Biggar’s revitalization project in the city of Biggar is getting a boost from a major player in the agricultural sector.
Viterra, the nation’s largest grain processor, announced that it will match donations dollar for dollar up to $ 50,000 for the project.
Others are also landing a hand. The project has also been endorsed by actor Kim Coates, who has family roots in the city, as well as the Brownlee family foundation.
in a Youtube video Promoting the revitalization project, Coates recalls his childhood, his many visits to town, and his fondness for it. It even drops the city’s infamous catchphrase: “New York is great, but this is Biggar.”
“Biggar is my favorite city, but you all know that about me,” said Coates, whom others may know from their roles in Bad blood, the Continue movies, and Sons of Anarchy.
“How about a revitalization project for Biggar? This is about the urban landscape. We need better sidewalks, we need flowers, we need some things to blow up that amazing community. It is time, it is beyond time ”.
The work is funded through donations, which will be matched up to $ 2.5 million by former Biggar residents Ina Lou and Wayne Brownlee.
Organizations hope that this latest push will help the project reach the ultimate goal.
“I am confident that the generosity to support the success of our programs will provide vital funding,” said Ryan Rindero, regional operations manager for Viterra Saskatchawan. “It is through this type of teamwork that our community thrives into the future.”
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The project aims to help with the ever-growing population of the city.
“The populations of Regina and Saskatoon have increased dramatically,” said Chris Gbekorbu, economic analyst with the Saskatchewan Association of Realtors. “But outside of Regina and Saskatoon, the population is actually declining.”
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The committee expects to have the projected $ 8 million secured within the next six months with plans to be “shovel-ready” by spring 2022.
“We want people to come to our community safe,” said Biggar Mayor Jim Rickwood. “We want them to come home and build a future here. Not only for that generation, but for all future generations ”.
– with files from Brenden Purdy
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