SaskEnergy purchased land in the agri-food industrial park several years ago to build a natural gas-related structure but needs to purchase more acres so it can better access that property.
The Crown corporation bought property in the park southeast of Moose Jaw around 2017 so it could build a town border station, a venue that reduces the pressure of natural gas before it goes to distribution systems for residential consumers. These stations regulate gas pressure from 250 pounds per square inch in gauge (psig) upstream to 60 psig downstream.
SaskEnergy returned to city council recently and asked to purchase surface parcel No. 203797637, or SE 27-16-26 W2M Ext. 7, for road access to its existing town border station. This road will also enable the company to build a second transmission line into Moose Jaw to connect with its forthcoming Great Plains Power Station.
During its July 11 executive committee meeting, council approved a recommendation for a purchase and sales agreement with SaskEnergy for that parcel of land. The company will pay $3,702.45 per acre or $6,035 in total.
In return, SaskEnergy must grant the municipality a preferred right to obtain easements for a right-of-way on, over, under, and/or through this land for any future city infrastructure or services. Furthermore, SaskEnergy will cover any costs that the city incurs, such as for legal surveys, subdivision costs or transfer registration expenses, while those costs will be added to the purchase project of the property.
Council also recommended that the mayor and city clerk sign the option to purchase land agreement between the City of Moose Jaw and SaskEnergy.
“The town border station probably happened a little sooner than was planned because of the whole agri-food industrial park requirements for servicing and the SaskPower project,” said Jim Dixon, manager of economic development. “So this is exciting because … it’s a win-win situation that we have this now and sell it to SaskEnergy so they can fulfill their ability to service the park, as well as future growth in the City of Moose Jaw.”
During the July 27 regular meeting, city council unanimously approved the recommendation as a motion, which means it is now official.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 8.
