Postmedia moving 12 Alberta papers to digital-only, announces sale of Calgary Herald building

Postmedia is moving a dozen of its Alberta community newspapers to digital-only formats, eyeing more outsourcing deals for printing and laying off workers.

The moves were announced today in an internal memo to staff obtained by The Canadian Press that describes the measures as part of a transformation plan geared toward managing costs.

Later in the day, the newspaper publisher said it has also sold the Calgary Herald building for $17.25 million to U-Haul Co. The company has been trying to sell the building for nearly a decade.

The landmark brick building is in a prominent location just across the river from downtown, and is visible from the busy commuter routes of Memorial Drive and Deerfoot Trail.

Earlier Wednesday, The Canadian Press reported that internal memo at Postmedia says the plan will result in an unspecified number of roles being eliminated across Postmedia over the coming month as it works through vacancies and layoffs.

It adds that the Postmedia publications moving to digital formats will make the transition on Feb. 27 but did not name which newspapers will make the switch.

On Wednesday, several of the publications posted stories about the coming change, including: Drayton Valley Western Review, Airdrie Echo, Peace Country News, Fort McMurray Today, Leduc County Market, Cochrane Times, Bow Valley Crag and Canyon, Cold Lake Sun, Hanna Herald, Vermilion Standard, Pincher Creek Echo and Whitecourt Star.

Postmedia also used the memo to announce it has entered into a limited partnership agreement with Glacier Media and will be moving all of its Saskatchewan printing to Estevan Printing.

The company says it will put its Saskatoon building up for sale and look to sublease a Regina property, leaving Saskatchewan-based employees to permanently adopt remote work.