Prince Albert pulp mill saved from wrecking ball

The closed pulp mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan has won a reprieve from demolition.

Saskatchewan's minister of Energy and Resources, Bill Boyd, said he is "very, very optimistic" that the pulp mill could be operating again. Boyd said he has been discussing the future of the mill with Domtar's top executives.

Back in August, Shell Canada expressed interest in taking over the property for an ethanol mill, but a deal could not be reached.

Prince Albert's mayor, Jim Scarrow, feels that the mill must be saved. Without the mill, Scarrow feels the province of Saskatchewan's forestry industry will never return to its former size.

Boyd has said the provincial government recently helped convince Domtar not to demolish the mill, although Domtar had not yet applied for a demolition permit.

Five years ago today Weyerhaeuser announced their plans to close the Prince Albert pulp and paper mill, putting 670 people of out work.

Read more:

Mill not being demolished: minister (Prince Albert Daily Herald)

Destruction of Prince Albert mill on hold (CBC)