Former Lloydminster Mayor Bill Kondro has passed away at the age of 82.
Kondro was the seventh mayor of Lloydminster from 1982 to 1987 and returned to sit as a councillor from 1992 to 1994. During his tenure, Kondro was heavily involved with the planning and development of the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Upgrader, working with MLAs and MPs on both sides of the border to make that project reality.
Kondro also served as chair of the Lakeland College Board Of Governors in 1997-98 and 2002-03, during which time he headed a capital campaign that raised $13 million for a new academic wing, which opened in 2008.
The wing, which would eventually have his name given to it, includes two hospital-style nursing labs, a chemistry and biology lab and several lecture and multimedia spaces. The campus addition is credited with increasing the student body by over 500 students.
Current Mayor Gerald Aalbers is among those offering condolences, saying that Kondro served the community with pride and was quick to direct gratitude to donors or community members. Councillor Aaron Buckingham also noted that Kondro was a mentor for him, and was a community leader who was a large reason Lloydminster is the City it is today.
Kondro also served workers across the province as a member of the Alberta Labour Relations Board for 27 years, promoted local sports as president of the then-Jr. A Blazers, was a past member of the Lloydminster Community Futures Board, Lloydminster Kinsmen Club and was formerly the Saskatchewan Kinsmen Association’s governor.
In honour of Bill Kondro, the flags at City Hall will be lowered until sunset on March 8th, and Council will observe a moment of silence for him on that day as well.
According to information from the City, Kondro peacefully passed on Tuesday, March 2nd. He is survived by his wife Ruth, children Mark, Dawn and Heath, and his grandchildren Kelsey and Russell.