The Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre, after the fire started last April. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Year in Review: Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre burns to the ground

Dec 28, 2022 | 10:00 AM

As 2022 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

A fire that broke the heart of the community and the resulting court case attracted a lot of attention in the past nine months.

On the morning of April 15, the Prince Albert Fire Department was called to the Senator Allen Bird building, and at least two trucks were observed hosing water on the roof on the south side of the building.

Despite all efforts the building which was used to host a number of events such as assemblies, round dances, and the fine arts festival, was a total loss. The building was also rented out to other local community groups for usage.

(Derek Craddock/ paNOW Staff)

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

17h ago

health care

La Loche recipient of new portable blood analyzer, printer kit

19h ago

Crime

Dangerous driving report at Red Wing, leads to arrest of man with gun

22h ago

The day prior to the fire, Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) used the centre to distribute 1,500 Easter hampers to families in need.

Moving forward, PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte indicated he wants to see the structure rebuilt, but acknowledged the cost to do so will be high. Just the cost of clearing the site alone was about half a million dollars.

Meanwhile the woman accused of setting the fire, 24-year-old Gina Pearl Beatty, was arrested the same day, and at her first court appearance, was overheard taking responsibility. But her mother later told paNOW her daughter was in no position to talk.

“She was absolutely and utterly out of it. She had completely spiraled out of control and meth and fentanyl were found in her bloodstream,” the mother explained.

A picture taken in June of Gina Pearl Beatty leaving provincial court. She was arrested less than a month later for breaching her bail conditions. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Beatty has since entered a not guilty plea and is scheduled to face trial on Jan. 26 at Prince Albert Provincial Court. Beatty’s mother said she was not surprised by her daughter’s plea.

“There’s too many holes in the timeline of the whole situation,” she said.

In addition to the arson charge, Beatty also faces one count of assault for an unrelated incident that happened the same morning as the fire.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell