Can-do attitude: Great Western helping out Biggar’s revitalization project

Something’s brewing in Biggar.

The Saskatchewan town is looking to make some changes to its downtown and has been raising funds for the revitalization project. It’s also hoping people will raise a glass of beer to help out.

The Great Western Brewing Company has created a limited edition can for its light beer in honour of the town. On Tuesday, the town held an event to mark the launch of “Biggar Beer.”

“Two dollars and 50 cents from every eight-pack get donated into the campaign for the Biggar revitalization plan,” Michael Brennan, the CEO of the Great Western Brewing Company, told 650 CKOM’s Brent Loucks.

The town also holds special significance to the company.

“Every single grain of barley that goes into Great Western beers passes through the town of Biggar because it’s malted right there in Prairie Malt in Biggar,” Brennan said.

The special can is adorned with a picture of the town from the early 1900s.

So far, Biggar has raised a little over $1 million, including proceeds from the beer’s sales. The campaign’s target is $2.5 million, which will be matched by the Brownlee Family Foundation for a grand total of $5 million.

The money will go towards creating a new-look Main Street and a multi-purpose park with a market area, a festival stage and a historic garden.

“The big picture for this Revitalization Project is to update Main Street and transform the Canadian National Railway grounds into a multi-use park, tourism hub, and interpretive centre, which are two projects of importance to the Brownlees,” says a project statement on the town’s website.

“Biggar Beer” is available at Saskatoon Co-op liquor stores and Biggar retail outlets.

Payton Zillich, 650 CKOM