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Battleford arena upgrades among town’s priorities for 2026 By Angela Brown SaskToday.ca
Ends August 3, 2025
Ends August 2025 Ends Jan 31,3, 2026
BATTLEFORD–Town of Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie is looking forward to 2026 as a time to get some much needed projects underway. One major project planned involves making the renovation and expansion to the Battleford arena, a $3.4 million project. The initiative will start in the spring of 2026 and is expected to take two years to complete. “That is something that the manager of Parks and Rec has focused a lot of time on, and has done some public
consultation,” Leslie said. “We’ve heard from the residents and the user groups extensively.” “So, I’m looking forward to that one to get started,” the mayor added. “Hopefully, that can come to fruition and get going in 2026.” Respondents from the consultations were concerned with the current site for insufficient team and referee spaces, lack of washrooms, congested circulation, and limited accessibility for wheelchair or mobility-aid users. So, the facility needed to be modernized and upgraded. Another major project,
Leslie wants to see move ahead for 2026 is sidewalk replacement for a large portion of 22nd Street. The project will run from the post office to near the Coop store in Battleford. “That’s another important one because that one [sidewalk] is deteriorating a little bit more,” Leslie said. “If we can get that repaired and have minimal impact to the businesses that are along that corridor, it would be a huge success...” “It’s back to that strategic plan of improving safety and walkability in the community,” he added. “This is just one of those steps.”
Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie. | Photo by Jon Perez
Little Pine First Nation joins Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs By SaskToday staff
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BATTLEFORDS–Little Pine First Nation has officially joined the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (BATC) collective of First Nation members. BATC announced the news in a press release on Dec. 19. According to its website, BATC is a tribal council that was formed in the spring of 2007 with the original First Nations of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Moosomin First Nation, Red Pheasant Cree Na-
tion, Sweetgrass First Nation, and Stoney Knoll First Nation signing the Convention Act. Saulteaux First Nation joined in 2009 and Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation in 2014. With the addition of Little Pine First Nation, BATC will now represent eight Battlefords area First Nations. “We are honoured to welcome Little Pine First Nation as a sovereign partner within our collective,” BATC said in a statement. “The moment reflects a strengthening of our shared voice and our commit-
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BATC leaders and representatives shown at a recent event. | Photo by Angela Brown ment to working together in leadership, and vision to our members of Little Pine First support of our peoples, our collective work.” Nation. land, and future generations. BATC said it honours the “Together, we move forLittle Pine First Nation joins leadership, the Elders, the ward grounded in mutual this table as an equal Nation, Knowledge Keepers, the respect, unity, and self-debringing its own governance, youth, and the community termination,” BATC stated.
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