NORTH BATTLEFORD — The former Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority liquor store in North Battleford on 101st street will now serve as an expansion for North Battleford's RCMP Detachment, according to the Government of Saskatchewan.
The Premier of Saskatchewan, Scott Moe, announced the plan outside the building on Thursday, Sept. 28, with several ministers, MLA's, and city and town councillors present.
"Today we have a very special announcement about the future of the building we see behind myself ... a building we've seen for many years in this community," Moe said.
He noted that the building was a former SLGA liquor store, and the announcement comes several months after SLGA liquor license auctions began and ended in February, totalling over $45 million.
"When the RCMP reached out to the government with the need for more space we were absolutely thrilled to respond to that call ... Through that conversation, we were able to make this building part of their new home and I think it exemplifies the government commitment to protecting Saskatchewan's communities."
The Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement (SBP) and the RCMP will negotiate a multi-year lease that will enable the RCMP to expand its Battlefords detachment into the former store located at 1001 -101st Street. Inspector Jesse Gilbert of the North Battleford detachment noted that it will take a few months before the building is utilized as renovations are completed.
"Expanding into this new building is great news for the RCMP in North Battleford," Gilbert said in a recent press release from the government.
"It'll allow us room to host our Crime Reduction Team - which has been integral in assisting our Detachment in battling some of the gang and violence issues in the area. We'll now also be a central hub for training - officers and employees from the north won't have to travel as far for courses - helping to ensure we're being the most effective and efficient policing service that we can be."
SLGA owned 19 of its 34 store properties. The North Battleford location was one of four buildings which were identified to be repurposed for other government organizations. The government has noted that buildings currently for sale are listed on slga.com.
"The City of North Battleford is extremely pleased that the RCMP will be expanding its presence in the Battlefords region with the opening of a regional RCMP training hub," North Battleford Mayor David Gillan said.
"We see very significant economic benefits for the city and the region through additional permanent RCMP staffing and continuous visiting officers attending training in this new training facility. We also want to thank the province for partnering with the RCMP to make this expansion possible, along with the previously announced second Crime Reduction Team to be located in the Battlefords region."
