The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon City Council wants to know just when the province intends to make good on plans to rebuild the fire-ravaged Hemlock Dr. seniors apartment complex. At Tuesday's council meeting, Mayor Dennis Ballard expressed disappointment that construction has yet to begin even though he was initially told the work would commence not long after the June 2002 blaze. "I think it's time we contacted some people and said, 'What the hell's going on?'" said the mayor. Coun. Nazir Ahmad brought up the matter, saying he knows of some seniors "in dire situations" who require accommodations a new Hemlock facility would provide. He pointed out that the province said it intended to begin work this summer and suggested council take a "direct approach" in finding out when that will happen. While the Manitoba Housing Authority, which managed the apartments, has not publicly committed to a firm start date, spokesman Adrian De Porto said in June that the work should begin by late summer, with a tentative completion date of early spring 2005. Half of the complex succumbed to flames and was demolished; the other sustained smoke and water damage but remained standing. The plan is to renovate the still-standing north section into larger suites. The rebuilt complex is to feature a total of 18 one-bedroom suites, one two-bedroom suite, a lounge and an elevator in two storeys. Council will also talk to the provincial government about the possibility of locating faculties of the new University College of the North (UCN) in Flin Flon. Again it was Coun. Ahmad who raised the issue, saying bringing some departments to Flin Flon "would be a plus and a have a desirable impact on the community as a whole." He said he wasn't aware of Flin Flon taking any specific steps to this end, adding that council, although not involved with UCN, has a duty to try to attract new services. Mayor Ballard said he isn't sure whether UCN will have specific departments but said council will investigate the matter, a "good start." See 'Recap' P.# Con't from P.# Flin Flon has a regional centre of UCN, based in Many Faces Education Centre. The university college absorbed Keewatin Community College earlier this year. A recap of other matters: Council voted to extend the City's public transportation contract with Northern Bus Lines through to 2009. Financial terms were not read aloud. Council authorized a minor change in its agreement with Manitoba Hydro ? the removal of two light standards from the community hall parking lot because of the construction of the new primary health care facility. Coun. Ahmad reminded the public to drive with added caution now that school has started for another year. Coun. Tom Therien wished the Flin Flon Bombers all the best in the upcoming season, while Mayor Ballard commented that he was "mightily impressed" with this year's training camp.
