There are five properties in Air Ronge and La Ronge that the LLRIB is in the process of turning in to urban reserves. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

economics

New Air Ronge, La Ronge urban reserves still in the works

Jan 20, 2024 | 8:00 AM

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) is continuing the process of creating new urban reserves in Air Ronge and La Ronge.

The properties to be converted to reserve land include 112 La Ronge Ave., 1112 Finlayson St., 1120 Finlayson St., and 1119 Poirier St., all in La Ronge, as well as the former site of La Ronge Industries along Highway 2 in Air Ronge.

LLRIB Lands Manager Ty Roberts attended a regular Air Ronge council meeting this week and asked leadership if they had any questions arising from the service agreement the band wants to sign with the village.

“The way that we work these service agreements is say tomorrow we buy a parcel of land in the village, we would deal with it by adding it to the appendix,” Roberts said. “We’d come back and say ‘we are adding this parcel, are you guys cool with that?’”

Roberts also inquired on if the village had a list of properties owned by them that are currently for sale. He noted the band, as well as Keethanow Group of Businesses, could be interested in buying commercially-zoned land specifically.

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“I really do even appreciate just mentioning the opportunity to purchase land in Air Ronge,” Roberts said. “It’s huge. We’ve never really been approached with that kind of stuff before.”

There is no date set yet when the properties will be turned into urban reserve. The service agreement put forward to the village still needed to be examined by legal council, and once that document is agreed to and signed by all parties, there will still be some time before the change actually occurs.

Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk said she approves of the band purchasing village land and turning the properties into urban reserves. She noted the reality is the LLRIB is in a better position to attract new businesses to the area than the municipality.

“I had tossed the idea to them about potentially turning the marina area in urban since we have had a struggle ourselves in being able to find the project coordination, and really using that land to its full potential. That could be a potential partnership down the road,” Baschuk said.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com