A controlled burn of trees and brush is underway at the southern end of the development site. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Controlled burn underway

Clearing the way for P.A.’s new rec complex

Mar 18, 2021 | 5:05 PM

Work at the future site of Prince Albert’s new recreation complex is heating up. A weeklong controlled burn of trees and brush at the location is the latest sign of progress.

Signature Developments Corporation, the company who sold the city of P.A. 18 acres for the complex, is responsible for delivering that land fully serviced and ready to build on by Oct. 31, 2021. At the same time, the company is developing the area around it for commercial use.

Rusty Clunie, a partner with Signature Developments Corporation, told paNOW the rough grading of around 60 acres is now nearly complete. The parcel’s remaining 20 acres will be developed in the future as needed, Clunie said.

“The winter played well for us,” Clunie said, explaining work is on schedule and crews will soon start installing underground sewer, water, and storm infrastructure, beginning with the stormwater pond.

The clearing and rough grading of around 60 acres of the site is now nearly complete. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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He estimates around 10 to 12 acres of trees have been cleared and approximately 350,000 cubic metres of earth have been moved to date at the site.

“That’s probably the most dirt that’s been moved in P.A. in the last 25 years,” Clunie said, when asked to give a sense of magnitude.

Despite the number of similar projects he’s worked on, Clunie said it’s always exciting watching a site come together. It appears the public shares that sentiment.

“My guys working on-site always exclaim how many people are sitting and watching them, trying to see what we’re doing over there,” he said.

“It reminds me of when I was doing the big dig in Regina,” he continued, referring to the Regina Bypass. “We had lots of people excited and watching.”

Controlled burn

As for the controlled burn, Fire Chief Kris Olsen said the seven-day permit was issued Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Olsen said there’s no safety concerns for residents. The burn is happening at the southern end of the site.

“In the event we had southerly winds and a low-pressure system that would drop the smoke down, we could have some smoke [in the city], but that’s the extent of the concern,” he said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom