Left to right: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways senior project manager Dwayne Rowlett, Cut Knife-Turtleford MLA Ryan Domotor, Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill, Battlefords Provincial Park Manager Angie Carver, Potzus Paving and Road Maintenance Ltd. vice-president Harley Diederichs, and Bayview Heights (on Jackfish Lake) chairperson Kurt Reiber, at a ceremony to mark the completion of road improvements in October 2022. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Making improvements

Year in Review: Battlefords MLA highlights year of progress

Dec 29, 2022 | 5:25 PM

As 2022 draws to a close, battlefordsNOW is taking a look back on some of the most important and impactful stories of the year.

Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill, the province’s Minister of Highways and Water Security Agency, said it’s been a busy year in Saskatchewan and across the Battlefords.

“We’re continuing to see very strong economic growth in Saskatchewan, some significant private sector investment, and really the fastest growing provincial economy in the country,” he told battlefordsNOW. “I think that has enabled us as a province to really show some fiscal responsibility by paying off $1 billion of provincial debt. Then, also investing in growth that works for everyone, and reinvesting in healthcare and the education systems.”

To bolster the Battlefords, in 2022 the province invested in a second crime reduction team to serve the area.

“I think that’s really important for our community to ensure that people here feel safe in their community,” Cockrill said. “People here are very proud to live in the Battlefords. And, obviously, the safer we can ensure people feel, the higher quality of life.”

JPII Renos

'Plywood Palace' no longer: JP II reopens with Moe and Cockrill

7h ago

Early Game Struggles

North Stars almost complete comeback in Kindersley

Sep 22, 2024

Honouring a neighbour

'He's smiling down at us': Wes Petterson Memorial Park opens in Weldon with special ceremony

Sep 22, 2024

Some of the other initiatives the province supported include the John Paul II Collegiate High School’s large-scale renovation project in North Battleford.

The province also committed funding to the Finlayson Island truss bridge upgrades that were underway in 2022.

“For those of us who enjoy spending time on Finlayson Island and going across the truss bridge, to not have it fully open in the last year here has been a little bit inconvenient,” Cockrill said. “But that’s because between the province, the town [Town of Battleford] and the federal government, we’ve made that joint investment to ensure that the truss bridge can be used for decades to come. It’s really a key link between North Battleford and Battleford, especially when it comes to recreational use.”

Other highlights include road improvements along some areas of Highway 4, north of the Battlefords, and in the Battlefords Provincial Park the province supported.

“The roads in the park were well overdue for some improvements. Seeing the new roadways that have been paved there in the park, it’s really exciting,” Cockrill said. “It’s going to make people using the park, whether they are local or visiting from further away, just make it a more enjoyable experience at the provincial park next year.”

Cockrill is also glad to see the expansion completed for the North West College health training lab, known as the Cenovus Energy Simulation Learning Centre at the campus in North Battleford.

He said this initiative also bodes well for young people as they look forward to pursuing a successful career in the future.

“I don’t think there has been a better time in Saskatchewan to be a Grade 10, 11, or 12 student in the province,” Cockrill said. “There are literally thousands of job opportunities in a whole wide variety of industries and locations all over the province… I’m excited to see how our province is going to continue to grow over the next number of years.”

Looking ahead, he said the province continues to focus on trying to recruit more healthcare professionals to the Battlefords and across Saskatchewan. A delegation from the province is also looking to potentially recruit healthcare workers from the Philippines.

Cockrill is feeling positive about the year ahead.

“As we look back on 2022 and look forward to 2023, whether we are in good times or bad times, we’re a government that’s going to stand up for Saskatchewan and continue investing in Saskatchewan,” he said. “I think 2022 was a good year for that. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead in 2023 here in Saskatchewan and in the Battlefords.”

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow