By Sarah Rae

No room for new River Valley developments after budget cuts

Jul 20, 2016 | 3:00 PM

Don’t expect to see many developments in the River Valley for a while.

The province recently eliminated all its funding for the park, so North Battleford city Councillor Ryan Bater said the town and city have to focus on maintenance, rather than making any new investments.

Bater, who’s on the Battlefords River Valley Committee, said any projects in motion before the budget was released will be completed, but new developments have been frozen until the committee prepares a plan.

“Hopefully we can still make investments in the River Valley, but at the very least we want to be able to maintain what exists,” he said.

This year’s provincial budget, announced in June, eliminated funding immediately for five of Saskatchewan’s seven urban parks.

'I hope I can win!'

8-year-old from North Battleford chosen to perform for talent scouts in Toronto

12h ago

sentencing soon

Man pleads guilty to starting Ditch 2 fire

13h ago

Local legacy

'A wealth of knowledge': New Métis exhibit at Biggar museum brings overlooked history into focus

13h ago

Bater said the cuts came as a surprise because the committee had just signed a five-year agreement with the province. Previously, half of the park’s funding came from the province and half from the town of Battleford and city of North Battleford.

The River Valley is maintained throughout the year for outdoor activities. Bater said maintenance costs include trails, washrooms, lights and more.

The committee will meet in the summer or early fall to create a new funding agreement and five year plan for spending.

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.

by Sarah Rae

No room for new River Valley developments after budget cuts

What's Trending