Mayor Ryan Bater has welcomed a brand-new resident to the city of North Battleford in recent weeks.
As it turns out, that new resident is a baby boy.
Councillor Kelli Hawtin shared that news and extended congratulations to the mayor during the announcements/inquiries portion of council.
In his remarks Bater said his baby is very healthy, and his wife Heather was also doing well. The baby’s full name is David Gordon Bater.
In extending his thanks to doctors and nurses at Battlefords Union Hospital, Bater noted that “Gordie’s” entry into the world was “slightly dramatic.”
Expanding on that, Bater went on to say he “owed an explanation, perhaps an apology” to the graduating class of John Paul II where he was supposed to speak at their grad night June 29.
As Bater explained, his wife was starting labour at the hospital while he was sitting in the audience, and they were frantically trying to reach him while the graduates were on stage receiving their diplomas.
Just as Bater was being introduced to speak and bring greetings on behalf of the City of North Battleford, a woman Bater worked with at his office suddenly ran through the doors of the gymnasium trying to get his attention.
“It took me a second to realize what was happening,” Bater said. Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford was also there and turned to Bater to suggest “I think your wife’s in labour.”
“So all these people at the graduation ceremony saw me stand up, but instead of walking up to the stage, I ran out of the room,” said Bater.
That prompted laughs from council and administration at the meeting.
Bater went on to publicly extend his congratulations to the John Paul II graduation class.
“I hope they understand why I had to go,” said Bater.
