Wastewater partners celebrate
The $81.5 million cost of the City of Lloydminster’s new mechanical wastewater treatment facility may be worth every penny.
That was the consensus of the project partners who spoke about the benefits at a grand opening celebration and tour of the site on Tuesday afternoon.
“We affect the lives of well over a quarter million people downstream from the North Saskatchewan River where our water is turned back to,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
“It’s imperative we do the right thing for people in North Battleford, Prince Albert, Cumberland House, all the way to the Churchill (river) into Hudson Bay.”
Aalbers says the need for a new facility was dictated by federal regulations that were exceeded with the plant built to meet the needs of the community for the next 20 years.
The new wastewater facility was completed last November when it received a permit to operate from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency.
Aalbers also assured residents the city’s water system is also in good shape, following a recent water emergency in nearby Wainwright and ongoing water pipeline repairs and a state of emergency in Calgary.
“Water and wastewater are some of the key factors that we provide each and every day and people have that expectation,” said Aalbers.
City honours life of Coun. Fagnan

The City of Lloydminster is honouring the life of Glenn Fagnan, a two-term seated City Councillor, a Rotarian of more than 30 years and the executive director of the Border City Connects Society, who died on Sunday, June 16 at the age of 65.
The Rotary Club of Lloydminster paid tribute to Fagnan at their Monday meeting and paused for a minute of silence.
Fagnan is warmly remembered as a companion, leader and architect of the community who significantly contributed to the development of Lloydminster’s business landscape.
He and his wife, Karen, along with their daughter, Brandy, moved to the Border City in 1989 to start Relay Distributing, and its rich history continues to operate today, serving the Lloydminster region for more than three decades.
Since selling Relay Distributing, Fagnan built and operated Midwest Communications, Diamond Limousine, Paige Industries and Knox Corporation. His love for business did not stop there. Over the past 35 years, he has shared his entrepreneurial wisdom by volunteering on many business-related boards, including that of the president of Lloydminster’s Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Lloydminster Economic Development Association and sub-chairperson for the Economic Development Corporation.
Of course, Fagnan’s love for the community extended beyond business. Most recently, he served as the Council representative for the Saskatchewan Summer Games to be held in Lloydminster from July 21-27. He also served as president of The Olive Tree, the former Handivan Society (now Border City Connects Society) and KidSport, and assisted with Scotia Bank Hockey Day in Canada and the Alberta Summer Games.
“I love our city, and we have many wonderful organizations and a huge pool of volunteers. I always say that the true measure of a community can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable community members,” Fagnan wrote in a community bio after being elected to city council for a second term in 2020.
Over the years, Fagnan was honoured with many awards and accolades recognizing his service and achievements as a businessman and community advocate.
Country music awards make splash in Lloyd

Local boys Dylan Hansen & The Rough Cuts kicked things off on the main stage on Thursday night before a weekend full of indoor and outdoor live music and markets. The Gold Horse Casino hosted a brunch with Mayor Gerald Aalbers on Saturday morning with the awards taking place that evening.
Big River’s Jake Vaadeland had a busy night taking home four awards, including Male Artist of the Year.
Shaunavon’s Hunter Brothers took home four awards, including Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year.
Teagan Littlechief picked up two awards, including Female Artist of the Year, and host, Jess Moskaluke, was awarded National/International Artist for her international success.