Initial sale of SLGA buildings brings in $2M for provincial government

The provincial government has brought in more than $2 million through the sale of former SLGA properties in seven communities.

According to the SLGA, offers have been accepted for the properties in Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Esterhazy, Humboldt, La Ronge and Moosomin for a total of $2,085,000.

The sales come as the provincial government leaves the liquor retail business following an announcement in last fall’s Throne Speech. At the time, Premier Scott Moe said it was “not a core business of government” and announced the closure of the remaining 34 SLGA stores around Saskatchewan.

Private permits were put up for auction in communities where SLGA stores were closing, and that sale brought in a total of $45,077,800.

Lori Carr, the minister responsible for the SLGA, said she was pleased with the level of interest seen with the property sale.

“Selling the properties is another step in the process to wind down SLGA Retail Inc. and the proceeds from the sales will also support important public services across the province,” Carr said in a statement.

Of the 34 now-defunct SLGA stores, the company owned 19. Five of the buildings will be repurposed for other government organizations, and the remaining will be sold “in the coming weeks,” the government said.