Three major projects receive approval by Prince Albert council

It will be run by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS) with the building being provided by the River Bank Development Corporation. Council needed to give the final approval before the home could legally start operating.

The teens chosen to live in the home will be boys “at risk of contact with the criminal justice system.” The JHSS noted these teens will be provided care and take part in different programming in the building and out in the community.

“There will be programming through the day, but it’s not meant to be a hub for other participants,” said Shawn Fraser, JHSS CEO, while speaking with city council.

The organization already supports between 20 and 30 other youths in the community with Fraser stating there’s a chance they might access the building for specific programs.

The building will be staffed 24/7 with nine people expected to be employed there.

Rotary Adventure Park

Little Red River Park is set to get a big upgrade.

Council approved design plans for the Rotary Club of Prince Albert’s proposed adventure park, while also awarding the project’s contract to Canadian Recreation Solutions for over $788,000.

The overall cost is estimated to be around $1.2 million with consultations continuing to happen with the city, Rotary Club, and Recreation Solutions.

The park is slated to have new playground equipment, zip line equipment, a climber, and multiple picnic tables for families to enjoy.

The updated area is geared for those between the ages of 8 and 14, however, Councillor Blake Edwards believes it could also be a lot of fun for older teens.

“Many times, I hear there’s nothing to do for teenagers, while now there is.”

As of Oct. 24, the Rotary Club has raised around 90 per cent of the funds needed for the project. Over half has come from sponsorships, while the city has also provided $280,000.

The hope is for construction to start in the spring of 2022, finishing around July.

First Nations University Campus

A five-acre piece of land along 12 Avenue and 15 Street East may soon be the home for the First Nations University of Canada’s new northern campus.

A letter of intent to buy the land for $1.4 million, $280,000 per acre, has officially been approved by city council.

The post-secondary school currently has a campus in the city’s downtown with the new space expected to help them better serve the “institution’s purpose, strategic plan, student needs, and the role of Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the University’s programming.”

It’s expected to include learning spaces and classrooms, teaching labs, a library, an audiovisual studio, an Indigenous Health Clinical Learning Space, an assembly and exhibition space, lounges, student services, an Indigenous fine art studio, childcare, Elders & Knowledge Keepers spaces, a ceremonial space, and administrative and support spaces.

“We’ve wanted to sell it for a long time and what makes me happy is we sold it now to an educational organization,” said Councillor Don Cody.

The First Nations University of Canada is hoping for federal funding to cover the costs of the project.

Back in July, they applied to Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings fund.

If approved, site preparation would be expected to start in May 2023, with the building scheduled to be finished by July 2025.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by Jaryn Vecchio

Three major projects receive approval by Prince Albert council

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