(File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Town Hall Reno

Renovations to Battleford Town Hall office space approved for $100K

Mar 18, 2025 | 4:17 PM

Battleford Town Hall is getting a facelift.

The council voted four to two in favour of a renovation project that will refresh and revitalize the office space.

“There’ll be some realignment of the workstations to give a little bit more flow ability and a little bit more egress, which kind of meets that safety piece of people being able to get in and out of that work area,” said Mayor Ames Leslie.

“We’ll revamp the reception area – technically today we’re not compliant to people with special needs with our counter – so this will add an addition of being compliant to that.”

The renovation would also include flooring and updating a break room area and security enhancements.

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“There’s going to be a little bit of investment to make the space for our employees to get away from their desks to go and have lunch or just to have coffee together and not be stuck in their work modules,” he said.

“That will also address some of that health environment.”

The Town Hall Office Renovation RFP project has a budget of $100,000 and the contract has been awarded to CandorBuild Construction Corporation for $96,240 – as $3,760 will go towards a Hazardous Material Assessment.

During the council meeting Monday night, concerns were raised by councillors as to whether they should approve the project.

“I don’t support this renovation at this time,” said Councillor Judy Pruden.

“We had put the money aside a couple of years ago with, I believe the intent at that time was to put towards the basement that needed some work.”

Councillor Doug Laing said he was on the fence and while he agreed with Pruden, improvements needed to be done.

Councillor Shelley Boutin-Gervais also voted against it as she didn’t believe they were getting value out of the recommendation while Councillor Kevin Russell said he was “torn.”

He explained there’s work that needs to be done as it was his ninth year sitting on council and thus remembers talking about needing the renovations years earlier.

“Nothing ever got done, even with putting the money aside…but I mean, I don’t have to work in this environment either,” he said.

“I don’t know – if it’s going to create a better work environment to do it – great, awesome.”

Leslie added that the only area in the building currently in use is the office space.

“I do work here quite a bit most days, and the layout is not conducive to a professional setting for some of our residents to come in and try and conduct business,” he said.

According to the report, the successful company was the sole bidder and has “significant expertise in office renovations” and said the project meets the goals of Council’s Strategic Plan through “Enhancing Organizational Effectiveness,” “Fiscal Responsibility” and “Commitment to Good Governance” – the latter through the upgrading of security measures.

Still, there was concern around the table.

“Like I said, I’m torn but we did budget the money, and the money is there for the administration to spend,” said Russell.

Leslie said should they approve it, he requested that next year’s budget includes a plan for the basement.

“I know years ago…there was a discussion about moving these chambers to the basement right, and building a mayor’s office down there as well and then this could free up this space for a little bit better layout for the overall upstairs,” he said, referring to the space that was once home to an opera house.

“I think this is a long-term gain and it’s in the budget.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social.