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.
Mayor George Fontaine hopes to open the door to more commerce along one of Flin Flon's busiest roadways. With the city trying to assume ownership of the former armoury property, the mayor would like to eventually see the site host a business. 'We'd love to see a business go in there and we'd love to see one that generates income for the community,' Mayor Fontaine said. But he said no plans have been finalized. 'I guess it depends on what comes up,' he said when asked about the city's plans for the site. 'We'll wait and see if we end up with somebody who's got a good idea, especially one that pays us good taxes _ we'll be taking it very seriously.' Businesses Located along Highway 10A near seven major businesses, the armoury site closed to the Canadian military in 1995. A year later the building became home to Many Faces Education Centre and post-secondary education institutes, but they all left in 2007. At one time there was talk of building a new swimming pool and recreation complex at the site. The city currently has a lease for the property and is working to take over ownership from the provincial government. See 'City' on pg. Continued from pg. Mayor Fontaine said he hopes to have a response from the province within the next four months or so. The city is also working to assume ownership of the parkland along Kingsway Boulevard. Council has discussed the possibility of opening the land to nine new residential lots, but that idea has met fierce resistance from neighbourhood residents. Last year, more than 320 residents signed a petition to preserve the parkland. Since the Kingsway land is already used as a park, Municipal Administrator Mark Kolt said previously that it makes sense for the city to try and acquire it even if residential lots are never developed. Mayor Fontaine has said that no residential development would happen without a public meeting. Speaking at last week's council meeting, Mayor Fontaine applauded Premier Greg Selinger for meeting with city reps to discuss issues such as municipal property ownership. 'We got very good face time,' said Mayor Fontaine. 'I don't think a lot of communities in this province can claim to have had as many visits from the premier as we've had in the last several years. He does like this place and I'm glad, because he gives us a chance to discuss some of our issues and see if there's any way they can help us, so it was much appreciated.' While in Flin Flon last week, Premier Selinger also helped officially open the new EMS Station and announced that work to revamp Highway 10 from Flin Flon to Bakers Narrows will begin next year.
