By Geoff Smith

UPDATE: Canada Post leaving old building for good

Feb 16, 2016 | 10:44 AM

For sale: one century-old post office. Includes clock tower. Currently occupied by bats.

Canada Post says it will at some point try to sell the old Battleford Post Office at 191 22 St. While it was a bat infestation last fall that forced the Crown corporation into temporary quarters, a spokesperson says there are other factors.

“It’s really too big for us, it requires some maintenance, and when it comes to the needs of the community we’ve come to the conclusion that we needed to find a new permanent location,” Canada Post’s communications manager Mouktar Abdillahi said.

Battleford mayor Derek Mahon has said in the past it’s a building of value to the community. Abdillahi said Canada Post understands those concerns.

“We’ve made every effort to maintain postal services at the old post office building,” he said. “But we only require a portion of it, and with limited resources, we had to focus on making modifications to the building that are designed to make the area required for our operations functional.

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“But in terms of the long-term viability, in terms of providing service in the long term, we simply needed to move to a new location in Battleford more suited (to) the requirements of the community.”

Abdillahi wouldn’t speculate on whether that might mean a new building or leasing existing space. He explained the process has just started. He also said that process is the priority right now, as opposed to the sale of the old building.

When asked what would become of the old building if it cannot be sold, he wouldn’t speculate.

“I think it’s something that, once the process begins, we will have a better understanding of the demand,” he said. He couldn’t say how long it might take.

Battleford’s post office provides box service to residents. The town does not have door-to-door mail delivery.

gsmith@jpbg.ca
Twitter: @smithco