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Wed., Sept. 30, 2015
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Issue 20
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This year’s Showcase attracted more people and booths By Sam Macdonald Smacdonald@estevanmerucry.ca
Affinity Place was a business epicenter unto itself this past weekend, with the Estevan Showcase Business Expo running from Sept. 25 to 27. Representatives from businesses all over Western Canada and beyond visited the community for the three -day event, filling the arena’s main and mezzanine floors with exhibits showing the finer points of their businesses. Almost 2,500 guests filed into Affinity Place over the course of the weekend to check out what sorts of business exhibits there were on display. About 2,200 attended last year. Exhibit booths featured business info from an assortment of sectors, from technology and agriculture to housewares and political information. Booths were done up in eye-catching styles, with representatives eager to chat with guests on what their businesses were about and looking to build business connections. Many of the exhibits featured assorted demonstrations
and displays of products, like a large section of steel framing on the showcase floor, set up by Frame Tech Systems, to display the product they provide. Jackie Wall, executive director of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, noted that this year there was an uptick in attendance. There were 92 booths set up this year, compared to last year’s 91. She noted growth in turnout was consistent with other years. “I think it strengthens business in Estevan. When you have that many exhibitors coming from all over, they’re utilizing fuel, utilizing hotels, utilizing restaurants, and they’re seeing what Estevan has to offer,” said Wall. “It also brings people from the surrounding communities.” Some of the businesses that set up had multiple booths, which contributed to the growing number of registrations, indicating a growth in business commitment to the event. “It was a big mix of businesses,” said Wall. “Lots of people from Alberta and B.C., and even one from Calgary with a rep from Quebec was here, as well.” Turn ⇢ A2
Jackie Flamme, owner of Abriante Kids, a clothing business that sells casual and formal wear for children, was among the many local business owners who had booths at the Estevan Business Expo Showcase on Sept. 26. Photo by Sam Macdonald
Charging Down The Field Chargers running back Keegan Merriman tries to elude a Eagles defender during the first half of Weyburn’s 32-0 home win over Estevan last week in Weyburn. For more on the story, see page 3. Jamie Harkins photo
Bypass asphalt completed It’s another sign the new truck bypass north of Estevan is nearing completion: the asphalt component has been completed. Now it’s a matter of applying the finishing touches to a route that many in the Energy City have been eagerly anticipating for years. The bypass is expected to be finished before the end of October, unless there are major weather events during the next month. Sonja Orban, who works in the communications department with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, said the asphalt work was finished during this past weekend. “The construction is progressing well this season,” Orban told the Mercury in an interview Monday afternoon. “This season has been a very good season for us. There has been minimal precipitation, and we’ve been able to get the work
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joyed good progress in the last few months. The new truck bypass has been a much-discussed project in Estevan for many years, with many public meetings and open houses taking place to discuss the design and location of the project. The federal government stepped forward with money in 2009. But there have also been delays. Once the location was set for north of the city, problems arose over the west access point, which had to be relocated several hundred metres further west than originally anticipated. There were also delays caused when affected land owners thought they were receiving lowball offers from the Ministry of Highways for their land. The ministry eventually came forward with more lucrative offers, which some people accepted, but expropriation was needed for other individuals.
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done on time.” The weather this year has been a stark contrast from last year, when there was a lot of rain, which delayed construction on the bypass. The grading was supposed to be finished in 2014, but it had to wait for this spring before it could be completed. “There have been no delays this year,” said Orban. Some work still remains before the truck bypass is finished. Crews still need to paint traffic lines, install signs, and add signage at the railway crossing near the west access point. There is also some lingering clean-up work that remains. Crews have also been working on the bypass’ east and west access points with Highway 39, and the junction between the bypass and Highway 47 north of Estevan. Those components of the project have also en-
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