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New Battleford’s Post Office discussed at town council

Feb 14, 2017 | 9:00 AM

Canada Post made a commitment to Battleford town council Monday night that a permanent post office location would be in place no later than the end of the year.

The lack of a permanent location has been affecting the residents of Battleford since October of 2015, when the company moved out of its original building following health and safety concerns.

Canada Post’s last update on the situation was at the end of November 2016. They had posted the old building up for sale, and said they would move into a new location once it was sold.

According to Marnie Armstrong, director of municipal engagement with Canada Post, there are interested buyers, and Canada Post has once again made the promise to keep the new location downtown.

“The status of the sale is that there is interests and we are currently accessing our options. Canada Post understands the importance of keeping postal services in the downtown core and is committed to maintaining a post office in the downtown area,” Armstrong said. “We also understand that the temporary location of the post office is not ideal for the residents of Battleford, nor is it for our employees, which is why we are committed to keeping temporary location maintained and accessible.”

She said if the building doesn’t sell and there are no potential buyers by the end of spring, Canada Post will make the move to find a permanent location anyways.

“Our intention is to have  permanent home for the Battleford Post Office in place and open by the end of 2017,” she said. “Canada Post thanks the residents for their patience in this difficult time and we recognize and realize that this has been a long and drawn out process.”

Mayor Ames Leslie seemed skeptical of the promises, but was glad the ball has started to roll.

“I think we’re going to hold it to them,” Leslie said. “She didn’t necessarily put out the word guarantee, but she put out promises. Now the communication’s been opened so we can hold them accountable to their timelines of spring. Spring is a vague term. Is that May or is that June? At least the steps are going in the right direction.”

 

katherine.svenkeson@jpgb.ca

On Twitter: @ksvenkeson