Back at the beginning of March, the 'Biggar Revitalization Project' came in second place at the 16th Annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards.
The revitalization finished in between a solar project out of Lumsden that took the top spot, and the RM of Edenwold's Women in Government Program that placed third.
Following the news, we checked in with Biggar Mayor Jim Rickwood.
"It's been a real honour to get that recognition. Of course, we didn't go into the project expecting to win an award. That wasn't the goal of the project. When the Brownlees came forward with their offer to help with the revitalization, it was for Biggar. It was to make Biggar look the way it was, and to bring Biggar back to our downtown core."
Things have gone pretty well so far from their point of view, and the award was just a cherry on top.
"It was a really good project. It was really timely. The award was a bonus. We congratulate (the others) on their placement on the awards as well. But you know what, it's an honour either way. It's a good day."
Rickwood mentioned the Brownlees again, as things couldn't have gone at the pace they did without them.
"We had a 110-year-old water line on Main Street that needed attention. It had to be replaced, and we proceeded to make the plan for that," shared the mayor. "The Brownlee's really planted a good seed for our town."
Rickwood shared that with the water line specifically, that's a project that could have set the town back years.
"If we would have had to do the water line on our own, we would have had to gravel Main Street for a few years until it was economically feasible to finish the project. This way, there was inconvenience, absolutely there was, but we got the job done in one season."
New sidewalks, new lighting, and everything else that is contributing to the fresh new downtown core are things that would have been years away if not for the hefty donation.
"The merchants wouldn't have been happy, because of the gravel downtown, and it was just a whole lot of inconvenience." said Rickwood. Business owners on Main Street in Biggar were a major consideration for the project, "The merchants got new water service put into all their businesses on Main Street at no charge. Through council, we allocated a $3000 store front incentive grant to do something on the front of their buildings. We had great intake on that, and people latched onto that. It was good, and something to do in our Town to help us out."
Those disruptions will more than pay off into the future according to Rickwood. The mayor mentioned how the previous council was all for the project at its inception, but did reference some changed opinions with the current group.
"Since we've started, there has been some naysayers and negativity about it. But over 95 per cent of our citizens were in favour of the project and that's who we listen to. They gave us the direction, and we are certainly thankful that we got what we have. It's all made possible by the town. The people are the driving force. They were the catalysts behind this."
Rickwood knows that negativity can always be expected in our society. Regardless of anyone's opinion the project is nearly close to complete when it comes to Main Street, and much more is being planned for around Biggar. The gateway project is being worked on, and plans have been unveiled plans for the CN Park aspect of construction as they continue looking for the community's inclusion on these plans.
"We want everybody to be engaged. Community isn't just where we live, it's the people we are amongst."
When asked about the fundraising side of things, Rickwood said they will always take extra support. There are always opportunities to be part of the community.
"We are close to our milestone of our 2.5 million. But we are going ahead with the funds we have in place and the funds that are committed." he said.
It's not just the people here now that have sparked the revitalization. Rickwood gave a shoutout to all former and current Biggar residents. There has been a great deal of engagement from people coming back to support their hometown.
"It's just amazing. The energy is great, you know?"
Photo via Randy Weekes on FacebookBiggar's mayor is looking forward to the future. Money keeps coming in from donations, government grants, and the Brownlee's themselves. Things have come together pretty well.
This year's Christmas display marked the first real milestone for the project. In the time since, the 1940 style streetlights are now shining bright.
With the big melt underway, now taking away the long-lasting covering of snow around the West Central community, Rickwood is looking forward to a Biggar spring.
"Once the snow goes, and we can see the trees turning green and the grass and the plants and everything, it's going to be spectacular."
Thu, Apr 25, 9:30 AM
