(Submitted photo/ Kara Laree Gray)

By Nigel Maxwell

Closing a chapter

Building demolition forces businesses to find new homes

Feb 19, 2025 | 5:00 PM

As one chapter closes, another is set to set to begin for the businesses that occupy a building near Prince Albert’s downtown.

In early January, Aurora Chiropractic, Massage Therapy and Health Centre, Hillside Physical Health and Fitness, and Cashco Financial, were all made aware of the property’s owners intentions to move in a different direction, demolish the existing building and make room for a new development.

Operating out of the building since September 2021, Aurora owner Kara Laree Gray confirmed her surprise by the news and added she must be out before July.

“I signed a five-year lease, with the intention to be here for the next 20 years. I wouldn’t have invested you know over a quarter of $1 million in renovating it, had I known they were gonna tear it down and I would lose everything three years later,” she said.

(Submitted photo/ Kara Laree Gray )

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Aurora is a multidisciplinary health center and runs very much like a co-operative with self-employed healthcare providers. In addition to a chiropractic and massage therapy, there’s also a child psychologist and a nurse practitioner.

A new home has already been chosen and Laree Gray confirmed plans to move to the Gateway Mall in the area between the Brick and the Christmas Store. While also noting both the mall’s general manager and the city have been very helpful with their sudden transition, Laree Gray also acknowledged the impact the news had on staff.

“I mean, obviously everybody was in shock initially, but what I told them was I’ll figure it out and I will rebuild so that I can bring everyone with me. I didn’t build Aurora to just give up on it and let it die with this,” she said.

In addition to the health related services they provide, Aurora is also well known for its community support. In addition to the fundraising they do with the two annual car shows, they also raise money to provide Christmas hampers for Riverside and John Diefenbaker schools.

“This isn’t the end of Aurora by any means and I hope to be able to continue to do the fundraising activities that I’ve always done,” she said.

Hillside Physical Health and Fitness has been operating in the city for nearly 40 years, and has been at their current location since January, 2014. Co-owner and physiotherapist Keith Zawislak confirmed they too were caught off guard.

“You know 11 years ago we basically moved down here and basically in my opinion built our dream clinic,” he said. “It’s been devastating to say the least.”

Hillside owners Keith Zawislak, Scott Ward and Anna Rybka, have decades of experience as trainers and physiotherapists. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

Like Aurora. Hillside will also be moving to a new location, however Zawislak was not quite prepared to say where.

“We believe we have something in place but of course all the I’s have to be dotted and T’s crossed before we can make any kind of announcement,” he said.

Thanking the numerous community members who have reached out to offer support, Zawislak reiterated even though they are moving to a new location, they will still offer the same service they’ve built their reputation on.

A statement on their social media page, also confirmed this commitment to the community.

“We’ll continue to support local sports teams, sponsorships, and charitable initiatives—because Prince Albert isn’t just where we work, it’s home.”

A spokesperson for Cashco confirmed that while their physical office is shutting down, they will continue to provide supports to their clients in the community by way of a digital service.

There’s been wide spread speculation on social media that a fifth McDonald’s location in the city will take over the space. Neither officials with the city, nor McDonald’s have been willing to confirm this.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social