Prince Albert's Alfred Jenkins Field House opened its doors in 2010. We are expecting to see more info on a new $60 million recreation complex in 2020. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Glenn Hicks

ten years on

The end of a decade in Prince Albert: 2010 to now

Dec 30, 2019 | 4:42 PM

One of the biggest movies of all time, Avatar, was drawing crowds and later that year Adele’s Rolling In The Deep was all over adult contemporary radio. Canadian forces were playing a key role in diminishing the Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan, and Justin Trudeau held the role of Liberal party critic for youth, citizenship, and immigration. It was 2010.

And as we say goodbye to the decade here in Prince Albert there are some recurring dark themes but also hopes for the future as we look towards the 2020s.

Taxi driver safety

Among the biggest stories of 2010 as listed by the Prince Albert Daily Herald’s review of December of that year, was the brutal machete attack by a 15-year-old youth on a taxi driver. His injuries required 175 stitches and he also had several broken teeth. The teen attacker received six months in custody as well as six months in open custody and supervision.

Taxi driver safety remains an issue.(Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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Ten years on and taxi drivers in the city are still concerned about their personal security. As Prince Albert police continue their investigation into a string of recent taxi robberies, some cab drivers in the city say they feel unsafe. They are also unhappy they have not been shown an image of someone wanted in connection with at least one of the incidents.

Talk about the weather

The biggest story of 2010, according to the P.A. Herald, was the storm and plough wind that ripped through the city in July of that year, damaging trees, trailers and some buildings.

2019 was cold after a brutal winter and underwhelming summer. (Ron Quaroni/paNOW Staff)

The decade ended with much talk about the weather – a cold year in general – although nothing as destructive as that 2010 event.

Pulp mill’s future

Discussion about the fate of Prince Albert’s pulp mill seems to go on and on and rumours about the shuttered facility factored into the third biggest story of 2010.

The Paper Excellence pulp mill in P.A. Another decade starts without any certainty about its future. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

The Herald reported owners Paper Excellence were hoping to see engineers in the mill by the January and open in 2011. Ten years on and the mill remains dormant.

Recreational milestones

On the recreation front 2010 was a special year with the opening of a very special place. The Alfred Jenkins Field House opened its doors and has provided extraordinary sporting activity for the community for a solid 10 years.

As we move into 2020 there is hope the first meaningful steps towards a new $60 million recreation centre will be taken. Forty-four million dollars in federal and provincial funding has been secured and Mayor Greg Dionne said the public could expect more information, including the location in the first quarter of the year.

And while we’re talking sports and recreation, it’s funny how history repeats itself. At the end of 2010, the Prince Albert Raiders were 1-5 in games against the Saskatoon Blades. As we turn the calendar on this 2019-2020 season, the Raiders once again have just one win in six meetings with their rivals to the South. But then again the Raiders are the WHL champions. The Blades have never claimed that title. Roll on 2020.

With thanks to Bill Smiley Archives/P.A.Historical Society/P.A.Daily Herald.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow