La Ronge Courthouse Sod-Turning Called Off

Thursday, October 04, 2007 at 16:44

 

 

It’s not clear if a local petition is responsible, but the provincial government has changed its mind about holding a sod-turning ceremony in La Ronge tomorrow.

 

Government ministers were scheduled to be present to mark the start of construction of the community’s new courthouse.

 

But a Saskatchewan Justice spokesperson says the sod-turning has been postponed until further notice.

 

Local resident Anne Hryniuk started a petition earlier this week after recently noticing surveyors at the site.

 

Hryniuk wondered why the project was being allowed to proceed on lakefront property, when that sort of development has historically been opposed and thwarted by local citizens.

 

But town administrator Dave Zarazun says despite the provincial government’s actions, town council still hasn’t given the project its blessing because of a pending re-zoning issue.

 

Zarazun says La Ronge citizens will be given plenty of opportunity over the next several weeks to provide feedback on the proposal.

 

Government officials haven’t clarified why they’ve abruptly dropped plans to hold the sod-turning.

 

In an e-mail sent to town council yesterday, a spokesperson will only say that it is important the re-zoning process be allowed to run its course.