By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism initiative
City of Martensville councillors passed all three readings on a bylaw during their March 3 meeting to provide a five-year property tax abatement on a proposed $4.7 million SARCAN building.
As explained by Martensville Economic Development Manager Dillon Shewchuk in his report to the March 3 council meeting, SARCAN has operated a recycling depot at 621 9th Street North for well over a decade.
However, SARCAN is now proposing to construct a 7,092 square foot building on approximately 1.7 acres of land at 75 and 85 Rutten Court in Martensville.
According to information provided by SARCAN that was included along with the March 3 agenda package, this new facility will feature an enhanced public customer service area, a dedicated Drop-and-Go customer entrance and processing room, two semi-trailer loading bays, new conveyor systems to improve processing efficiency and other enhancements.
As well, Shewchuk said they would be going from a leased space “to a permanent, owned, purposely-built building for their own programs.”
SARCAN anticipates this facility will employ approximately five to six full-time employees, generating an estimated annual payroll of $175,000 to $206,000 within the local economy.
Expected return volumes are seven million beverage containers annually with refunds exceeding $700,000.
In addition, the diversion of beverage containers, batteries, paint, electronics and foam, flexible packaging and household glass will help extend the life of the local landfill.
The projected total investment in this project is $4.7 million, including land acquisition, site development, building construction and equipment installation.
Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026 and require approximately 15 months to complete.
There will then be about three months to commission the facility and transfer operations.
Shewchuk said SARCAN was requesting a tax abatement under the Economic Development Business Incentive Bylaw, noting the project is eligible for a five-year abatement due to being over $4 million.
“The project blends very well with this bylaw. It represents commercial development supporting jobs and improving service delivery in the area SARCAN operates in,” he said.
The additional information provided by SARCAN suggests a tax incentive would help to enhance the feasibility of the project, reduce long-term financial risk and “demonstrate the City’s commitment to supporting essential environmental infrastructure and sustainable economic development.”