Workers were excavating near the ditch line outside of the Full Circle Service Centre in Northside, Christopher Lake. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By paNOW Staff

FULL CIRCLE SERVICE

Business owner frustrated after part of entrance blocked off by province

Oct 4, 2021 | 3:31 PM

A business owner north of Prince Albert is furious and worries he could be closed for good after the province blocked off one of the entrances to his restaurant and gas bar.

Early Monday morning, the Department of Highways came to the Full Circle Service Centre on Highway 2 near Christopher Lake.

Workers were closing off the south entrance to the centre because it’s been deemed a safety hazard.

That, however, is not how owner Laurie Thorsen sees it.

This is the southern access to the Full Circle Service Centre that has been deemed dangerous. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

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With the sounds of excavators and bulldozers in the background, Thorsen said he’s not happy with the provincial government and said in the decades he has owned the business he has not seen a crash in that stretch of road.

He worries closing off that entrance will hurt his business significantly.

“I figure I’m going to lose 40 to 60 per cent. I have 21 employees here and some of them are immigrants and they might even have to go back home because they’ll lose their job and it’s not my fault.”

In a statement to paNOW, the Department of Highways said all appropriate steps were taken in this case and the owner was advised the work would be taking place.

“Safety is a top priority for the Ministry of Highways and the Government of Saskatchewan. Currently, we are in year three of a five-year, $100-million Intersection Safety Strategy program.

The Full Circle Service Centre. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

As part of maintaining safe and efficient roads, the Ministry of Highways does not allow work or interference within highway right-of-ways without prior approval or permitting. Without this, there would be a significant impact on the safety of our transportation network.”

Thorsen said he has tried to reach the Premier’s office more than a dozen times with no response.

He feels that as a small business owner, he’s been treated poorly.

“It’s only me that they’re playing it. If they keep doing this to small businesses then what the hell are we doing? People need this place as much as I need it.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow