Lakeland learns from Jasper wildfire
Visitors are slowly being welcomed back to Jasper after a devastating summer fire, thanks to the help of local emergency services crews.
The town lost over 30 per cent of its structures to what is now known as the Jasper Wildfire Complex.
Bryce Lytle, a Lakeland College Emergency Services Technology program (EST) instructor, recalled the college’s response.
“We were some of the first people to arrive into Jasper after that initial crew … the initial first response and mutual aid,” stated Lytle. “We were the crew that essentially allowed them to get some rest.”
Lakeland College was notified about the potential opportunity to help on July 24. Students were preparing for the potential call as well as a critical test the next morning.
Initially, they deployed the medical side of the program, which included 15 members, including the dean, two technicians, instructors, and eight students, including Carter Ives.
“It was a horrific thing that happened to the residents of Jasper, but it was a huge honour to be able to go there and help out,” recalled Ives.
“It was great to go practise the stuff we had learned in a classroom in a real-world environment.”
Meanwhile, the program’s fire students deployed right after their tests. By the evening of July 25, 30 people and multiple pieces of equip -
ment were operating under the Lakeland College banner. Due to their size, they helped with multiple tasks simultaneously.
According to Lytle, they arrived at task force headquarters at 4 a.m. on July 26. They were initially given the responsibility of protecting various structures throughout Jasper. This required them to patrol multiple corridors to protect the municipality.
“There were still structures igniting when we arrived … our job was to protect any standing structure … it was our job to prevent that fire from spreading to other homes,” stated Lytle. “For the first full day, we did structure protection,” said Lytle.
Student Jordan Baker will be grateful for the valuable lessons he learned as he begins his career as a firefighter. He can’t thank the college and professors enough for pushing for them to be first responders to the fire.
“It was a life-changing experience for me, something I’ll remember for my whole life,” said Baker. “For students at such a young age, it was a phenomenal experience.”
However, those lessons didn’t come without extensive conversations about the abilities of the group the college considered taking. Lytle provided first-hand input into what they were getting into as he responded to Fort McMurray in 2016.
“Taking the students was a calculated decision,” stated Lytle. “I knew it was something that came with risks and dangers. We needed to calculate and ensure we were comfortable tak -
ing students into this situation.”
As a team, they determined they would be able to help in Jasper.
“We understood the group we had, their strengths and their ability, that was kind of the big key turning point of understanding this group was able and was certified to a level they weren’t gonna be a hindrance,” said Lytle.
“They were going to be boots on the ground able to help with whatever the situation was and wherever it was.”
Weeks from graduation, Mitchell Bremmer hopes to become a fulltime city firefighter. He shared some tasks he remembers completing during their five days on the scene.
“We patrolled streets, protected structures, checked basements and made sure there were no new hot spots,” said Bremmer.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Congratulations to seven-year-old Hannah for winning this year’s Halloween colouring contest! We had a ton of amazing entries and thank all who participated.
Photo Courtesy Lakeland College
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Sask Party,Young win
The Sask Party won the Oct. 28 Saskatchewan provincial election. Although they lost some seats in the cities, they maintained a 35 to 26 seat majority when MLAs return to Regina.
Locally, Collen Young, the Sask Party candidate in Lloydminster, won her riding with over 75 per cent support, beating the NDP party by 2,705 votes.
“I’m absolutely humbled that people trust me and have the confidence in me to be their advocate and to be their voice in the legislature once again,” said Young on election night.
“I think the plan the Sask Party put forward was a strong plan for growth and a bright future for our province.”
Young held her election night rally
at her election headquarters on 40 Ave. Supporters, volunteers and other elected officials were at the event, including Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers. He is happy to have some stability on the eastern side of our biprovincial city.
“We don’t want to be political at a municipal level, but it’s really important when you’ve worked for the government for eight years, they understand the challenges and we have commitments from Premiere-Elect Scott Moe,” said Aalbers. “He is coming back here in January to meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss some of the issues we’ve raised for the past eight years.”
Young took to the centre of the floor of her gathering around 9:30 p.m. to thank everyone for their help.
“Thank-you, thank-you, thankyou to everyone here tonight, especially all those who have supported me through the last 10 years, not just in this election but since I first ran in 2014,” said Young. “I want to thank my husband, he’s been there through this whole thing. From knocking on doors to everything, he was right behind me, I can’t say enough, thankyou, Kim.”
Young said she looks forward to going back to Regina to be the advocate for Lloydminster. She expects the legislature will be back to work in the coming weeks.
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Lloydminster working towards air service
APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The City of Lloydminster has accepted an updated airport master plan.
The presentation was made by Ben Crooks from HM Aero Aviation Consulting at the Oct. 21 council meeting.
The old airport master plan was completed and approved in 2020, and in April 2024, WestJet ceased operation in Lloydminster.
The master plan involved rounds of public engagement, there were in-person events in May 2024, two open houses totalling 53 attendees, and a Startup Lloydminster presentation with 25 attendees.
An online survey, Your Voice Lloyd, was open from April to May 2024 with 1,790 webpage visits, 709 survey responses, 90 per cent resident responses and 10 per cent businesses.
“In going out to the community and stakeholders, there are some very clear key themes that emerged through our work,” explained Crooks.
“From an air service development perspective, one overarching comment was a strong feeling of loss since the service was pulled by WestJet. That was a well-used service by both the residents and business community.”
Four key items for the priority of restoration for passenger air service include reliability and confidence in schedule, flight timings and destinations, airport convenience of access and airfares matching ability to pay.
According to data collected, the catchment area generates 283,000 trips by air.
Key items for the airport facilities and services include improvements to the departure lounge –seating and post-security washroom access, food and options and amenities.
Findings with the airport master plan update found market conditions have fundamentally challenged the 2020 plan. The new plan takes a more
flexible trigger-based approach to airfield infrastructure and terminal building development.
The capital plan recommends $25.5 million in predefined projects over 20 years with $13.4 million in trigger-based projects.
“We’ve also got some other projects we recommend through our work, we refer to as triggeredbased projects, that’s about $13 million in investment, primarily to facilities and infrastructure that are targeted air-carrier readiness and support,” he said. “Those are projects that can be implemented depending on market demand and the evolution of air services at the airport. Again, they don’t have a predefined implementation year, and the city has discretion about how it implements them.”
Crooks says of the recommended $25 million in projects, about $15 million is eligible for federal grants if scheduled services are resumed in Lloydminster.
This master plan is just one step in the process of bringing air service back to Lloydminster.
“It does not completely alleviate the concerns because until we have regular air service restored in a regular fashion, that’s really the concern they’ve (public) expressed,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
The Lloydminster airport was one of a limited number of regional airports in Alberta with scheduled passenger air services. In 2019, the airport’s economic impacts were estimated at 56 full-time equivalent positions, labour earnings of $2.9M, and GDP contributions of $3.9M.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport saw a drop from 19,628 passengers in 2019 only recovering to about 61 per cent of its pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
Council approved the Lloydminster airport master plan and the implementation of the air service development strategy.
ATCO franchise fees increase
STAFF WRITER
The City of Lloydminster has passed a motion which will see an increase to the franchise fees for ATCO gas and ATCO electric.
“In a sense, it’s very similar to taxation. It is a revenue source for the city.
The presentation was made by Ryan Hill, financial planning and analysis manager at the City of Lloydminster, at the Oct. 21 council meeting.
The item was brought forward to council at the Oct. 15 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting. The amendment aims to increase the ATCO Electric franchise fee to 14.5 per cent and the ATCO Gas franchise fee to 28.5 per cent.
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers asked Hill during the presentation when the last franchise fee increase was.
“One year ago, last year we increased,” said Hill.
Aalbers followed up by asking how much the previous year’s
increase was.
“It was one and a half per cent on each one,” stated Hill.
Coun. Jonathan Torresan voiced his support, stating this is a revenue source for the city.
“When I look at this in the grand scheme of things, in a sense, it’s very similar to taxation. It is a revenue source for the city,” he said. “We already know in the past inflation has been continuously putting pressure on the municipality the same way it has been on households.”
Torresan says the municipality does depend on the revenue that comes from the franchise fees and says there’s possibly other cost savings on the horizon.
“Especially knowing the Alberta Utilities Commission, if you go on their website, they’re doing consultation about bringing distribution fees down in the province of Alberta,” he said.
In the map provided during the presentation, it shows the segments of the city which receive ATCO power and SaskPower. However, all of Lloydminster receives gas through ATCO.
The motion to increase the franchise fees passed and the new rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
CHRISTIAN
Source File Photo
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI
Chamber celebrates lifetime achiever
think is right at the time —it’s not really for any recognition.”
since 1996 and is known for her advocacy role in the elk industry.
Add Glenda Elkow to the list of active community pillars in the Lloydminster area.
Elkow is this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards at the WLS Convention Centre on Oct. 24.
“It’s an amazing honour. I’m really grateful to be given the award,” said Elkow who lives on a farm close to town with her husband, Terry.
“You go through life and you do what you do, and you do what you
As the role of the presiding Chamber president, Donna Schellenberg was pleased to choose Elkow for the award, as someone who has made a significant contribution to our community.
“Every president has different parameters they choose. This is amazing as it really highlights a big variety of lifetime contributors to our community,” explained Schellenberg.
“There’s been an impressive lineup of recipients over the last 20 years and I take great pleasure in introducing you to this year’s recipient.”
The Chamber’s video, shown to the audience, profiles Elkow as a volunteer, businesswoman, farmer, wife and community builder.
Over the years, Elkow has volunteered in various ways and sat on multiple boards.
She’s been involved with the Alberta Elk Commission, Canada’s Cervid Alliance (elk), Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce, Lloydminster Rotary Club, Nelson Group Inc. and RJ Nelson Family Foundation, among others.
Elkow is the daughter of the late local business icon, Ray Nelson.
She got her start in business at Nelson Lumber Company in 1979 as a home improvement sales rep and quickly advanced to floor covering manager.
She was named senior vice president in 1998 and became co-chief executive officer in 1999. She also found the time in 1985 to become the owner, operator and president of Buns Master Bakery.
Elkow has also been helping her husband run their Elk Country farm
“I worked on the elk boards provincially and nationally for probably 15 years, getting regulations and things changed,” she said.
“When we first started, the government regulations were literally smothering the industry,” she said.
She recalled they couldn’t cross the border from Alberta to Saskatchewan with elk or put down an injured animal without getting permission from the provincial government.
“It took almost seven years, but we got most of our issues resolved and new legislation passed to seal that deal. There’s still a lot of work to do, but now it’s someone else’s turn,” said Elkow.
Giving back is in her family’s DNA.
“The community has been very good to our family and the surrounding areas. We make a pointed effort to make sure we give back,” said Elkow in the video.
She was also the first elected woman councillor to serve the County of Vermilion River from 2000 to 2013.
Elkow says her life to date has been quite a journey, with more community involvement to come.
“Border Paws is one of the main boards I am on right now,” she said.
She also told the audience, she took pilates at Schellenberg’s To The Core Pilates & Nutrition business for a farming injury and joked she deserves gold stars for her dedication.
“This award is the highlight of my life, but it’s not going to get you off the hook for my well-deserved gold stars,” Elkow told Schellenberg at the podium.
To the Editor: Shortage of senior social housing
Growing older comes with many challenges! Who knew one of the biggest challenges would be finding senior social housing in Lloydminster, while maintaining your Saskatchewan residency?
Alberta residents have the choice of four subsidized senior independent living facilities in Lloydminster offering 152 units.
We in Saskatchewan have only one,
namely Halls Holme Apartments, offering 71 units.
We are fortunate that the aging Halls Holme (built in 1976) is able to provide accommodation for those Saskatchewan residents 55 or older, for a very reasonable cost. But as waiting lists are long, we need more spaces like this on the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster.
Geoff Lee Meridian Source Glenda Elkow was surprised but delighted to be picked by Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce president Donna Schellenberg, as the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
Maz doubles down as Business of the Year
Maz Entertainment stole the show as the only double award winner at the Lloydminster District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
The local company, owned by Cody Mazeroelle, captured the Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year awards before a sold-out dinner crowd at the WLS Convention Centre on Oct. 24.
Cody was in Saskatoon leaving his wife, Stephanie, to accept the final coveted Business of the Year honour on behalf of her husband.
“So, Cody did not prepare a speech for this one,” she said.
“We’re just very grateful for this community and we just want to thank you for all the support. We just can’t wait for what the next year will have for us.”
The top Business of the Year Award was presented by Aaron Dyck, who represents the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan in the prairie region.
“I guess I’ll just get down to business. So, your Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year is Maz Entertainment,” announced Dyck.
The couple was shocked to win two awards, especially the Business of the Year Award.
“He’s going to be shocked about this one. I can’t wait to tell him on the phone later tonight,” said Stephanie.
“Cody is a very humble person in the community. He is just so grateful for all the support he gets as a small business.”
“I’m very proud of him as his wife. He does so much for the community and the family in everything. I am very grateful for the award.”
Stephanie says her role with the company ranges from helping with the books and running a few cameras to helping run the crews. They’re often stretched thin with all the events Cody picks up.
“He has streaming for live events, he does camera work and audio-visual for lots of events,” she explained. “He works with the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and he travels around Canada doing lighting and sound production for the PBR right now.”
Cody did, however, write an acceptance speech for Stephanie to read as the winner of the Small Business of the Year, noting “he sends his regrets not being able to make it tonight.”
She told the audience he loves every opportunity to socialize with the people in the room.
“Cody would like to thank everyone who nomi -
Many of us have lived all our lives in Saskatchewan, and want to remain here.
Yes, there are facilities in outlying rural areas, but living in Lloydminster gives a much broader access to activities and services that help keep one involved and socialized.
Candidates in the recent Saskatchewan provincial election were asked, “What is your political party planning or willing to provide to fund additional accessible, affordable and safe senior social housing in Lloydminster Saskatchewan?”
Which ever party is elected, it is time that Saskatchewan stepped up to provide their share of senior social housing in Lloydminster.
- Sharon Pryor, Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Senior Care Society
nated Maz Entertainment and supported him over the years,” said Stephanie.
“He said it a million times, his company wouldn’t be anywhere without this amazing community, and of course, the hard-working crew.”
Stephanie says when Cody first started in the entertainment business, he never dreamt it would be a full-time job.
“He would get asked for years while DJing in his younger years ‘What do you do in your real job,’” she said.
“Ten years later, it’s not only a full-time job for him but many others who have full-time and parttime work doing something they love.”
“The journey is far from complete and we’d love the opportunity to grow and bring new ideas and services to the great people of Lloydminster and across Canada.”
The couple are also proud parents of a new baby born in September.
Meet the Business
Excellence winners
GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the 2024 Business Excellence Awards.
There were a record 46 nominees and dinner turnout at the WLS Convention Centre on Oct. 24.
Chamber president, Donna Schellenberg, acted as master of ceremonies and set the scene.
“Each year during Small Business Week, more than 10,000 businesses come together at hundreds of events across Canada to celebrate entrepreneurship and small business,” she said.
Awards were presented for Lifetime Achievement, Glenda Elkow, Think Lloyd First Ambassador, Live With Kurt Price and Small Business of the Year, Maz Entertainment.
The award for Employer of the Year went to Mary Brown’s Famous Chicken & Taters. The Community Spirit Award was given to Bry-Tan Trucking and Crane. Trestle River Homes won the Integrity Award while the Diversity Award went to Inclusion Lloydminster. The award for the Non-Profit of the Year, chosen by the Chamber’s board of directors, went to Homebase Lloydminster while the Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Marc’d Up Tattoos.
GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Aaron Dyck, left, presented Stephanie Mazerolle, who owns Maz Entertainment with her husband, Cody, with the Business of the Year Award at the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards at the WLS Convention Centre on Oct. 24
Working together for a brighter future
Barry Helm, a local Lloydminster business success story, is in the running for municipal council, believes in working together for a better Lloydminster future.
For Helm, it all began just before the turn of this century with an honest door-to-door business.
“I started a business in 1999 when I was doing my post-secondary studies, it was called Squeegee Boy and started doing windows then landscaping.”
Armed with an old truck and a
lawnmower he affectionally called “old smokey,” he hit the ground running. The business eventually took over his studies and he left his schooling behind to work on his flourishing business.
“Just started knocking on businesses and drumming up work, my first job was for Pioneer Lodge.”
His landscaping company became known as Pioneer Landscaping and he continued to employ students, much like himself when he first started the businesses.
Helm says his interest in council began when he started having questions about what was going on.
“When I see some of the things going on in the city, they could be doing this or should be doing this, or there might be a different way of doing this,” he said.
Helm says he wants to be a part of council to help support the team. He adds on the want to cast a vision for the city into the next 20, 40 or 50 years and beyond.
“Council has some tough decisions ahead, you know, just to be a support for that team and serve that team,” he said.
He says it’s important to see things in terms of the community as a whole.
He also says Lloydminster has the opportunity to become a hub if a big business were to come into town.
“It’s going to change the social fabric of our community probably in more ways than we can really understand when we’ve got a tangible centre where people from outside the community, North Battleford, Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Vegreville, Wainwright all coming to Lloydminster on a regular basis.”
Helm says people feel like they can’t control their lives.
“I think from a broader political perspective, we’re in almost a sense of hopelessness, powerlessness that people feel,” he said.
Helm believes the city does have some issues, including the task of beautifying Lloydminster.
“We’ve got to work hard to keep things beautiful and make them nice, and to see things from the eyes of a tourist or someone travelling through, how will they perceive the community,” he said.
Taxes are an issue on Helm’s radar and he believes the city should be looking at different revenue streams to help lessen the burden on the taxpayer.
“I think if we do create additional streams, we could reduce the burden on the population and on businesses in the community,” he explained. “I think we’ve got a lot of resources in terms of actual geology and geography, social capital in the city to do some very creative things.”
Helm says a potential stream within the community could be
found at the landfill with waste to energy conversion. He cites specifically the frustration residents have with their utility bills and wants to find a way to fix it.
“I think people are frustrated with the way power is distributed and the expense fees associated with it,” said Helm. “Is there a chance we can actually form our own utility company?”
Helm says seniors housing is another issue he believes the city should advocate for, being shocked there has been no increase in longterm care on the Saskatchewan side of the city.
He says as a candidate, he has strengths and abilities, but believes it’s about who will work best as part of a team.
“I think we need to see things in terms of a community, who is going to be a team player, who is going to work well with administration with staff,” said Helm. “That is really going to be important for making this a successful and dynamic and growing community.”
He says as a candidate he can bring a lot of positive traits to council if he were elected. Traits he says he inherited from his parents and grandparents.
“I inherited that, I was brought up to be humble, to honour your parents, your history, to be peaceable, kind, compassionate and also courageous.”
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Christian Apostolovski Photo
Informed dedication to Lloydminster
est in politics.
Tracy King is up for any challenge. Having worn many hats and been involved in the community that raised her, she’s now ready to make changes politically.
King has spent over two decades in the banking industry before working as a small business owner and volunteering around the city. She says it’s the perfect time for her to jump into municipal politics.
“It’s a really good time in my life to step forward. I have the time and the energy to start a new journey and I love Lloydminster,” she said. “I think it’s a great place to raise my family, work, live and I want to pay it back and get involved and help shape it in the future.”
She says Lloydminster still feels like a small town with big-city amenities.
“We still feel like we know and care about our neighbours, we run into people we know wherever we are. It’s easy to work and have a really good work-life balance,” said King.
King says she’s always had an inter-
“I try to stay pretty informed, it’s the thing that’s probably ignited a passion back in me once I decided to get involved,” she said.
She says there are challenges that are being heard and the community, and wants to be part of the conversation and help.
“I think financial responsibility is a big one, and making sure we’re balancing development with the cost to our taxpayers, that’s important to me,” said King.
She says with being fiscally responsible, it’s important that people can still access affordable services.
“I think we have wonderful services here and I want to keep those services where they’re at and keep them affordable for all,” said King.
An issue King wants to see change is the land use bylaw.
“I do believe it needs revisions.”
She says following an amendment made to the bylaw, it was delayed and made an election issue.
“It’s a matter of, we all just need to understand it, all of us, what does it mean, what does it look like in the
“We took part in restoring the downtown so when citizens returned they wouldn’t be coming home to streets filled with disaster, but something which seemed like home again.”
The province is auditing the EST at the Vermilion
future,” she said. “A couple of concerns for me would be variances.”
The variance change in the bylaw brings it to 25 per cent, which she says is too large to go forward with.
She also cites the issue of discretionary use and says council should be more involved in that process.
“There are some cases where the council needs to be involved in making decisions that have a bigger impact or a big impact on the community,” said King. “I might like to see more talk around some of the issues and go more in-depth on approval.”
She says the current bylaw has had a number of amendments.
“The existing bylaw in place has had many, many amendments and it’s quite clunky, it’s not that efficient,” said King.
She says it is important to leave the professionals to do what they’re best at, but there are issues she believes should go in front of council.
She says the city is growing and it’s important to innovate.
“I think our community is growing and changing, we have to keep finding new ways to do things more efficiently,” she said.
campus because of its performance during the fire.
According to Lytle, Alberta Emergency Management is reviewing everything the school could offer going forward.
“Instead of asking to help, we may be considered part of the resources the province can call in in the
message is approved by Darrell Dunn
King says it’s important for the community to understand what’s going on in city hall.
“We just need to do more and communicate more,” she said.
King says she’s dedicated to this community and wants to see them not only prosper, but attract more people.
“I’m dedicated to the community, I have a strong sense of fairness and empathy and I care about the financial health of the city,” “I have the time and energy and the commitment to work really hard.”
future because of how we performed in Jasper,” said Lytle.
The Jasper fire changed their community, leaving scars that won’t be soon removed. With the students, it left life-long memories and lessons they will use going forward, serving communities across Canada.
Christian Apostolovski Photo
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
LAKELAND IN JASPER FROM PAGE 1
Each month, the Source highlights one member of the community as a fun way to bring us all closer together!
This month, we featured Chris King!
Chris is the long-time head coach of the Lakeland College Rustlers championship women’s basketball team.
If you didn’t do what you do for a living, what would you be doing?
Coaching baseball or hockeyif that is cheating, running a company.
It’s Sunday morning, what are you having for breakfast?
Bacon and eggs.
If you could see one concert, what would it be?
Taylor Swift- Generational.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Telepathic powers!
What was your childhood celebrity crush?
Tiffani Amber Thiessen- (Saved By The Bell).
What is your favourite TV show?
Saved by the Bell.
What’s your dream car?
Original Hummer- The boxy ugly one.
What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure?
DQ- Mint Cookie Dough Blizzard.
Last book you couldn’t put down?
The Book of Joe: Trying not to suck
at Baseball and Life (Joe Maddon).
Which person, alive or dead, would you like to have dinner with?
Steve Nash.
What’s the one thing you haven’t done that you’d love to do?
Sturgeon fishing in the Fraser River.
What’s the best thing about Lloydminster?
Community feel and support of a small town. Not too big and not too small.
If we’re buying you’re having.... Hazy IPA.
What’s your favourite vacation destination?
Shuswap.
What’s your weirdest habit?
Showering four times a day.
What’s currently playing in your car or on your smartphone right now?
Zach Bryan.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People telling you how busy they are.
What are your words to live by?
You don’t need motivation, you need consistency.
Who’s your hero?
My Mom, the hardest worker, always pushing to do more, be more.
What was your most
embarrassing moment?
Freshman year at Concordia, I was warming the bench and all my high school buddies came to watch … there was an injury and the coach made me take the medical bag on the court for the injured player ... all my buddies stood up and cheered … hahaha that was a tough one.
BIZ AWARDS FROM PAGE 5
The award for the Downtown Business of the Year was presented to Integrated Therapies & Performance.
The award for customer service was
given to R&D Plumbing with award for Business Woman of the Year presented to It’s Time Promotions. The coveted award for Business of the Year went to double winner, Maz Entertainment.
Source File Photos
Q&A with incumbent Jason Whiting
Q: Tell me a little about yourself
A: I grew up in Lloydminster on a farm just outside the city and have always called Lloydminster home. Even while living in larger centres such as Edmonton or Brisbane, Australia, I still knew Lloydminster was going to be where I would end up. I went to school at Queen Elizabeth, E.S. Laird, and the Lloyd Comp; every Sunday we went to First Baptist Church; I took swimming lessons at the outdoor pool before we had the Bioclean Aquatic Centre; my first job was at the Co-op grocery store when it was downtown; I’ve been able to watch our community evolve and grow throughout my life and look forward to continuing to encourage the growth and prosperity of our city through my continued input on council.
Q: Should the city be involved in providing funding to social programs?
A: This is a very challenging and open question that council needs to balance with what is best for our city and how much our taxpayer should pay. For example, currently our city supports the “seniors’ taxi voucher program” which I feel is a vital program for our community.
Q: What are your thoughts surrounding the issue of the men’s shelter?
A: The men’s shelter isn’t necessarily the “issue.” The issue is individuals that have personal and mental challenges that can be a nuisance or break the law. I do understand some individuals may utilize the shelter, but I want to ensure we step back and look at the big picture. I truly appreciate those who are working hard behind the scenes to help those in need as well as those that are working to find solutions to a very complex topic.
Q: How can the city get better return on investment on capital projects?
A: The easy answer is that we need to ensure we are investing and building NOT just for us today but building and investing for our children and grandchildren’s future. Our water treatment plant is a great example of a piece of infrastructure that was built in the 80s and built for growth.
Our taxpayers haven’t had to replace or do a major expansion on that facility thanks to a vision and expectation that our city will continue to grow.
Q: How would you economically revitalize the downtown?
A: I feel what has been done this past term has made great strides in revitalizing our downtown. The city took advantage of the long overdue need to replace the underground water and sewer and added some beautification to that project. We have also seen many businesses take advantage of grants available to them such as the façade improvement program. The revitalization of downtown won’t happen overnight, but I do see us heading in the right direction.
Q: What other revenue streams would you look at for the city?
A: The reality is, as a municipality, we don’t have a lot of options to create new revenue streams that would specifically offset taxes. For example, we have considered a “tourism levy” through our hotels however those funds would be required to spent on tourism related initiatives. The best way to increase our city’s revenue stream is to increase our tax base (assessment) and the best way to do this is to ensure we are working to grow and promote our city and specifically commercial and industrial sectors.
Q: What cost-cutting measures would you recommend for the city?
A: We have to be careful when trying to cut costs as this often means we have to look at reducing services. I always want to ensure that we are getting the best value for our tax dollar and when reviewing each year’s budget, this is our role as a councillor.
Q: What are your priorities if elected?
A: One of my priorities has been and always will be continuing to keep our community’s safety which means continuing to support our RCMP and protective services. I also want to ensure we see increased and balanced economic growth as it is this growth that will increase our assessment which will in turn allow us to invest in other areas such as recreation and
culture as examples.
Q: Why are you getting involved, what drove you to run?
A: My involvement and connection to our community, my eight years of experience on council, and my desire to ensure Lloydminster continues to grow as great place to live work and play is why I wish to continue my role on council. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Photo
Supplied
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Viewpoint
Editorial: Men’s shelter loses to NIMBY
MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Editor Taylor Weaver taylor@meridiansource.ca
Defeating the men’s shelter doesn’t solve the problem. Late afternoon on Oct. 22, the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter announced it had withdrawn its expansion plans. The sale of the building directly behind them had fallen through.
This ended a nearly two-month saga in which their image was dragged through the mud. Individuals across the city condemned, vilified, and accused them of being the source of everything wrong in Lloydminster.
It was also a classic demonstration of what happens when the “not in my backyard (NIMBY)” ideology rears its ugly head.
The expansion of the men’s shelter was the tipping point for many citizens in northeast Lloyd. They voiced their concerns to anyone who would listen, and their
wrath was directed at elected officials, city staff, the media and shelter representatives. Hundreds of letters were received, meetings were held and officials spent hours on the phone listening to residents.
Even if some of the letters may have been written by artificial intelligence, the concerns raised by those residents are valid. The increased drug use and crime combined with depreciating home values and loitering were all legitimate. Even if the end solution isn’t necessarily the best for everyone involved.
What isn’t valid is what’s happening now.
Threatening the safety of individuals and groups who offer support to the unhoused should have no home in Lloydminster.
A significant portion of our community understands, unlike some, just how easy it can be to end up in that situation. The fact they choose to remain generally silent to avoid being shouted down doesn’t diminish the reality.
Staff Writer Geoff Lee geoff@meridiansource.ca
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31
59 St. - Cenovus Refinery
Hwy 16 - 66 Ave.
59 Ave. - 29 St. Bud Miller Park
65 Ave. - 35 St. - ST. Thomas School
Hwy 16 - 80 Ave.
23 St. - 54 Ave.
Hwy 16 - 62 Ave.
59 Ave. - 23 St.
15 St. - 52B Ave.
09
25 St. - 57A Ave. College Dr.
31 St. - Bishop Lloyd School
70 Ave. - 41St.
62 Ave. - 56 St.
13 Nov. 14
52 Ave. - Barr Colony School
66 Ave. - 41 St.
· Additional locations may be photo enforced on the above dates
· Photo enforcement may not operate on all dates listed above
lloydminster.ca/photoradar
Those individuals have found ways to help provide for the unhoused population. Just because some residents don’t like it, doesn’t mean it isn’t both necessary and humanitarian to do so.
Meanwhile, other issues will remain because the expansion of the men’s shelter was halted and some residents lacked foresight.
Excrement in yards and alleys, loitering, and drug paraphernalia will continue to be an issue along with individuals found frozen to death over winter. Unless the city or community can come up with a solution, and quickly, that is the reality.
Another reality, when that happens, is NIMBY will raise its head again, yelling that it shouldn’t happen here. If only they had had a chance to prevent it.
Chris’ A-Z: Violence, chickens and networking
As I read more into the past of this beautiful border city, I’ve found myself pausing to laugh and take in some hilarious quotes I’ve found. Harry Pick wrote in his book, Next Year, “It speaks well for the British love of law and order to record that only eleven fights, seven incipient mutinies, three riots, and twentytwo violent interviews with Barr, the party’s leader, occurred during the voyage.” It also speaks quite well to how violent things got. It was early in the Barr Colonists trip to Lloydminster when people began to prefer the leadership of Rev. George Exton Lloyd over Isaac Barr leading to some heated interactions. I wrote in a previous column about the inexperience of the colonists when it came to farming and this quote encompasses the sentiment perfectly.
Photo Enforcement Locations For October 31 - November 14
11
Thursday, October 31, 2024
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Leeway from Lloyd: Halloween in full swing
Ghouls and goblins will be out in droves tonight for Halloween. This is a leap year, hence fright night has shifted a day forward to Oct. 31.
Locally, LloydMall is hosting a Trick or Treat Parade for kids 10 and under on Halloween from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Groups of 10 children will parade through the mall with six stops along the way and receive special Halloween treats. Kids will need to preregister before the event.
Grade 2 and 3 students from College Park School plan to head to Dr. Hemstock & Hearthstone Place on Halloween to sing spooky songs to seniors from 10 am. to 10:40 a.m.
They will be followed by Grade 1 students, who head to Pioneer Lodge to spook seniors with songs.
Earlier this week, the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School leadership group put on the annual Haunted Maze for the student body. Weaver Park jumpstarted Halloween activities in Lloyd with its Halloween Harvest for families on Oct. 26.
Halloween is one of the most lucrative celebrations when it comes to consumer spending. According to Consolidated Credit Counselling Services of Canada, Canadians will spend about $64.20 on costumes, $22.40 on candies and parents will spend $118.80 on expenses.
About 3.7 million people will go trick or treating
A Halloween 2024 shopping in Canada survey by the Retail Council of Canada indicates 53 per cent of Canadians plan to celebrate Halloween, with 83 per cent spending the same or more than in 2023.
An estimated 52.6 per cent of shoppers will spend between $0-$50 and 29.7 per cent will allocate $51-$100.
Despite economic challenges, spending patterns show steady enthusiasm for Halloween.
The good news for shop local advocates is the survey shows 73.2 per cent of purchases will likely be made in physical stores, emphasizing the importance of standout displays.
Spending is highest on food, alcohol and candies (62.7 per cent), followed by clothing (30 per cent and home décor (26.6 per cent).
In addition 82.7 per cent of shoppers in Canada plan to spend the same or more on Halloween purchases as they did last year. In 2023 this number was 81.8 per cent.
“Many of the British immigrants had exaggerated or even invented their skills as a farmer.”
In the modern age inventing skills is simply called networking, it’s how people are employed.
T o wrap up this quick look at some funny quotes I found, was a particularly gruesome recount-
ing of how a colonist decided to deal with her chickens.
“One Barr Colonist found she had a distaste for beheading chickens, so she set to work drowning the birds in her water barrel.”
I can understand having a distaste for beheading chickens but drowning them seems like a far more arduous task. His -
Q: What do you commit to when you go door to door?
A: I commit to continuing to work to make Lloydminster a great place to live, work and play. I will continue to consider all aspects of a decision and not be afraid to ask tough questions.
Q: Do you believe capital projects should be approved before all funding is approved?
tory of anything can be incredibly boring, hearing tales of small details that you may not always be interested in. Luckily, people of the past had far less of a filter than we do in the modern age. If it wasn’t for all the British violence on the boat over, I may have never thought about exploring some silly quotes I found.
A: I do wish this was the case for large projects but the reality is if we had to wait for all level of governments to commit to grant funding, sponsorship from various businesses, and all other pieces to be fully finalized, we very likely would miss the window to access grant funding, the cost of the construction would have increased due to inflation and supply chain challenges, and we could miss the short construction season further pushing back the project.
CHRIS’ A-Z FROM PAGE 10
WHITING Q&A FROM PAGE 9
Dan Gray Meridian Source Photo
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.
Passport to YLL
To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax
Cards, games, food, meetings, live music
Intro to Square Dancing
Modern square dancing lessons are being offered every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 511549 Ave. Walk to the beat of music by following simple instructions from the caller. Come alone or bring a friend. Wear whatever is comfortable. First evening is FREE. For more info, contact 780-872-2493 or visit SquareDanceLloydArea.com
Bingo at the Moose Lodge Bingo will be held every Monday and Wednesday, except holidays, at Moose Lodge 5213 57 St., Lloydmin -
ster. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games starting at 7 p.m. Must be at least 18 to play.
Kaiser Tournament
The Legacy Centre is hosting a kaiser tournament on Nov. 7. Play begins at 10 a.m., cost is $10 to play/$12 for lunch per person. Call 780-875-4584 for more info.
Legacy Supper and Dance
The Legacy Centre is hosting a supper and dance on Nov. 8. Doors and dancin’ at 5 p.m., supper’s at 6 p.m. Dance the night away to Saskatoon’s
NOTICE OF ADVANCE POLL
Public notice is hereby given that a vote will be held for the office of: Councillor: Town of Maidstone (6)
The ADVANCE POLL will take place on:
Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Senior’s Drop In Centre – 406 Main Street, Maidstone, SK
Dated at Maidstone, this 10th day of October, 2024. Amanda Flasch, Returning Officer
NOTICE OF POLL
Public notice is hereby given that a vote will be held for the office of: Councillor: Town of
ELECTION DAY will take place on:
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.at the Senior’s Drop In Centre – 406 Main Street, Maidstone, SK
I will declare the results of the election at the Maidstone Town Office on the 14th day of November, 2024, at the hour of 10:00 a.m.
You must bring ID with you to vote (as per Table 1 of Appendix D of The Local Government Election Act Regulations, 2015).
Dated at Maidstone, this 10th day of October, 2024. Amanda Flasch, Returning Officer
Phone: 306-893-2373 Fax: 306-893-4378
Email: townofmaidstone@sasktel.net
Memory Lane. Advance tickets only! Tickets are $25/person. Please purchase tickets before Nov. 7. Everyone welcome. Call Legacy office at 780875-4584 for details.
Islay Crib Tournament
The Islay Community Association is hosting a crib tournament on Nov. 9 at the Islay Hall. Doors open at 9 a.m., registration cut-off is 9:45 a.m., play commences at 10 a.m. Cost is $25/person, which includes a noon lunch. Please pre-register by calling Linda at 780-581-0570.
Doubles Cribbage Tourney
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting a doubles cribbage tournament on Nov. 10. Registration is from 9-9:45 a.m., play begins at 10 a.m. Twelve games guaranteed. Cost to play is $25/person, which includes lunch. Enter as a team or an individual (we will team you up). To pre-register, contact Bruce at 780-522-6972.
Islay Jamboree
The Islay Jamboree will take place at the Islay Community Hall on Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. Admission is $15, participants free. Everyone welcome. Lunch served. Call Dixie at 780-744-2205 for more details.
Cribbage Tournament
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is holding a singles cribbage tournament on Nov. 17 from 1-4 p.m. Entry fee is $20, eight games guaranteed with prizes to the top finishers. Must register by Thursday, Nov. 14. For more information or to register, please contact Bruce at 780-522-6972.
Lashburn Crib Tourney
The Lashburn Senior Centre is hosting a crib tournament on Monday, Nov. 18 at the senior centre. Teams and singles both welcome. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., tournament starts at 11 a.m. Costs to play is $10, snacks beverages available for $5. For more information, please call 306-821-2457.
Spades Tournament
The Legacy Centre is hosting a spades tournament on Nov. 21. Play begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $10/person to play and $12 for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for details.
Alcurve Christmas Craft Sale
The Alcurve Christmas Craft Sale is being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alcurve Community Hall on Nov. 23. Vendors are still welcome to book a table. Tables are $20 for the first and $15 for additional tables, $15 for clothing racks (supply your own clothing). There will be food, crafts, gifts, something for everyone. To book a table, please call Debbie at 780-808-0015.
Princesses & Superheros Dance
The Princesses and Superheros Dance is taking place at the Centennial Civic Centre from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 30. Join for an unforgettable afternoon filled with adventure and fun. Get ready to dance the afternoon away with your favourite characters. From heroic moves to royal twirls, there’s something for everyone.
Fall Suppers
Grace United Church Winter Supper
The Grace United Church, located at 4708 50 Ave., is hosting its winter supper Time and Talent Fundraising Auction on Nov. 9. Cocktails at 5 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each, tables of eight available. They’re also still accepting silent auction items.
Kitscoty Fall Supper
The Kitscoty Fall Supper is scheduled for Nov. 3 from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at the Kitscoty Hall. Come for a turkey supper and all the fixings. Adults- $20, 6-12- $10, under sixfree.
- Want to see your listing in our calendar? Email it to taylor@meridiansource.ca
Town of Maidstone
Town of Maidstone
Maidstone (6)
Everyone escapes house fire
All occupants are safe after a house fire erupted 20 km north of Lloyd on Oct. 28.
The blaze broke out near Highway 17 and Township Road 22 around 1 a.m. Meanwhile, Marwayne and Blackfoot Fire and Rescue volunteers arrived to find intense flames and thick smoke billowing into the night sky.
“All occupants managed to get out, so there were no injuries,” Hughes confirmed. “The fire is not considered suspicious.”
Additionally, the RCMP, emergency medical services, and various County of Vermilion River staff joined the effort. Fire crews battled the house fire for several hours before fully extinguishing the blaze and conducting overhaul.
Kirk Hughes, the County of Vermilion River’s director of protective services, reported ground operations began immediately.
Police arrest two after 57 St. incident
Two females were arrested following an incident on 57 St. on Oct. 26.
According to Lloydminster RCMP Staff Sgt. Brad Mouland, police were called after a stolen vehicle was located on the property.
“Occupants of the building were initially evacuated due to the fact the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) was en route to assist with entry into the dwelling unit,” stated Mouland.
“The ERT team eventually stood down and were not needed based on the details learned during the investigation.”
The evacuated residents were taken to the Moose Lodge on 57 St. and told to remain inside.
“Two females were arrested as a result of the investigation,” said Mouland. “Charges may be pending against one other person involved.”
Residents were allowed to return to their homes around 10:30 p.m. as police wrapped up their investigation.
Regional Fire Review: Oct. 31
Legacy Regional Protective Services regional fire chief Dean Peters reported no significant activity over the past week.
Meanwhile, multiple calls for service kept Protective Services—County of Vermilion River busy and the RCMP investigating.
Crews from Vermilion Fire and Rescue responded to a collision on Range Road 53 on Oct. 26. Additionally, the RCMP are investigating one of two fires on the Oct. 27.
At 6:18 a.m., Blackfoot Fire and Rescue were dispatched to Range Road 14 and Township Road 504 to extinguish a fully-involved pickup truck. Later that day, a vehicle fire near Tulliby Lake sent Marwayne Fire and Rescue out during the Marwayne Fall Supper. They arrived and extinguished the fire without incident.
“K Division’s auto theft unit is coming to analyze the pick-up truck which caught fire,” stated Const. Cory Riggs, an RCMP media relations officer for K Division.
If you have any information regarding these fires, please get in touch with your local RCMP or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
County of Vermilion River
County of Vermilion River
Dan Gray Meridian Source Photo
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Heart to beat again at Vic Juba Theatre
Heart, the rock album hit machine of the 1970s and 80s will resurface in Lloydminster as the Brigade Heart Tribute Band.
Band leader, Dahlia Wakefield who has deep roots in Lloyd, is bringing her six-person band to Vic Juba Community Theatre for one show on Nov. 10 starting at 7:30 p.m.
“We’ll be playing all their hits like Barracuda, Crazy on You, These Dreams, Heartless —instantly recognizable hits that you hear on classic rock radio,” said Wakefield.
“It will be a high energy performance. We’re going to sing our heart out.”
The pun was intended.
Wakefield will sing the part of Ann Wilson, Heart’s original leader of the U.S. band, while Karen Claypool takes on the role of Ann’s sister, Nancy on vocals and guitar.
“I heard Heart when I was 18 and I just feel in love with Ann Wilson’s voice,” said Wakefield.
“It was very earthy. It was just amazing. The lyrics really spoke to me back in the 70s.”
Wakefield is no stranger to music fans in Lloydminster as she performed at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster’s Lobsterfest this past May with her other band Dahlia and the Villains.
“It was a lot of fun and my first Lobsterfest,” she said.
Wakefield points out they do a bunch of classic rock in that band as well as country.
“I like many genres,” she said.
“I got to perform at Vic Juba with Dirt Road Angels a few years ago. I sing many genres. I even sing the metal genre, R & B—I sing everything.”
Many local fans can recall hearing Wakefield perform all over at telethons, fringe festivals, Rotary and Lions clubs and even singing the national anthem at hockey games in past years.
Wakefield grew up in Maidstone Sask. and lived in Lloyd on both sides of the border from 1991-1997 when she graduated from Lloydminster Comprehensive High School.
“After that I worked all over Lloydminster as a waitress, various real estate companies and I was also a Karaoke hostess as Wayside Inn for a few years,” she said.
“I have lots of family that live there and continue to come home for the holidays.”
Brigade’s upcoming headline act at Vic Juba is billed as an invasion with so many band members and fans on their way.
GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
15 Thursday, October 31, 2024
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Sweet sw Sweet sweep for Rustlers
The Lakeland College Rustlers court teams had a successful season-opening weekend with sweeps for the men’s and women’s teams.
The volleyball teams hosted the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings of Camrose on Friday.
The women beat the Vikings in three straight (25-18, 25-21, 25-19). The men followed with a 3-1 win (25-22, 26-24, 25-14, 25-17) for a good start to the season.
Both teams then beat the Vikings in
Camrose in three straight sets on Oct. 26. The women finished 25-21, 25-20, 25-20. The men, 25-21, 25-15, 25-16. It was also a great weekend for the Rustlers basketball teams. Both squads were in Camrose on Oct. 25 before playing their home openers in the Lakeland gym on Oct. 26.
The women beat the Vikings 80-45 on Friday before putting on a basketball clinic at home on Saturday. Oct. 26 saw an 86-40 win.
The men also swept the weekend with a 96-75 win on Friday and a 96-63 win on Saturday.
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Surfing and rock climbing in Edmonton are next for Lloydminster Comprehensive High School (LCHS) student athletes in the new Athletics Pathways program.
They’re going to surf at West Edmonton Mall before heading to Vertically Inclined for two hours of rock climbing.
Student-athletes got their final fix of cross-training at the Fight Farm in October.
“We’re building their athlete toolbox, so to speak,” said Natalie Wiebe. Wiebe is the lead instructor for the Grade 10 and 11 athlete development pathway.
Wiebe is also an instructor within the Lloydminster Public School Division sports academy system.
“Our students get to participate in sport-specific training, but we’re also looking at doing various activities in sports to work within different health and skill-related fitness components,” she explained. Athletic Pathways also focuses on sports nutrition, mental performance, anatomy and biomechanics, some sports injury management as well as look at leadership skills like volunteerism, communication, conflict and working within a team.
The Fight Farm’s offering of Brazilian Jui Jitsu, kickboxing, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts gives students another opportunity to tap into their athleticism.
Facility owner, Garrett Tepper, who has a 4thdegree black belt in kickboxing, talked about how the different styles of fighting benefit students at a session on Oct. 24.
“Today, we’re doing, kind of an introduction to kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, so a little bit of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, some wrestling,” said Tepper. “Basically, it’s team building, but just showing the benefits of what mixed martial arts can do for athletes, all types of athletes.”
Tepper thinks kickboxing is great for core balance, cardiovascular, muscle endurance and building confidence.
Kate Fink, a Grade 11 track athlete who focuses on the 100m and 400m hurdles was learning some Muay Thai from Tepper.
“This helps me with my coordination as a hurdler,” she said, while sparring with classmate Izzy Sebree, an experienced Muay Thai fighter.
“It’s actually pretty good,” she said.
Fink was also having fun learning to defend herself and do some boxing too with Tepper demonstrating the various offensive and defensive moves for the class.
Some of the other cross-training students involved play specific sports such as gymnastics, football, dance, and volleyball and basketball.
“This type of activity allows our kids to try different sports and different activities where they are using their bodies in different ways than what they’re typically accustomed to doing within their given sport,” said Wiebe.
“Then you just see the benefit of the cross-training going back to their main sport down the road.”
Surfing will take place on a Nov. 7 outing to Edmonton, one of two excursions a year in the fall and the spring for the Athletic Pathways students.
“It’s a really neat opportunity for them just to be able to, one, get outside of the city of Lloydminster and two, to participate in an activity that they’ll really get to test some of their athleticism,” said Wiebe.
Bandits finding feet
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source The Lloydminster Bandits (7-1) are red hot. The boys in black and red beat the Wainwright Bisons 3-1 on Oct. 26 after icing Cold Lake 7-0 on Oct. 25 and the Vegreville Rangers 18-2 on Oct. 12.
Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Experienced student Muay fighter Izzy Sebree, left, helps Grade 11 track athlete, Kate Fink learn some basic moves under the direction of facility owner Garrett Tepper.
GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
Cenovus Energy Hub completes major work
marked the one-year anniversary of ground-breaking for the project and in September all civil utilities were completed.
outskirts of the building, also along the dressing room corridor and the back of house areas. PreCast concrete was substantially completed in July, and caulking commenced in August. Rusway Construction started and completed all civil underground utilities, including water, wastewater and sanitary lines. Detailed design work on exterior signage began.
Permanent power was connected to the site in August. In September, the masonry contractor completed the block walls in all elite dressing rooms along the north end. ASL Paving began work on 39 Ave. roadway and parking lot.
Alberta Glass has begun installing glass on the front of the building.
In terms of funding the project has received a number of sponsors.
- Cenovus Energy – Facility Naming Sponsor $3 million Capital, $2 million Operating
- Co-op – Community Arena Naming Sponsor –$250,000 Capital, $50,000 Operating
- Synergy Credit Union – Lobby Stairs and Elevator Naming Sponsor -$260,000 Capital
Construction on the Cenovus Energy Hub is still ongoing and some important milestones were crossed.
This was all part of the update given to Lloydminster Council during the Oct. 21 meeting. Joel Turcotte, director of recreation and cultural services at City of Lloydminster gave the Cenovus Energy Hub Q3 update.
In July the last major truss was hung, August
In July the dirt pile created by the Lake K project on the south side of the Energy Hub was contracted to be removed. The dirt was moved to other city project locations such as 75 Ave. and the landfill. Along with the last major truss being erected, finished steel activities began, decking, roofing and exterior cladding started and continued over the quarter.
Concrete continued to be poured completing the
- Bry-Tan Trucking – Parking Lot Row –$30,000 Capital, $30,000 Operating
- Precision Contractors – Meeting Rooms –$30,000 Capital, $30,000 Operating
- G Force Diesel – Dressing Room – $30,000 Capital, $10,000 Operating Fundraising also continues for the project.
- Hockey Game – $4,049
- Chevy Good Deeds Cup Funds – U13 Blazers Female Hockey Team/Inclusion
- Lloydminster – $90,000 Capital
- Q2 2024 Events $47,781
- Q3 2024 Events $520
- Weaver Park Halloween Event – ticket sales ongoing as of Oct. 21
- Canada Helps – online donations $3,311
During the question-and-answer period, Coun. Jonathan Torresan asked about how the arena will fair with snow possibly on its way.
Tracy Simpson, executive manager, of Community Development Services, says they are ready in the event snow comes.
“The PCL project team and their sub-trades are working very hard to be water tight by the time snow flies and the weather becomes a little bit more difficult to manage,” She said there are contingency plans in place should the snow come sooner.
Coun. Jason Whiting asked if progress was being made on making the arena accessible.
“TBD with our architectural team, still carry their accessible consultation that’s something they should continue to look at,” said Turcotte.
Council accepted the Q3 Cenovus Energy Hub update as information.
PAGE 14
Stan Pietrusik will be on the keyboard and supply backup vocals, with Dennis Boisvert on drums, along with bass player Ben Oswell who was born in Lloydminster.
His family moved to the Hillmond area in 1994 then he moved back to Lloyd for his senior year of high school.
Just as Wakefield did, Oswell completed an extra year of music classes in Lloyd to prep for a music program at Grant MacEwan back when it was a college.
Ben stayed in Edmonton until 2011, then moved back to Lloyd in 2013-2014 and back to Edmonton until now.
Wakefield and Claypool have been singing together like Ann and Nancy since approximately 2011.
The two standouts are one half of the Dirt Road Angels country band that performed in 2022 for Ulmer Chev Cadillac’s customer appreciation event at the Vic Juba.
HEART TRIBUTE FROM
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Photo courtesy of the City of Lloydminster
Thursday, October 31, 2024
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Careers
Seniors push for Jubilee replacement
Sayeed, referring to the Lloydminster Hospital.
Sayeed says another thing the seniors’ group discovered was local residents were being shipped two hours away even as far as Stettler for a bed.
“We need a little bit of righteous indignation to get people (politicians) moving (on Jubilee),” he said.
T he Jubilee replacement proposal notes North Battleford has 18 LTC spaces per 1,000 people, Maidstone 19, while Lloydminster only has four.
“When you have a shortage of LTC spaces, it creates a shortage throughout the system right at the emergency department,” said Brown.
The Jubilee proposal would create a community of care for seniors without having to leave their community.
collaborative funding effort between a local group and the Province of Alberta.
“I would suggest to our city fathers we do a collaborative effort of some kind to further this,” said Sellers.
“The only disappointme nt Graham in what you told us today, is they (Sask) are going to have another study.
“We know the needs. The study is just another delaying tactic.”
Expect to hear some “righteous indignation” from local proponents of the Jubilee Home Replacement Project, now that the Saskatchewan Party has been re-elected.
That tactic was suggested during a project update by Graham Brown, president of the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster lunch on Oct. 28.
Brown says his lobby group is using a twopronged approach to get the project approved and is asking Rotarians to help raise awareness of the project.
“We’re going after the politicians and we’re now going to send the project up through the channel,” he said. “Then our next step is to write a letter to the CEO of Saskatchewan Health Authority and make sure he’s damn aware of this project coming up and start working on it now.”
Brown thinks it could take the new government three to four months to find a new health minister and bring him up to speed on Jubilee if a cabinet change occurs.
The proposal calls for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health to replace and expand Jubilee with 180 LTC spaces including 80 specialty care spaces identified in a 2013 community health needs plan.
Saskatchewan has not built any new LTC spaces since 1985 when the original Jubilee Home was replaced with the same 50 spaces. Alberta has added 109 LTC spaces in recent years, but there will be a projected shortfall of 148 LTC spaces within 87 kilometres of Lloydminster by 2035.
“One of the things that came from the 2013 study was Lloydminster’s Saskatchewan residents are not getting the level of health care from Saskatchewan that the rest of the residents are getting,” said Brown.
“We’re asking to get up to the same level they provide across the rest of the province.”
