Mayor Greg Dionne at the State of the City Address on Feb. 1, 2024. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

STATE OF THE CITY

Dionne announces re-election bid and construction boom during State of the City address

Feb 1, 2024 | 5:00 PM

With many projects in the works for the City of Prince Albert, Mayor Greg Dionne said he wants to see them to completion, which is why his name will be on the ballot this fall.

Mayor Dionne officially announced his plans to run for re-election during his annual State of the City Address at the Ches Leach Lounge on Thursday.

Noting projects like the Victoria Hospital expansion, the Yard District, a new Events Centre, and the potential for growth in the forestry sector, Dionne said it didn’t seem right to leave the mayor’s chair just yet.

After his address, Dionne said many of his supporters called on him to run again.

“They said, ‘You should be cutting the ribbons for some of these projects because you’ve given up lots of sleepless nights trying to get some of these deals done. And so that’s what convinced me.”

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Dionne was first elected in 2012 and will be seeking his fourth term in office on Nov. 13.

The re-election announcement was one of several topics Dionne discussed at the State of the City address which highlighted some of the biggest moments from 2023 and what lies ahead for Prince Albert.

Some of those topics from the speech included what’s happening with the city’s police force and its strategic plan for the next couple of years.

Dionne praised Chief Patrick Nogier, who officially took on the top job last fall, for his hard work since arriving in P.A. from Saskatoon. Among the big sticking points for the police in this coming year is addressing the sharp rise in vehicle thefts and drivers fleeing from police, which both Nogier and Dionne said puts residents and officers at risk.

The record number of calls for Prince Albert Firefighters was also brought up as was the record number of users for public transit.

Homelessness was also mentioned and while there is still no official plan for a permanent shelter for the city’s homeless, Dionne acknowledged the work being done to address the issue by the city, the province, and the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).

The city’s future in recreation was also talked about with Dionne brimming with excitement when talking about the 2024 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Group Stage and the 2025 World Cup Final which will be played in Prince Albert.

He also took a few minutes to address an item included in the 2024 city budget, that non-residents will have to pay a $150 fee to use indoor facilities in the city and $75 for outdoor facilities.

While this has upset some people in rural municipalities wanting to use Prince Albert’s rec facilities, Dionne said it’s not asking much given that city residents are paying their fair share in taxes to support these buildings. He believes $150 is not that much given the state-of-the-art nature of the upcoming events centre and recreation complex.

That complex is being built in the Yard District which already has a 120-unit Holiday Inn and will soon house a restaurant, fast food chains, car dealerships, a grocery store, and an office complex.

Once again, Dionne reiterated that he is 100 per cent on board with the Yard District and the economic boom it’s expected to bring to the city. He noted the tax revenues that will come from the business will help pay for the massive cost of the project.

Dionne said he has heard concerns from residents regarding the project’s price tag and whether it’s something the city needs given the issues surrounding mental health, addictions, and homelessness. He said though, that many of those concerns have been alleviated no that the structures are taking form and people can see the potential starting to grow.

“I believe people didn’t understand the complex of the project. I think that was the problem. Now, they see that building going up. Boy, they love it. They’re talking about it.”

Aside from the Yard District, Dionne also touched on other construction projects that are either ongoing or in the works. This included the new P.A. campus for the First Nations University, the new community hub for the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan, and a new Francophone school.

Earlier in the day, it was announced that PCL Construction was awarded the design-build agreement for the Victoria Hospital expansion project, valued at $898 million, which Dionne also mentioned in his address.

Dionne had just two words to summarize all that construction and the opportunities it would bring.

“Amazing, breathtaking. The City of P.A. has always been on the edge of economic development and now we’re getting that push.”

Dionne wants residents to move forward, and not dwell on the negatives and instead look at the positive things happening in the city in 2024 and beyond.

“There’s lots of negatives out there, but let’s not live on the negatives. Let’s be positive movers.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com