A group of people concerned about the potential sale of land surrounding Valley View Centre is working to ensure that property is preserved for the future.
About 40 people gathered at the Moose Jaw Union Centre on Dec. 3 to discuss the provincial government’s planned sale of Valley View land and the implications for the environment, area ecology, Aboriginal heritage and future development.
While several guests spoke briefly, most of the night saw attendees ask questions from the floor.
There are five parcels of land that make up the Valley View Centre, ranging in size from 0.19 acres to 1.05 acres to 50.9 acres to 69.3 acres to 78.4 acres, for a total of 199.84 acres. The piece of property that concerned most people is 23 acres in size and is on the west side of the complex adjacent to the Seventh Avenue road.
This road also provides access to the former Wild Animal Park, which is where many artifacts have been found over the years and is an area sacred to Indigenous peoples. It is also believed the area could be a traditional burial ground.
The bidding process for this property closes on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at which point the provincial government can award the tender to the winner.
“We don’t know if a purchaser has been lined up yet, but it could be a foregone conclusion,” said NDP MLA Cathy Sproule.
Sproule explained she asked Ken Cheveldayoff, the minister of central services, what the rush was in selling off this land. She also suggested the provincial government “pump the brakes” to ensure there was proper consultation with the community. She says she was given a non-answer that provided little clarity.
Sproule later suggested city council could express its concerns to Moose Jaw’s MLAs about this issue, while residents could start a petition or even contact Cheveldayoff right after the Dec. 11 deadline to ask which bidder won the sale.
Todd Johnson, general manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority (WVA), explained he has met regularly with the province about this issue since he started nearly a year ago. He stressed that the province has been receptive to concerns raised and that he has had many fair dealings with the government representatives.
Wakamow Valley Authority has looked after the bottom part of the valley — where the 23 acres is located — for 14 years as part of a lease agreement with the province, Johnson said. That agreement expires in March, so both parties are attempting to find a solution so WVA can possible continue caring for the land.
“They want to work with us,” Johnson said. “We sat at the table and had really good (conversations) … . There’s nothing off the table, (whether it’s) a conservation easement or extending the lease. We think there are multiple ways to solve this problem.”
Johnson added that he is a positive man and believes the provincial government and WVA will “come to the right conclusion.”
Several people with knowledge of the area explained the government has performed a hazardous assessment on the buildings at Valley View Centre. Those reports will be released to the successful bidder, who will have to factor in oil spills and asbestos. If there are no bidders, the government might have to tear down the buildings itself and remediate the land.
Former city councillor Don Mitchell explained former Mayor Ray Boughen proposed building a housing development on the Wild Animal Park property years ago. However, a group of residents managed to get 5,800 signatures on a petition that forced the mayor to back down. Mitchell suggested something similar could be done in this instance.
Crystal Froese, speaking on behalf of herself, said she was concerned about this property since it has Indigenous heritage, is an ecological zone, and allows some residents to access their property by using an adjacent road.
“It’s (the issue) really complex,” she said. “I don’t think the government has done enough consultations with the community.”
Froese added that city council has no interest in the buildings since demolition costs would be too high and has no need for that area.
People at the meeting also criticized both of Moose Jaw’s MLAs — who are Sask. Party members — for not speaking up about this property or doing anything to protect it.
