The Downtown Business Association (DBA) is optimistic about the restart of Estevan’s downtown construction project, pointing to the improvements it will bring to the area.
The DBA met with the City of Estevan, ASL Paving and Associated Engineering at the beginning of April to review the project’s progress and timelines.
“They listened to our concerns and questions, and we were really pleased with the feedback we got,” said Laurel Buck, chairperson of the DBA and owner of A&A Jewellery.
One concern raised during last year’s construction was the impact on businesses with only front-door access.
“I don’t think we had any concern that they weren’t listening to the business,” she said. “I think we just want to see it go a little bit faster this time.”
Despite the disruption, excitement about the transformation remains strong.
“The DBA is still really excited about the project. I think we’re all looking forward to it being completed, but I know it needs to be done,” said Buck.
Customer reactions have been mixed, she added.
“Most people are pretty excited, and some people are saying, ‘Oh, why are the sidewalks so wide?’ But then you explain that they’re going to be paving stones, there’s going to be some benches, some beautiful trees. You can grab a coffee or a cone or whatever you want to do and sit on the benches and relax.
“I think a lot of people can’t quite see what’s coming.”
While construction has posed challenges for some businesses, Buck said hers has seen less of an impact.
“We probably have 80 to 90 per cent of our traffic come through our back alley door anyway, so it hadn’t affected us as much maybe, but I know there were other businesses that it definitely did.”
She also expressed appreciation for community support.
“I think the people in Estevan and the surrounding area are wonderful, and we just can’t thank them enough for supporting us.”
Buck provided an update on how her business has been recovering since last August’s flood.
“Our basement is cleaned up back—a lot of stuff has been replaced. Some we just haven’t been able to replace,” she said. “The basement’s cleaner than it’s been probably in a lot of years.”
The flood also revealed a surprise: names written on a wall dating back to 1925.
“At some point, when I have time, I want to dig into that and find out... the history of the building and the history of the downtown.”
As construction continues, Buck said foot traffic is gradually returning—though muddy conditions have made navigating the area difficult.
“There’s a lot of people that are around downtown,” she said. “Once you point out the walkways, then people can go that way instead of coming through the mud.”
With completion in sight, Buck said she’s more optimistic than ever.
“I am so excited because personally, as a business owner, we’ve talked about this long before the city ever did,” she said. “It makes such a difference in attracting businesses and attracting people... even your own people.”
She said the improvements are already encouraging local investment.
“We’ve already had a couple of businesses come downtown because of what’s happening here. Not just because they’re coming—but because they know what it’s going to look like.”
While the reduced speed limit initially drew criticism, Buck believes it’s improved the downtown experience.
“I know a lot of people were not happy when they put the speed limit down to 30.”
With foot traffic picking up and new businesses setting up downtown, Buck is hopeful the changes will continue to inspire growth and confidence in the core.
Between the wide sidewalks, new greenery, and places to sit and visit, she believes people will soon start to see the full vision take shape.
“It just makes such a huge difference to the businesses and to the whole atmosphere downtown,” she said.
And as the construction moves forward, so does the optimism—from business owners and customers alike—for what’s to come.