Access Communications Regional Manager Martin Smith speaks to North Battleford council at its recent meeting. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

In the Chambers

City facilities to offer free WiFi provided by Access Communications

Jan 16, 2020 | 5:45 PM

Visitors to all of the City of North Battleford’s recreational facilities such as the Civic Centre as well as the Dekker Centre and City Hall will soon be able to take advantage of free WiFi.

Council approved administration’s recommendation to enter into a new five-year WiFi agreement with Access Communications for the service to be available to all users, regardless of their own service provider.

“In all city recreation facilities the public will now have free WiFi available to them,” Mayor Ryan Bater said. “That’s huge; it’s a big development, not just for the local users of those facilities but for visitors, people who organize events, for people to use their smartphones, tablet or laptop, whatever their device is, they will have free at those facilities.”

He commended Access Communications for making this significant investment in the community.

“It enhances our ability to host events; it enhances the experience for people who are users of those facilities,” the mayor said.

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Access Communications Regional Manager Martin Smith said during the meeting the company is glad to be able to partner with the city on the project.

The city previously awarded Access Communications the contract for its internet and telephone services from a November Request for Proposal, City Finance Director Steve Brown said in his report. Included in the proposal, was a provision for wireless services in city facilities. Access Communications expressed a desire to provide WiFi services for all facility users, while SaskTel’s offer was for SaskTel customers only.

Brown said the city’s goal was to provide free WiFi to all facility users to “enhance the user experience,” as part of the city’s strategic goal.

Access Communications requested to have exclusivity in each facility as well as strategic advertising with final approval by the city, in return for the WiFi service.

The organization will also provide free internet services for Twin Rivers Curling Club, and the Battleford North Stars. Internet services can also be used when needed for major events, such as Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling.

This proposal will not have any impact on the city’s budget. The estimated in-kind value of the offer is a total of $223,700 for the five-year WiFi service.

The city will announce when the WiFi service is ready to use.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow