Mayor Bill Powalinsky. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Teena Monteleone

State of the City Address

Mayor committed to finding new ways to share operations and issues with the public

Feb 4, 2025 | 4:30 PM

During his ‘State of the City Address’ Mayor Bill Powalinsky focused on three priorities for the city of Prince Albert: safer community, growing city and enhanced services.

But rather than just focusing on the problems, he highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving communication and transparency from city hall, while also issuing ‘calls to action’ for residents.

“We’re committed to finding more ways to share operations and issues, and at the same time, also looking forward to hearing more from citizens,” Powalinsky told about 375 guests in the Ches Leach Lounge of the Art Hauser Centre Tuesday afternoon. The event was hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce and attracted a record crowd.

Safer Community

Last year, the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) launched a new strategic plan that includes data driven policing which Powalinsky said allows for enhanced analysis of crime and improving efficiency within the police service. He said wellness programs for officers to support mental and physical health are or will be offered, and there are plans to look for a new facility to meet the growing needs of the service. He told the crowd they can support the PAPS by registering any outward facing cameras on their homes or businesses as a way of helping the city track criminal activity.

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“And if you see something, say something,” he said, while encouraging residents to report suspicious activity.

In addition to a potential new home for city police, Powalinsky said there is also a need for two new fire halls that will help meet recommendations for urban response times.

He encouraged the public to visit the Community Safety and Well-being (CSW) page on the city’s website. It’s a division funded through a $1-million grant from the federal government that creates solutions to community problems by bringing together agencies that can address complex issues like crime, substance abuse, mental health challenges and homelessness.

Another call to action from Powalinsky was directed specifically at housing and the homeless. He asked the public to complete an online survey to help determine the best location for an emergency shelter.

Growing City

One Sky plans to begin construction on an OSB plant this year and open it in 2027, creating an estimated 800 direct and indirect jobs. The First Nations University of Canada is hoping to build a campus in Prince Albert while the University of Saskatchewan has already expanded its course offering here in recent years. The grand opening of the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre this spring is expected to attract more people to the city as well.

As a result of the growth, Powalinksy said the city is investing $2.45 million in infrastructure which includes a transport and mobility strategy. Marquis Road between Central and Fourth Avenue will be widened to allow for better access to the new leisure centre.

“It’s the biggest and most significant project for 2025 and will impact traffic for up to three months,” he said.

There will also be capital investments to playground maintenance. A $20 million ‘Play It Forward’ fundraising campaign is halfway to its goal thanks to a $10 million donation from Lake Country Co-op. Powalinsky said it’s the biggest legacy donation in the history of the city.

In September of last year, the city signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Woodland Cree First Nations, specifically the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Lac La Ronge Indian Band. The goal of the historic partnership is to bring a Convention and Cultural Event Centre in the Yard District, near the new arenas and swimming pool, to fruition. Powalinsky said later this week, the city and its First Nations partners will be in Ottawa to lobby the federal government for funding.

Enhanced Services

Powalinsky said the city is finding ways to focus efforts on improving the quality of information being given to residents. A main component of this is through data tracking.

A dashboard on the CSW page makes data available to the public on things like needle pickups, crime or the location of encampments that have been reported or broken up within the city.

A description on the page explains, “Data plays a crucial role in establishing baselines, understanding needs, allocating resources, and measuring impact. It supports open and transparent communication about complex issues. Data only tells one part of the story and that it needs to be understood within a broader context and over time.”

According to the data, 424 encampments were reported throughout the city last year.

Residents are also encouraged to report a concern, related to a bylaw or not, on the city’s website. There is also the option to call the ‘Solutions Hub’ at 306-953-4884. Powalinsky said they use a system that submits requests directly to the department supervisor’s dashboard, allowing for prompt action, tracking and reporting.

The mayor ended his address by inviting the public to a ‘Road to Reconciliation’ event taking place March 19 at the E.A Rawlinson Centre. The event features a discussion on racism, ‘honest answers and real solutions to identify a path forward.’ The event is free, but a ticket is needed to attend.

Powalinsky took office in November, after defeating Greg Dionne who had held the mayor’s chair for 12 years prior.

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com