By Sponsored content

Keep on building: a vote for more record infrastructure

Oct 5, 2016 | 11:07 AM

Under Mayor Greg Dionne’s watch, Prince Albert has seen record investment in infrastructure. With another four years in office, Dionne hopes to expand even further.

In the first four years of his tenure as mayor, 40 kilometers of road was laid down in the city and he plans on laying down another 40 for an incredible 80 kilometers of paved streets.

Renovation and repair of curbs and sidewalks will also continue, so you can comfortably walk anywhere you wish.

“It will be smooth sailing in Prince Albert from one side of the city to the other,” he says.

The remaining 1.5 kilometers of the Rotary Trail will be finished. Groups such as the Terry Fox Run and the Summit Run are already using it for their events, and once it is complete runners will be able to hit the trail for full marathons.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

9h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

12h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

16h ago

But roads aren’t his only focus. In fact, they’re just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what he’ll accomplish in a second term as mayor.

In the future, he wants to boost Prince Albert’s sports and recreation, which in turn will transform the city into the sports hub it can be.

Prime Ministers Park will receive an overhaul. By adding two more lanes to the track at Max Clunie Field and designated spaces for track and field events such as javelin, shot put and long jump, Prince Albert will have a top of the line field for every school in the city and they’ll be able to host larger track and field meets.

Existing facilities will also be revamped as Mayor Dionne focuses on meeting and conferring with members of the various community clubs in Prince Albert to finalize a 10-year facility plan.

“We need to know where our community clubs will be in 10 years and we want to help them achieve that future,” he says.

Work is already under way with community clubs to discuss the available funding for the major repairs which need to be done to help local sports and groups expand and draw more crowds to their activities.

“These facilities are important to help drive economic development in our city,” he says.

For example, in the winter when hockey season is in full swing, there isn’t a hotel in the city which isn’t putting up hockey teams for all the many tournaments being hosted in Prince Albert. With repaired facilities and added events, hotels will be even fuller, restaurants will be packed and local businesses will thrive.

Employment numbers will blossom and Prince Albert will become the major sports town of central and northern Saskatchewan.

Events like 2018 WBSC Junior Men’s World Softball Championship will become more common.

The softball tournament is bringing teams from across the world to Prince Albert for a full month, as teams arrive early to practice and play exhibition games before the full two-week tournament.

With four more years of investment into Prince Albert’s recreation and sports scene, the city will grow, thrive and achieve all of its potential.