The Capitol Annex Theatre officially opened in the Battlefords in March, among some of the boosts to the community and the economy in 2019. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Year of Growth

Year in Review: the Battlefords saw boom in development

Dec 27, 2019 | 3:26 PM

The Battlefords now has more places to shop, eat, sleep and watch movies.

The region saw a boom of development during the past year when downtown renewal and new business was all the buzz in the community.

In North Battleford more of Hollywood’s latest movie productions finally have a new place to visit.

After close to a year of construction, Magic Lantern Theatre’s Capitol Annex new four-screen cinema officially opened its doors at the corner of 11 Ave. and 101 St. in March. It sits across the street from the Capital Theatre’s large single-screen theatre on 100 St., so now the community has five screens to see their favourite movies.

Theatre Manager Ursula Swindler said the theatre would help bring more people downtown again.

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“We want people to park and go have something to drink and eat and come watch a movie, or go watch a movie and then go have something to eat or drink. There is a lot of opportunities here,” she said.

The city sold the land to Magic Lantern for $1 and, in accordance with its original agreement, the city was to build a 50 to 60-stall parking lot in the northwest area of the property.

It’s a wrap.

After two months of construction North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater officially reopened 100 St. to traffic in September.

The work, that included infrastructure replacement and roadway and sidewalk repair, was another step forward in the city’s Downtown Revitalization Plan.

“A walkable downtown is fundamental to a vibrant downtown and is key to pedestrian safety,” the city said in a news release.

Crews replaced a problematic 60-year-old section of a water main as well as the water and sewer service pipes to the buildings adjacent to the street.

As well, badly deteriorated sidewalks and roadway were replaced.

Previously, the downtown section of 101 St. was reconstructed and the aging underground pipes replaced when the revitalization project was initiated in 2017.

There were plenty of roars of exciting in May when North Battleford’s Giant Tiger store opened it doors downtown for the first time.

People lined up as early as 6 a.m. to be the first in the store for the grand opening.

Mayor Ryan Bater said the store would be a boon to the city’s economy and downtown development.

“It’s a great day in North Battleford,” he said. “I just know this business is going to be a great addition, not only to the entire city but especially to the downtown. I think it will serve the people who live and visit here very well.”

The mayor said the business fits in well with North Battleford’s plans for downtown revitalization and provides a strong business anchor to the downtown core.

The 15,785 sq. ft. store at the corner of 102 St. and 11 Ave. was constructed over the past year.

September paved the way for a new hotel in North Battleford. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites officially opened at the 114 St. And Pioneer Ave. intersection.

The 89-room hotel includes a pool, hot tub, meeting room, breakfast area and exercise room. All the beds in the hotel, including those in double rooms, are king-sized. The hotel also boasts a pool and hot tub.

During construction, several local workers were recruited to help with the build project, including referrals from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies’ career centre.

Just down the road, on Carlton Trail, another brand name hotel, Comfort Inn and Suites, opened its doors for the first time a year prior, as part of the continuing development in this busy section of the city close to many shops and amenities.

Across the river in Battleford the highlight of the year was the new Discovery Co-op Food Store that opened in May.

The town had been without a full grocery store since the former Super A Foods closed last year. The Co-op took over the building and completely renovated it at the site at 22 St. The shop now features a new food store and full-service pharmacy.

“I think everyone in Battleford is excited too. It’s been a long process,” store manager James Waggoner said.

The 10,500 square foot facility has about 20 staff.

Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie visited the store for the opening.

“I think the people of Battleford deserve to have a grocery store, and there is no better partner than the Co-op,” he said. “The Co-op is all about communities. We look forward to what the town, the people of the town and the Co-op can do to make our community better.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW