Residents didn’t hold back as Mayor Gerald Aalbers joined the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society for their mid-October meeting at the Legacy Centre.
The discussion stretched from hospital funding and long-term care shortages to Highway 16 congestion and the future of city transit.
Traffic headaches and highway worries
Aalbers opened with light humour about the city’s busy west end before turning serious about safety at the 66 Avenue and Highway 16 intersection. He noted traffic signal upgrades have modernized the system, but admitted it’s not perfect.
“Distracted driving is a major issue in our city,” he said. “If you’re sitting behind someone who’s not moving, don’t be afraid to give them a little honk.”
When asked about a potential bypass, Aalbers said the idea isn’t new but remains costly and complicated.
“The Alberta government bought land years ago, but Saskatchewan didn’t,” he said. “A full bypass would need about $400 million and three overpasses. With both provinces on the hook for half, it’s hard to see that happening anytime soon.”
Seniors’ care frustrations boil over
The conversation quickly shifted to long-term care, where members challenged the mayor to take a stronger role in keeping seniors close to home.
Society member Dr. Raf Saeed urged the city to consider building a municipally managed care facility similar to the Pioneer Lodge and House on the Alberta side.
“Our people are being shipped out,” Saeed said. “Some of them never make it back. We need to stop talking about provincial responsibility and start acting locally.”
Aalbers agreed the shortage is heartbreaking but said health care falls under provincial jurisdiction.
“I can’t stop a health authority from moving people,” he said. “We can help advocate and support, but at the end of the day, it’s a provincial responsibility.”
Politics and priorities
Aalbers reminded the group that city council faces difficult budget decisions each year. Rising costs for fuel, materials, and equipment have stretched municipal dollars thin.
“We’ve asked staff to stretch every dollar,” he said. “There’s no extra cookie jars left.”
He said any new care facility or major project would need funding partners from surrounding municipalities, such as Britannia and Wilton.
Transit plans still under review
Members also questioned the city’s lack of public transportation. Aalbers confirmed research continues into possible models, including an on-demand system similar to Border City Connects.
He said early studies showed strong support for transit in theory, but few residents said they’d actually use it.
“Cold Lake spends about $1.5 million a year on free transit,” he said. “That would mean about a six per cent tax increase here. We’re looking for a made-in-Lloydminster solution.”
Aalbers suggested a pilot project might be the next logical step to test feasibility.
From Costco to care homes
The mayor also fielded questions about the new Costco development, confirming the city has issued a building permit. “They have a year to build,” he said. “I haven’t had an invitation to a grand opening yet.”
Questions about Jubilee Home’s future brought more concern. Aalbers said the facility’s long-term replacement is still under provincial review. Residents voiced frustration that Saskatchewan and Alberta appear divided on priorities.
One member summed it up as “the miracle of Saskatchewan politics,” noting how one health minister called Jubilee beyond repair, while another said it was in good shape.
In the end, the Lloydminster Mayor appreciated the chance to meet with the group and looks forward to keeping the lines of communication open going forward.
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I’d like to see privately run apartments with services for seniors like the apartments in Medicine Hat. Now that we’ve seen our parents aging, we realize after age 80 people can quickly need more care than can be provided through Home Care and private services. In sure people would like to stay in the community even if they can’t stay in their current home.