The decorative lights of the North Battleford Water Tower shimmer in the night sky. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Budgeted project

North Battleford Water Tower lights to keep on shining

Feb 1, 2022 | 8:10 AM

The City of North Battleford continued its commitment to ensure the decorative lights on the Water Tower stay on.

Yvonne Nyholt, a local resident who helped organize a fundraiser in 2008 to replace the lights at that time, gave a presentation to council recently, after seeing there were concerns about the cost for the project needed now. The lights were first installed in 1988 as part of a 75th anniversary project.

“Let’s not let this icon go dark again, our jewel of the North,” Nyholt said. “Not only is it a great tourist site, but it is a beacon of hope and joy to all of us.”

The city allocated up to $200,000 in its 2022 budget for replacing the lights, among its priorities for this year.

Director of Operations Stewart Schafer said the city already contacted lighting firm LED World based in Calgary, which was also involved in the project in the past. He said the city also discussed the project with engineering company AECOM that mentioned a willingness to participate in the initiative as a donation to the city.

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Mayor David Gillan reassured Nyholt the lights would not go out.

“The city is committed to this project,” he said. “We’re going to find the best solution, and we are going to try to spend as little as possible to get the best solution. That’s what we do on every project.”

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

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