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Canada Post building, anchor to the community: Battleford CAO

Feb 17, 2016 | 6:14 AM

The towering Canada Post building in Battleford is no longer going to be used by the company, leaving a major hole in downtown.

Canada Post was forced out of the building last fall due to a bat infestation and announced Tuesday they are officially leaving the building they’ve occupied since 1911. Canada Post has plans to sell the old building and open a new location in Battleford.

The Town of Battleford has been in contact with Canada Post ever since the move to the temporary location, including many inquiries from Mayor Derek Mahon, who is currently on vacation.

Chief Administrative Officer for Battleford John Enns-Wind said it’s tough to see the big downtown building not have a use, even for the time being.

“One of those guiding lights that you always know is there. It doesn’t matter where you are, you can see it. It’s a building that can’t be missed and it forms an anchor to the community and the business community,” he said.

“To see it move out of there I think is very challenging and difficult, it’s an emotional feeling that I’ve heard people talk about.”

“It’s such a huge presence here, not just because of the bricks. Just the fact that you stop in, you visit, you go get your groceries, you get your hair cut, you pick up flowers or whatever. Every community needs these anchors in their downtown,” Enns-Wind added.

There are many questions going forward in Battleford related to the future of the post office.

“The challenge for us today is how do we move forward, where’s Canada post going to relocate. Hopefully it will be downtown.” Enns-Wind said,” Another important question is how will this building be repurposed, how can it be used to take on a new chapter in its life and provide maybe a new sense of energy to the town of Battleford?”

Enns-Wind said the town doesn’t have any say in the sale of the building or where the new one will go, but he hoped Canada Post will work with the town on the plans for the new office.

 

mkelly@jpbg.ca