Negotiations On New Urban Reserve In Final Stages

Negotiations On New Urban Reserve In Final Stages

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 14:52

 

 

The Moosomin First Nation and the City of North Battleford are very close to a deal on a new urban reserve in the city.

 

Mayor Julian Sadlowski predicts an agreement on the reserve will be finalized within 10 days.

 

The five-acre parcel of land is right in the middle of the city, next to the Home Hardware store.

 

Keith Wright, the band’s land manager and Treaty Land Entitlement coordinator, says the band plans to build an office building there for band members.

 

Wright says band officials are hoping other businesses will locate there, as well.

 

He adds negotiations to obtain reserve status got off to a slow start, but now he’s happy with the way they are going.

 

Sadlowski says town council supports the band’s idea for the land — it just wants to make sure the reserve will be a success.

 

He says the only thing standing in the way of an agreement now is the need for lawyers to go over the details one last time.

 

Sadlowski says the band has been advised to go over its plans with the city’s planning department to make sure there are no glitches.

 

The band bought the land in 2006.

 

This will be the city’s third urban reserve.