North Battleford City Hall agreed to take part in a new committee with the Town of Battleford to focus on the Battlefords River Valley planning and development. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Eye on the River Valley

City, town to reinstate Battlefords River Valley committee

Apr 25, 2019 | 9:12 AM

After a long absence, North Battleford and Battleford are partnering to revive the Battlefords River Valley Committee.

City Hall has agreed to participate in the committee and appointed Mayor Ryan Bater, Coun. Kelli Hawtin and Leisure Services Director Cheryl DeNeire to represent the city. On the town’s side, Mayor Ames Leslie, Coun. Doug Laing and Recreation Director Jordan Schechtel have been appointed.

“This really is establishing a new kind of organization, building on the success of the previous one,” Bater said, adding that “both municipalities have an interest in (this project), so it makes sense for us to work together.”

The Battlefords River Valley Committee used to meet regularly when it included the province as a third funding partner. However, in 2015, the province cut its funding. The committee stopped meeting on a regular basis in the following year.

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Bater said as part of the new proposal, the city and town will need to renegotiate the terms of reference in reviving the committee as a two-partner organization.

City manager Randy Patrick said the new committee will need to meet and discuss how to work together.

“The issue is that capital (work) is required along the river bank on occasion, and right now there is no way of spending that money, coordinated,” Patrick said of the need to establish a new agreement between the two municipalities.

Previously, the province covered half of the funding, while the city and town together were responsible for the remaining 50 per cent.

The city currently budgets $68,000 per year for the Battlefords River Valley, factored on a per capita basis. The town makes a smaller contribution due to its smaller population.

The city’s Leisure Services Director Cheryl DeNeire said in her report the city’s money is currently used for maintenance and some direct costs to clear the North Battleford trail twice each season, as well as for costs to replace signage, or benches, for example.

“It is an important component of our region and an active committee is integral to providing focused and wise stewardship of the valley,” she said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow