Fire at Regina Battery Depot led to layoffs: CAA Saskatchewan

The fire at the Regina Battery Depot and CAA Car Care Centre on Nov. 28 has resulted in some layoffs.

In a media release, CAA Saskatchewan president-CEO Fred Titanich said the fire “meant that adjustments to our business operations and staffing had to be made.”

“We originally had 13 staff positions, with some staying on to operate the new (Regina Battery Depot), or transferring to other positions at our CAA Regina locations,” Titanich said. “Some staff have taken early retirement with a few layoff notices issued recently.

“We realize this is not the best news for a few of our staff, especially at this time of year.”

The release didn’t say how many employees were laid off or took early retirement.

The new location of the Regina Battery Depot will be 200 Albert St., in the same strip mall on North Albert where CAA Saskatchewan’s store is located.

According to the release, a vacant 2,000-square-foot site in the mall will become the new home of the Regina Battery Depot sometime in early to mid-January. The store will only sell batteries; the location doesn’t have the space to do the vehicle repairs that previously were done at the CAA Car Care Centre.

The fire at the building on Dewdney Avenue was reported Nov. 28 at around 2:30 a.m., and firefighters were on the scene all day to put out hotspots.

The businesses have been closed ever since due to the damage sustained by the building. CAA Saskatchewan said the building will be demolished.

Regina Fire and Protective Services subsequently determined the fire was deliberately set, but no one has been charged as of yet.

“The fire at Regina Battery Depot/CAA Car Care Centre was a senseless act of vandalism that has resulted in considerable disruptions to the lives of our co-workers, members, customers and clients,” Titanich said.