review
weyburn Vol.111 No. 38 - Weyburn, Saskatchewan Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 12 Pages
.com
Swinging for scholarships
A little library on South Hill
The annual Swing for Scholarships golf event was held Friday for Southeast College scholarships. Page 6
Morgan Jones has set up a little free library nook in front of her home on Fourth Street South. Page 7
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Former councillor, former trustee running for city council
Riders for the Salvation Army
Review Photo 8461 — Greg NIkkel
A motorcycle pulling Santa’s sleigh led the Toy Run as it wound its way on Third Street through the downtown and up South Hill before finally finishing at River Park on Saturday afternoon. This annual event collects toys and monetary donations for the Salvation Army, to go towards their Christmas hampers later this year. There were 64 motorcyclists who took part in the Toy Run, the most ever for the Weyburn Independent Riders.
By Greg Nikkel Two familiar faces in local politics, former councillor Laura Morrissette and former school board trustee and former police officer Dana Pretzer, have both announced their intentions to run for Weyburn’s city council. Morrissette served on council from 2012 to 2016, and then was not re-elected in the 2016 municipal election. “I knew I would take another run at council at some point,” she said in an interview. “I would really like to make my way back to council for 2020.” She enjoyed the committee work she did while on council, and hopes if she’s elected, she might be able to serve on some of them again. One she particularly was for Communities in Bloom, which the City has gone away from in the last few years. “I think it’s something council should promote. I’d
like to see Weyburn put back in the competition,” she said. In terms of issues, Morrissette said she doesn’t have a vested interest of any kind, but wants to represent the voice of a working parent on council. While there are no women on council currently, it isn’t a driving reason for her to be running, although she admits she’s been hearing a lot of comments about it. “I feel I can bring a different perspective to council, as someone who just works in the community and is trying to make their way and raise a family here,” said Morrissette. She learned a lot from her four years on council previously, and has had time over the last four years to reflect about the things she did or didn’t do as a councillor. “I want to do a better job on council, and I would hope the community of Weyburn will give me that opportunity again,” she said. Continued on page 2
Weyburn Credit Union to pay City $1M for WRCC naming rights By Greg Nikkel The Weyburn Credit Union (WCU) and the City of Weyburn announced a new multi-year partnership that will see the new Weyburn Recreation and Cultural Centre named the Credit Union Spark Centre. The announcement was made at Saturday night’s drive-in movie fundraiser for the Weyburn Artistic Swimming Club held on the fairgrounds, in a commercial shown prior to each of the movies. Approved by Ci ty Council, Weyburn Credit Union will contribute $1 million to the City over 20 years, securing naming rights for the duration. In the coming months, the WCU brand will be visible on new signage and across all communication platforms. “When we entered the negotiations with the City of Weyburn last year, our
credit union, community and economy was in an entirely different place,” relates Lynn Colquhoun, Board Chair of Weyburn Credit Union, “but we believe in our community; it’s where we live, work and play. We believe in investing in our community to make it better, brighter and stronger. Although our landscape has changed, our beliefs have not. In fact, we feel investing in our community is more important now than ever.” “We’re very happy about it, because it just fits in with our beliefs and values. It supports the community sport, culture and arts, and it fits in so well. We just felt it fit as we’re trying to make a positive impact for the community. It just all lines up,” said Don Shumlich, CEO of the Weyburn Credit Union. Colquhoun noted the
name stems from the credit union’s logo of a round spark comprised of Ws, which they use in their logo and marketing efforts. “Even at the board table, we talk about sparking great thing in the community, so there will be a great display of the spark. We’re pretty fond of it,” she said. In explaining some of the rationale and thoughts of the board around making the decision to spend this level of money, Colquhoun said they reviewed what this can do in the community in terms of impact. “It won’t take away from member rewards. We’re not pulling money out of one pool to put into another. It’s other money. We’re not reducing our budgets in other areas, like Don’s office isn’t going to be reduced to a hole in the back room, and we
aren’t taking away any of the benefits for our staff,” she said. “It’s just something we can do.” As it’s spread out over 20 years, at about $50,000 a year, Shumlich pointed out this is part of marketing for the credit union, and is a way of giving money back to the community. “That’s where the benefit is, giving the money back. Hopefully this encourages other projects in giving money back. Weyburn and area is a great place to live, and it’s just going to make it a better place to live,” he said. He also noted that Weyburn Credit Union is owned by the people who bank with them and WCU has always used its profits for their members’ good. Colquhoun added that the institution is modeling for other community organizations, some of whom do business with
The Mainil Farms crew harvesting canaryseed
them, and encourages them to look for ways to give back to the community in various ways. “It can’t always be money, so it might be an event like this, for the Weyburn Artistic Swimming Club,” she said. “The City of Weyburn is extremely excited for the upcoming opening of the Credit Union Spark Centre in 2021,” said Andrew Crowe, Director of Leisure Services for the City of Weyburn. “The new leisure and arts facility is a major attraction in our community which will provide safe and healthy inclusive opportunities for years to come. We value the strong partnership with the Weyburn Credit Union and are thankful for their decision to invest back into our incredible city.” The Weyburn Recreation and Cultural Centre (WRCC) is a welcome
enhancement to the community. Currently under construction, the WRCC is set to open in September 2021, alongside the Legacy Park Elementary School. The gathering place will be completely accessible with barrier-free access points to the building and interior features including the art gallery, pottery studio, multipurpose rooms, indoor track, simulator room, mini gym, multi-use synthetic field, children’s play space and outdoor ice surface. WCU applauded the City of Weyburn on their forward-thinking vision for the community. Because their vision aligns with the City’s, WCU is proud to partner with the City and rename the multi-purpose sports, culture and recreation facility the Credit Union Spark Centre.
Review Photo 8233 — Greg Nikkel
Mainil Farms had five combines out on Friday on a field of canaryseed located northwest of Weyburn, with two grain carts emptying the crop from the leading two combines, one driven by Dale Mainil. The farmer estimated he and his crew were about 75 per cent done harvesting by the end of day Friday, with the Weyburn crop district at 62 per cent completion as of Thursday.