Construction is underway on Biggar’s Main Street as part of the Brownlee Square revitalization project. (Brian Fick/Facebook)

By battlefordsNOW staff

NEW DEVELOPMENT

Biggar’s multimillion-dollar Brownlee Square set for spring 2026 completion

Aug 28, 2025 | 4:59 PM

The Town of Biggar is moving ahead with a major revitalization project that will see new gathering spaces, a farmers’ market pavilion and a replica railway station built on Main Street.

Known as Brownlee Square, the multimillion-dollar effort honours Wayne and Ina-Lou Brownlee, who grew up in Biggar and pledged millions of dollars toward the project. The square is expected to be fully completed by next spring.

In 2021, the couple joined town officials and business leaders to launch a $5M revitalization campaign for the town of Biggar. Through the Brownlee Family Foundation, they matched any proceeds for the project up to $2.5-million to renovate and reinvigorate the town’s downtown business area.

Wanye, who left Nutrien in 2018 as a top executive after a 40-year career working in the mining industry, has transitioned into a career of philanthropy. The Brownlee Family Foundation pledged a $10-million donation to a Saskatoon literacy program among other causes.

“They came to town and they wanted to sponsor something to pay homage to their hometown,” Mayor Jim Rickwood said.

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Wayne Brownlee. (photo/650 CKOM)

(Town of Biggar/Facebook)

The project has already transformed the downtown with new sidewalks, trees and benches. The next phase will focus on a north-end gateway and a redevelopment of the former CN station grounds.

“There’s going to be a big banner over Main Street and it’s gonna look really great once you go to the corner of 8th (avenue) and Main. It is where the magic really pops out,” Rickwood said.

Construction on the railway park is expected to wrap up by June 2026. An annual Town and Country Fair Days event will be held on June 13 as a way to celebrate.

“We’ll be having our parade. We’ll be having a big celebration, Biggar will be the place to be that weekend.”

The cost of the railway park is pegged at about $3-million. Rickwood said the project won’t raise taxes, noting a fundraising committee helped raise millions alongside donations.

“This hasn’t increased our tax base at all. This project is all donated money.”

(Brian Fick/Facebook)

(Brian Fick/Facebook)

Biggar is also seeing other growth alongside the park. A 24-unit condo complex is slated for Main Street, potentially starting this fall. Another project underway is Farm in the Dell, a 10-bed group home for adults with intellectual challenges, which is expected to open next spring.

“It’s the second one in Canada. The other one is at Aberdeen, Saskatchewan. We’re very excited. That should be up and running in spring of 2026.”

The mayor said it marks a major turnaround for the community.

“Our town was stagnant for a lot of years… there was nothing going on,” he said.

“[Now], we’ve had new homes going up. We have a 24-unit condo complex going up on our main street, starting as potentially as early as this fall. And we’ve explored the options of a new recreation center.”

“We have lost no businesses since COVID-19 hit us, and we have gained businesses. We’re very fortunate. We’re in the process of looking at a new subdivision for town.”

Rickwood credits the Brownlee family for sparking the revival.

“We are so very thankful to them for getting things going and wanting to make their hometown look good.”

-With files from 650CKOM

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com