Dr. Raff Sayeed who founded the seniors group with Rod Sellers in 2005 over the need for LTC spaces, says project advocates are too polite in Lloydminster.
“W e have to stop being polite and stop being nice. The reason we have emergency waits is because we have no beds upstairs,” said
Paul Richer, chair of the Lloydminster and District Health Advisory Council, says Sask is allocating $250,000 to finance concepts and design plans for more LTC spaces in North Battleford, but none here in Lloyd.
“So it’s not that Saskatchewan is short of money, it just stops short of Maidstone,” said Richer.
Rotarian Robin Acton also thinks it’s time to stop pulling punches to get the Saskatchewan government moving on the project after years of lobbying for various healthcare issues.
“I’m with you Dr. Sayeed; we’ve got some righteous resignation,” said Acton.
“We want the same access to crappy healthcare that everybody else gets.”
Sayeed thinks Lloydminster’s City Hall needs to get moving as well, being a local power broker. How ever, Brown says Mayor Gerald Aalbers, who has been acclaimed in upcoming municipal election, is fully on side.
“We’ve really had the involvement of the mayor,” said Brown.
“He’s been pushing healthcare and for the first time in years, he had both health ministers here this past summer face to face. He’s really getting involved in the health file and that’s great.”
Brown says Aalbers estimates it could cost $500,000 per bed or $90 million for 180 spaces at Jubilee based on the comparative cost of the Northwest Community Lodge in Meadow Lake.
Sellers told Rotary the expansion at Pioneer Lodge, which created Pioneer House, was a
GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Dr. Raff Sayeed, left, a founder of the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society, helped its president, Graham Brown, rally support for the Jubilee Home replacement project at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster’s Monday lunch.
PAGE 20
Thursday, October 31, 2024
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MABBOTT: It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Marilyn Diane Mabbott, our mom, granny, sister, sister-in-law, cousin, aunt and friend, on October 8, 2024, with her family by her side.
Diane is survived by: her daughter, Shelley (Ray), step grandkids, Melissa (Ryan); Nicole (Justin); Alicia (Adam) ; son, Rod (Gail) and their children, Andrew (Brianna), Logan (Miranda), Landen (Corey); son, Darren and his children, Taylor, Danielle (Justin); her great grandchildren, William, Gwen, Isla, Otto, Lydia, Harvey, Heath, Nolan, Pepper, Raelynn, Dominic, Max, Abby, and Ethan; brother, Dale (Irene); Brothers and sisters-in-law, Ron (Melva), Walter (Gwena) and Glen (Donna); and MANY cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted kids & grandkids and friends.
Diane was predeceased by: the love of her life, Lyle; granddaughter, Jennifer; parents, Dan and Edna Dryden; parents-in-law, Bush and Alice Mabbott; and brother, Garry.
The Celebration of Life was conducted from Grace United Church, Lloydminster, AB on October 18, 2024 with Rev. Cathy Kinsman officiating. If you were unable to attend in person, you may view the recording of the service
posted on McCaw Funeral Service website under Diane's obituary.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace United Church (Building Fund) or donor's charity of choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.
CARD OF THANKS
The Mabbott family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the love and support Mom received. A special mention to Lakeside Pharmacy staff and to her Condo group for always going that extra mile for her. A grateful thank-you to Rev. Cathy Kinsman for such a heartfelt personalized service and for the comforting hospital visits. To Mom's church family, we are thankful for everything you all contributed to doing to make her Celebration of Life a memorable one. To her friends, thanks for the visits and all you did for her. The family wants you to know it did not go unnoticed. Thank-you to Joel, Chelsey and Charlene at McCaw'salways a pristine job! With sincere appreciation to all who came to celebrate her life with us whether in person or via video. Just a few standout sentiments shared with us about our mom: "Loved her family", "stood out the most", "Icon of Grace United Church", "Big heart, Open arms", "Fun to work with", "helpful and cheery", "Quickly became a part of everyone's life", "Granny to many", "Buns and Cinnamon Buns". She lived a full life and will join her soul mate, Lyle, and angel, Jennifer. We miss her already, but know she will always be right there watching her and Dad's legacy continue to flourish.
CHAMBERS: Jean Helen Chambers passed away at Riverside Health Complex, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on October 20, 2024 at the age of 95 years.
Jean lived a long and fulfilling life dedicated to her family, her community, and her many interests. Family was the center of Jean’s world. She found immense joy in spending time with loved ones, while always nurturing her connections with extended family and friends alike. A woman of many talents, Jean had a love for creative pursuits. She was a happy oil painter and loved to paint mountains. She also delighted in cake decorating, creating intricate and beautiful wedding cakes. Square dancing was also a favourite activity. In her later years, she and husband, Barney, pursued travel exploring Nevada USA, UK, Kenya, New South Wales, Australia and Mexico.
Her dedication to her
community was evident in the many ways she gave back. Whether through volunteer work, the West Hazel Women’s Institute, Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary or simply being a compassionate neighbor and friend. Jean will be deeply missed by her family, her community and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Jean is survived by: her loving children, Don (Norma) Chambers, Helen Chambers (Melany) and Doug Chambers; grandchildren, Christopher Taylor, Cameron Taylor, Paul Duncan, Eric Chambers and Renate Chambers; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jean is predeceased by: her husband, Bernard; parents, Carl and Eva Lundberg; and brother, Carl Lundberg.
The Graveside Service for Jean was held at Turtleford Cemetery on Thursday, October 24, 2024 with a Memorial Lunch that followed.
Donations in memory of Jean may be made to Riverside Health ComplexNursing home.
McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.
CARD OF THANKS
The Chambers family would like to thank all those who showed their support.
something is troubling me, because you're the one who understands me so well. I miss you when I laugh and cry, because you're the one that makes my laughter grow, and my tears disappear. I miss you all the time, but I miss you the most when I lay awake at night, and think of all the times of the wonderful times we spent with each other, for those were some of the best and most memorable times of my life. I just miss you all the
Your Family
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SEPTEMBER 1, 1938 - OCTOBER 28, 2022
You are loved beyond words And missed beyond measure ALL OUR LOVE ALWAYS Karl, Candace & FAMILY
peacefully on October 22, 2024 at St Joseph’s Health Centre in Macklin, Saskatchewan at the age of 85 years.
Amy lived a life filled with love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature.
She spent countless hours watching birds at her feeder and deer grazing in her yard.
She also enjoyed camping trips and going for Sunday drives, where she could admire the scenery, with her late husband Leo.
She is survived by her children, Armand (Bernadette) Benoit, Norman (Nancy) Benoit, Bert (Janet) Benoit,
and Yvonne (Ben) Clifford; grandchildren, Sheldon (Amberle), Alicia (Conrad), Ashley (Shaun), Christopher (Justina), Brett (Lauren), Tyler (Emily), Katelyn (Lane), and Larissa (Tyler); great grandchildren, Emma, Liam, Declyn, Elizabeth, Emelia, Anthony, Vaughn, Alanna (Kit), Karleigh, Quinley, Reya, and Isaac; great great granddaughter, Lainey; sisters, Therese Couchesne and Yvonne (Leonard) Nakonechny; brothers, George Rapin and Joe (Janet) Rapin; brothers in law, Marcel Benoit, Jean Benoit, Gilles (Marie) Benoit, and Stewart Elliott; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leo Benoit; daughters, Pauline Marie and Pauline Teresa; parents, Albert & Florence Rapin; step mother, Valentine Erdman Rapin; sister, Louise Elliott; sister in law, Denise Rapin; and brother in law, Roland Couchesne.
Mass of Christian Burial took place on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Marsden Community Hall. Interment followed at the Brady Cemetery.
