A large crowd gathered together for last night's annexation meeting at the Credit Union iplex.

     The informational meeting, hosted by the City of Swift Current, was intended to provide details on the city's plan to acquire land from the neighbouring RM in order to expand its borders for future growth.

     Jim Walters with Crosby, Hanna and Associates was hired by the City to create the plan for city expansion in residential, commercial, and industrial growth.  "Our firm was hired by the City last year to come up with the ideal growth plan for the city", said Walters.  "It took about a year, and we reviewed it with the City for several months.

     Primary opposition of the proposed plan at last night's meeting largely focused on land located along the West Trans-Canada business strip, as well as the Research Station on the City's east end.

     Reeve for the RM of Swift Current, Jim Parsons says as it stands now, the City is attempting to gain land developed by the RM on the west side, and accounts for a large portion of their tax base.  "Our tax loss there in a year would be about $300,000," Parsons stated.  "When you annex developed land in that area, we have $5 million in improvements in that area".

     The next step takes place in the coming weeks as information will be submitted to the Provincial government for further review.