price tag was a significant concern.

“There are a lot of costs associated with not just obtaining the building but also improving it to a standard where it would actually be usable,” the mayor said. “Part of the issue is that a fence needs to be constructed between the property and the rail-yard, as well as a fence that would bisect the parking lot, eliminating access to the lighted intersection at Railway (Avenue) and 101 Street.”

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The planning director said in her report the city started discussing the issue with CN in 2015, in an effort to acquire one of North Battleford’s landmarks.

The city had been looking at upgrading the building to incorporate it into its downtown revitalization plan, for what is called the King Street Station architectural district.

Niesink indicated in her report that based on initial talks, CN didn’t appear to be planning to upgrade the building, which is in disrepair, so it seemed there may be an opportunity for the city to take over the structure at some point.

The city had set aside $200,000 in its 2019 budget to acquire the building and for an initial study of the site, however, there would be a “significant amount of money” required going forward to bring the building up to a useable state, according to administration’s report.

To further complicate matters, the report also indicated it is possible the property might be contaminated. As well, while CN would permit the city to pay for environmental testing to be done, the report specified CN indicated it would need to receive the assessment results first, and CN would determine if it would provide the report to the city.

Ultimately, administration recommended the city discontinue discussions with CN on the proposed project and notify the rail company it no longer wants to acquire the building.

“Council, I believe, still wants to see the building in good condition,” said Bater following the meeting. “We will be communicating that to CN and any levels of government necessary to ensure that it does.”

The building was first built in the mid 1950s. At one time the building was used as a passenger station for rail service. In 1995 the building was designated a historic railway station under the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada’s listings.

Bater pointed out that since CN operates under federal law, the city will discuss the matter with the local Member of Parliament, as well as CN directly to indicate the city hopes and expects the building will be maintained “in adequate condition befitting of a heritage property in our city.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW