Yorkton This Week 2023-06-07

Sod turned on LDC plant expansion

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

A major expansion to the Louis Dreyfus Company canola crushing plant announced only

a few weeks ago was officially launched with a sod turning June 1. Premier Scott Moe said the day was “a very, very, exciting day in Yorkton and Saskatchewan.

The plant, which will double crush capacity to more than two million tonnes at the facility that was first announced back in 2006, is “a very significant investment in the

agriculture industry in Saskatchewan.”

Moe said it is investments such as the one LDC is making at its Yorkton facility which has helped Saskatchewan

grow in terms of population. “There are more people living in Saskatchewan than 13-years ago (when the plant was initially start-

ed,” observed Moe. “People are coming here because opportunities are here, like the one we see before us.”

Continued on Page A2

New home for library: The search is on

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The sale of the current library building in Yorkton has certainly been the most discussed

issue in the city in recent weeks. At this Monday’s regular meeting of Yorkton Council the sale was reviewed in a report by City Manager Lonnie

Kaal, a report that was ultimately filed without any other motion made.

At the April 24 Council meeting, all members of Council were in attendance, and the offer to

purchase was accepted on 93 Broadway Street West (library building), subject to providing public notice with regards to the price, she noted.

At that point the sale

was basically complete.

Technically, a report does not need to be brought back to Council as there were no “concerns” about the price or another purchaser indi-

cating their interest in purchasing the property. Since the acceptance of the offer was only subject to that criteria; we

Continued on Page A2

Yorkton shows deficit for 2022

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

While the numbers are preliminary, the 2022 Year-End Report for the City of Yorkton

shows a deficit of $123,036.

After a withdrawal of $148,000 from the COVID Safe Restart fund to cover losses at the Gallagher Centre, and $17,000 from the same fund

to cover water park losses, and allocations to reserves of $75,000 to Recreation and Community Services and $80,000 to Planning and Building Services the deficit

was $113,026, explained Jessica Matsalla - City Clerk with the city, at the regular meeting of Council Monday. The deficit will come from the city’s ‘Rainy Day Fund’

leaving a balance of $439,839, she said.

The biggest culprit in the eventual deficit was the snow that hit in 2022.

Continued on Page A2

Ottenbreit reflects on years as MLA

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

With a little more than a year until the next provincial election Greg Ottenbreit has announced he will not seek re-election.

Ottenbreit said the decision was actually made some 18 years ago when he was just considering seeking the Saskatchewan Party nod in the Yorkton constituency. Part of that process was to establish something of a plan, a plan that looked ahead to when he would

be 60 and that it might be the time to retire. “Sixty seemed a long way away, but now I’m close to 60,” he said, adding he feels “there is probably more for me to do,” and if he wants to explore those options, it was time to walk away from

being an MLA.

That said, Ottenbreit added it was still a big decision.

“When it came closer I was sort of having second thoughts,” he said, but

Continued on Page A2

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Brian Conn, LDC’s Country Manager for Canada speaks at Thursday’s event.

Continued from Page 1

In the specific case of canola, it has become a cornerstone of exports in Saskatchewan, continued Moe.

Exports to the United States were near $30 billion last year, with canola and its by-products accounting for $2.8 billion, or near 10 per cent, said Moe.

Saskatchewan exports to Mexico hit $1 billion for the first time, and canola was responsible for 20 to 25 per cent of that, he added.

Canola oil and canola seed were among Saskatchewan’s top agri-

Continued from Page 1 currently have a legal binding contract to sell this property, explained Kaal’s report.

Mayor Mitch Hippsley did point out Council can rescind any motion.

However, Kaal countered that the city would face costs associated with essentially breaking the deal.

“I strongly encourage you not to rescind this,” she told council, reiterating the threat of damages which she added, “. . . I do believe they would be significant.”

Council must have agreed as no motion to

Continued from Page 1

Overall public works experienced a deficit of $536,863, but snow removal and ice control was the big issue this year and were collectively over budget by nearly $1,010,660.

“This was a historic record for snowfall events in the year,” said

food exports in 2022, with a value of $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively. Canola oil was also the third largest export product to the United States in 2022, which saw a record $29.3 billion in exports to the nation.

Moe also stated the province has a goal of seeing 75 per cent of the canola grown in Saskatchewan crushed here.

“With this investment we’ll achieve that target,” he said.

Canora MLA Terry Dennis said the plant expansion is obviously

rescind the sale was made,

In terms of why the sale was initially considered Kaal’s report stated, “As a City we are continuously looking for ways to improve and create efficiencies while still being able to provide and maintain services to our residents.

Facilities are expensive to build and maintain, and optimizing facilities happens when multiple functions are housed in the same building. The savings are compounded when there is no duplication of foyers, bathrooms, parking,

Matsalla. “Typically the five-year average actual costs are used when budgeting for snow removal; and this record snow fall well exceeded that.” The City did withdraw $277,750 that was remaining in the snow removal reserve account to fund this overage.

LDC LIBRARY DEFICIT OTTENBREIT

Continued from Page 1 upon reflection realized it was the time to move on.

“It’s been a pretty good run,” he said with a smile.

But, life as an MLA comes with something of a cost too, said Ottenbreit.

“It’s always living in a fishbowl,” he said, adding criticisms do come with the job, but they also effect a person’s family. It’s a reality that has actually gotten worse through Ottenbreit’s time as MLA with the emergence of social media where even small things can become amplified with negativity.

important to the region, and builds on the decision by LDC in 2009 “to plant its roots right here.”

Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley said the LDC decision to initially build here, and now to expand, sends a definite message that Yorkton is a good place to do business. He added that it certainly helps that the city is well-served in terms of multiple highways accessing the city, both CP and CN rail lines accessing the city, and an aquifer water source that has capacity to serve industry needs.

janitorial, staff rooms etc. This reduces the space requirements and ongoing costs of operations.”

It also noted a change of venue for the library was hardly a new idea.

“In fact, the only reason it is at the current location is because Canada Safeway left and the City renovated this space in the 1980’s. When the City purchased the old Co-op (across from City Hall) in 1993, the library was going to be relocated there, (until the Casino came along). And again the location of the library was dis-

Protective service registered a deficit of $178,727.

“RCMP costs were net over budget by $132,000; while there were administrative salary savings of $57,000, revenues continue to be low from the backlog in the courts from COVID, offsetting these savings nearly

“We have it all right here in our province – in our city,” he said.

Hippsley said the plant expansion will generate millions in terms of the local economy, first with crews here through the construction phase, then with new plant jobs which will in turn push housing starts and similar ripple effects through the economy.

Dennis said the expansion shows that producers are adopting the latest technologies and innovations as they “produce the most sustainable canola in the world.”

cussed in 2003 when the Gallagher Centre was being upgraded, and again when the Regional College was being built. When the flood of 2010 happened, the library was temporarily relocated to the Parkland Mall and again there were mixed reviews; some considered it a “convenient” location and some did not,” detailed the report.

Following the motion passing to file Kaal’s report, Hippsley gave a Notice of Motion to rescind certain sections of the sale.

completely. The remainder of the overage comes from increased contract costs, which were the result of many factors including the increased salary and equipment costs that came out of the negotiations; while we did budget for a $660,000 increase to annual costs, the actual came in high-

André Roth, Global Head of Grains & Oilseeds for LDC Yorkton said the expansion is a strategic investment that supports the Group’s strategic growth plans and the company’s ongoing commitment to provide nourishment for people and livestock, as well as feedstock for renewable energy production.

Roth noted that the canola crush sector produces products that feed people, livestock, and can be used in the production of renewable energy.

“This development

The first motion was to rescind the section which would move the library to the Gallagher Centre to allow time to seek a possible alternate location.

And then to rescind the move to tender the work at the Gallagher Centre.

Both motions passed with only Councillor Chris Wyatt opposed to both.

Hippsley said his motions were “an excellent opportunity for thinking outside the box” in finding an alternate location that would fit better with the desire

er than anticipated by $130,000,” detailed the report circulated to Council.

Matsalla also noted this does not include the retroactive police payment of approximately $1 million that is still to be paid.

On the positive side tax and grant rev-

is a key investment,” he said.

When complete, the facility will have a crush capacity of over two million metric tons, more than double its current capacity. LDC initially opened the facility in 2009, and currently employs approximately 120 people. The new addition, which Brian Conn, LDC’s Country Manager for Canada explained is a stand alone facility, allowing the current facility to continue to crush through construction, will require an additional 80 staff.

of many in the community to have a more centralized location with better access and more room.

“It’s (the library) the community living room” he said. “What I heard the other night (presentations made to Council May 15) the Gallagher Centre was not going to suffice.”

Coun. Quinn Haider asked if the process could mean temporary closing of library services as they must vacate the current location by fall, Kaal said that could be the case given the tight timelines.

enue saw a surplus of $610,469. Interest and penalties had a large surplus to budget of nearly $580,000; this was caused mainly by our interest earnings on our short term deposits, with interest nearly tripling during the year, explained Matsalla.

Interestingly when asked about career highlights and disappointments the same thing topped both lists – a new hospital for Yorkton.

“A hospital is very close to everybody,” he said, adding he has been pushing for a new facility in Yorkton.

During his time as Minister of Health Ottenbreit said he recognized when looking at the portfolio provincially a new hospital in Prince Albert was a higher priority because of what it provided in terms of health care to Northern Saskatchewan and because a new facility there would take

Seniors, Parents, Children!

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pressure off services in Saskatoon.

A new hospital in Weyburn was also a higher priority given the condition of the existing structure and its importance to the southeast area of the province.

But, Yorkton needs a new hospital too, and it’s finally moving forward, assured Ottenbreit noting dollars allocated for planning and scoping, and announcements of support from Premier Scott Moe.

That the hospital is moving forward accomplishes a long-held goal for Ottenbreit, who also admitted it is an issue of some disappointment that it took so long, but a provincial government must deal with priorities and finances with every decision, and now is finally Yorkton’s time.

Another hospital is on Ottenbreit’s highlight list too. He was minister when the first shovel was turned on

the children’s hospital in Saskatoon and was there when it was complete as well.

Ottenbreit said it was a case of the facility serving a definite need.

“Seeing children with the same sort of things our son went through, it was a pretty satisfying experience,” he said.

Ottenbreit said he is proud of his time as

health minister noting his five years in the portfolio is the longest since the Saskatchewan Party took power.

“Some of my personal experience lended themselves to the file,” he suggested, adding he went into the position with “a willingness to listen,” and an understanding the importance “of building relationships with a bunch of different people.”

It was an approach Ottenbreit said helped him enhance EMS services through his tenure, and undertake replacing the STARS fleet of helicopters, and the aforementioned children’s hospital.

Locally, Ottenbreit said he is proud of the growth the province has been involved with in Yorkton. The list includes funding for a portion of the water treatment plant, affordable housing, human services, health professional training programs at Parkland College, and most recently dollars for the just started York Road project.

The college’s Trades and Technology Centre,

$20 million to refurbish Yorkton Regional High School and a new headquarters for the Good Spirit School Division were also on Ottenbreit’s list in terms of education.

“It’s impressive what’s been done when you look in the rearview mirror,” offered a reflective Ottenbreit.

So does Ottenbreit have any words of wisdom for whoever may be his successor?

“Be humble enough to know you don’t know it all,” he said.

Next, Ottenbreit said an MLA “must be willing to build relationships . . . to work with people.”

And, what of Ottenbreit himself?

“That’s a good question,” he said. “I honestly don’t have any specific plan.”

Ottenbreit said first he has a year left as MLA ahead of the next election, and then he will look at options, although he said his long-time efforts with the Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for a Cure initiative will continue, as will a long held love of flying.

Greg Ottenbreit

Up Front

Carpet leads to monster truck passion

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

If you like trucks –really, really big trucks – then the Outlaws of Motorsports Monster Truck Show in Yorkton this past weekend was the place to be.

The motorsport promotion put monster trucks through their paces with a show Friday and Saturday. Both shows were in front of the recently renovated Legacy Co-op Grandstand at the Yorkton Exhibition Assoc. grounds.

The show was one which will excite fans for various reasons, offered show MC Dallas

Glenn-Rogers.

“No person is the same,” he said. No two trucks are alike either.

And therein is why people often love the sport matching their interests to a truck or driver.

For example one truck is fashioned as a rusted out 1932 hot rods, which attracts some fans.

Then there is ‘Weekend Warrior’ driven by a 19-year-old rookie, a combo that draws a different contingent of fans.

It’s all about picking a favourite and enjoying the action, said GlennRogers.

And the action just gets better and better, he added.

Glenn-Rogers admitted a decade ago he thought monster truck racing was at its peak, and wondered then what more could be accomplished.

But, today, when he watches old videos, the action was not close to what it is now.

“The stunts are so much crazier. The trucks so much more reliable,” he said.

In Glenn-Rogers’ own case a love of monster trucks blossomed early – very early.

“Really when I was two-years-old I saw my first monster truck and

knew that’s what I want to do when I grow up. It was always that dream,” he said. And the dream has come true as GlennRogers enjoys a dual role in the sport, sometimes announcing shows as he will do in Yorkton, and at other shows climbing into the seat of his own truck ‘Crash Test Dummy’.

Glenn-Rogers said doing both has allowed things to stay fresh. Anything can become a grind when you do it every weekend, and he is at shows almost the whole year. He said he has only had a couple of weekends off since early January, and has one

more open through until November. It is a schedule that over the years has taken Glenn-Rogers across North America to spots in Europe.

So as an MC and driver, which does he prefer?

Glenn-Rogers said he has been asked that before.

“They’re both fun in their own way,” he offered, adding “it breaks things up. It’s not just announcing, or driving a monster truck every weekend . . . It helps not to burn out.”

But back to GlennRogers’ early desire for monster trucks. Many kids have dreams but they change. So what

has kept his interest for years?

“Honestly. I’ve always wondered that,” he said, adding he knows when he was young “the only toy I ever wanted was monster truck toys.”

The reason, well yes he liked the trucks, but carpet played a role too.

“The big wheels rolled on carpet,” he said, adding other small vehicles didn’t. “. . . I could play with monster trucks anywhere I want; out in the dirt, on carpet, on asphalt.”

That ability to always enjoy his already favoured toys might be an early influence pushing him toward the sport, said Glenn-Rogers.

The monster trucks in action Saturday in Yorkton.

Alberta results mirror rural urban split

MURRAY MANDRYK

Politics

Stop me if you've heard this one before, but the great divide in this country is between rural and urban.

Not exactly surprising news? This is true, but what might be surprising is that this is now a thing everywhere — even in Alberta where the oil sector once united everyone from northerners in the oilsands around Fort McMurray to the Leduc derricks to the Calgary office towers.

Here is something to think about for a moment: After last week’s Alberta election, Calgary is now an NDP city.

The majority of its provincial representatives are now New Democrats —14 NDP seats compared with 12 for the United Conservative Party.

In Edmonton it was even more dramatic with all 20 seats going NDP. Premier Danielle Smith is contemplating setting up an Edmonton “council” to get feedback on issues in a city where the UPC couldn’t elect a member.

Meanwhile in the rest of “rural” Alberta, it remains solidly Conservative blue with 37 going UPC and only four NDP seats.

This is not to suggest that last win by the Premier Smith’s UPC that produced a 48-38-1 win doesn’t firmly restate that Alberta remains a “conservative” province. (One MLA originally running for the UPC will sit as an independent after making inappropriate comments during the campaign.)

While much is being made of the fact that this is the closest Alberta election in history, that seems a much bigger deal to Albertans than the rest who haven’t, historically, always voted in large conservative landslides.

What is, essentially, a 10-seat majority is an exceedingly workable and Smith’s government will have no problem getting its bills passed.

Moreover, there were a considerable number of close seats after the counting of the Alberta, the majority are close NDP seats they stand to lose.

For example, former Alberta health minister and current Justice Minister Tyler Shandro lost in Calgary Acadia by a mere seven votes.

Other UPC cabinet ministers included Health Minister Jason Copping in Calgary Varsity, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Nicholas Milliken in Calgary Currie and Immigration and Deputy Premier Kaycee Madu in Edmonton Southwest.

You are probably recognizing the pattern.

Alberta is still conservative and — if anything — last week’s election results was the last best chance for the NDP to ever gain power.

But those results in the two largest cities of Calgary and Edmonton — 1.6 million and 1.5 million, respectively — represent a significant difference in the mindset of voters.

“Urban Albertans” had significantly Smith’s missteps that included her notions that those who violated public health orders during COVID19 deserved special considerations from the Premier’s office or perhaps the justice department. By contrast, “rural Albertans” who demonstrated significantly more opposition to COVID-19 measures and who seemed more supportive of her idea for a provincial police force to replace the rural RCMP were considerably less worried about her ideas and the kind of government she and the UPC might provide in the next years.

Sound familiar?

Since winning power in this province in 2007, the Saskatchewan Party here had united the province under a conservative — especially since 2011 when it reduced the NDP to a dozen seats.

However, a recent Insightrix Research poll suggest the popular vote numbers in Regina and Saskatoon pretty much mirror those in Edmonton and Calgary in last week’s election.

In fact, across throughout this country we're seeing a repeat of this phenomena in which the larger the centre you live in, the more likely you are to vote something other than conservative.

Of course, this tendency has always existed, but it’s been emphasized of late — perhaps because of the varying impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or people taking their cue from American politics or the urban-centric policies of Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.

Whatever the case, it’s now happening everywhere, widening the urban/rural divide — even in Alberta.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.

◆Editorial◆

More chapters in library tale still to be told

For anyone still clinging to the hope Council might rescind the approved sale of the current Public Library Building it did not happen.

A report on the sale was given at Council’s regular meeting Monday, but the report was filed without motion.

In the end, it was obvious Yorkton Council painted themselves into a corner with the sale, leaving themselves no way out. Of course it was also rather obvious Council was woefully oblivious to the importance of downtown location, easy access and sufficient room were to many in the city.

And, no effort was made to ask the community for feedback on the sale and move before it was already too late to alter the course.

There is a business aspect to the decision, back filling empty city space at the Gallagher Centre, and generating tax dollars off the existing building, questions remain such as will the business model rule now?

Is a for sale sign to be posted on a facility such as Deer Park Golf Course where a sale would get the city out from under a $7 million payment schedule on the clubhouse, would divest itself of a property barely operating a break even on operations each year, and could generate big tax dollars.

And, why was a proposed pump track development where dollars were budgeted put on hold pending a recreation review being undertaken in the city, but the library building could be sold and services moved without referencing the upcoming review?

It has ultimately been a very messy and badly handled process that should leave a bad taste in the mouth of even sale proponents, and no one on Council can feel pleased with how it all played out.

But, then Monday night a glimmer of hope regarding the library came through thanks to Mayor Mitch Hippsley.

The first motion was to rescind the

section which would move the library to the Gallagher Centre to allow time to seek a possible alternate location.

And, then a second motion to rescind the move to tender the work at the Gallagher Centre. Both motions passed with only Councillor Chris Wyatt opposed to both.

Hippsley said his motions were “an excellent opportunity for thinking outside the box” in finding an alternate location that would fit better with the desire of many in the community to have a more centralized location with better access and more room.

“It’s (the library) the community living room,” he said. “What I heard the other night (presentations made to Council May 15) the Gallagher Centre was not going to suffice.”

Of course the question is where is better?

Well the obvious answer is the roomy former liquor board store building right in the middle of the city.

Whether the building is available is a question, but hopefully Hippsley was whispering in Premier Scott Moe’s ear when he visited June 1, that the city is interested.

Parking is ample.

Being right next to the City Centre Park is ideal for programming.

The basically open space should be rather quick to redesign.

There will be a cost, but the city has $1.5 million from the sale, and Councillor Chris Wyatt pegged annual savings on the sale and taxes generated conservatively at $100,000, so the start of a payment is obvious.

Add in new ideas like selling naming rights to the library, and the framework to make it work starts to take shape.

And, if it costs the city more, well when you make a mess as the city surely has in this library debacle, you have to be willing to pay the clean-up costs.

Wherever the library goes, it is to be hoped it is better received than the Gallagher Centre location has been.

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Welcome to ‘Wordy Wednesday’ brought to you by our friends at Yorkton Public Library, (including Slo the friendly sloth), and appearing here courtesy of Yorkton This Week. Happy June! Flavedo is the word of the week, which refers to the colored outer layer of the rind of a citrus fruit. Cooks often call this part the zest. Based on its definition, you may think flavedo is a combination of flavor and bravado because of its refreshing taste. But flavedo instead comes from the New Latin word flavedo, meaning “yellow color,” the word’s etymology pointing to the shiny yellow rinds of the lemons. By the way, the whitish, spongy inner part of the rind of a citrus fruit is called albedo (Latin albedo means “whiteness, white color.”) For example, the lime’s flavedo is full of x essential oils that add a distinctive, earthy tang to desserts, drinks, and plenty of savory dishes, too. (Merriam- Webster.com) Cheers Lemonade on this hot summer day!

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Ribbon cut on Logan Green Pathways Project

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The Logan Green Pathway Project was completed last year, but the ribbon was officially cut on the $832,890 project today.

The event was also the kick-off for Parks and Recreation Month. The month-long celebration in Saskatchewan is a way to celebrate the benefits people get from parks and outdoor recreation spaces.

Construction on the Logan Green project began in the summer of 2021. Work involved retrofitting and upgrading an existing 2.23 kilometre-long gravel pathway to pavement, along with the installation of solar lights and associated works.

Construction was completed in 2022.

Funding for the project came from the three levels of government.

The Government of Canada invested $331,063 toward Yorkton’s project and the Government of Saskatchewan contributed $277,602.

The City was responsible for funding the remainder of the project.

“It’s a great example of what we can all achieve together,” noted Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “We’re always so much better together.”

“A trail system is one of the best ways for Canadians to discover their own community – it allows people to be active while finding out about new local businesses and enjoying nature,” said the

Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities via a release. “Through our support for the Logan Green Pathway Project, we’re investing in Yorkton’s quality of life and economic vitality.”

Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said the paved pathways certainly enhance opportunities for wheelchair access, skateboarders, roller bladers and bikers.

It also makes snow clearing much easier improving winter access to the pathways. The lighting also increases access, in particular in the winter where is gets dark early, said Ottenbreit.

“It’s a low cost, or no cost, option to stay

active,” he said.

Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley said he is among those who enjoy the trails.

“I come out often,” adding the botanical garden and pathways of

Logan Green “is a real little gem for us.”

Larry Hall, a director with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association said parks are important places.

“Parks like Logan

Green are in the heart of our communities,” he said, adding they offer much from a place to stay active to experiencing nature.

“In short parks are where life happens.”

Parks and Rec Month in city

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The City of Yorkton is going to provide $80,000 toward upgrades at the Gallagher Centre for spaces used by the Junior Terriers.

“At the May 15, 2023 regular meeting of City Council, the Yorkton Terriers presented a request for financial assistance for improvements to team space within the Gallagher Centre,” explained Taylor Morrison, Gallagher

Centre General Manager with the city during the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

At that time Council requested Administration bring a report back to Council with funding options for consideration.

The proposed work covers several areas within the Westland Insurance Arena.

“As noted in the Yorkton Terrier presentation, this renovation project aims to improve Club spaces within the Gallagher Centre’s

Westland Arena. These leased areas include the Terrier Dressing Room, Terrier Coaches’ Office, and the Terrier Training/ Equipment Room. The identified improvements do not appear to be structural in nature, but rather are cosmetic and done in an effort to elevate the team and player experience while calling the Gallagher Centre home,” explained Morrison.

The Club has also identified improvements that will require involvement from the City as they

are attached to and form part of, building systems that support the entire building.

“Consideration will need to be given to building systems to ensure upgrades are compatible and satisfy any building code, fire code, or other regulations regarding heating, cooling, and building ventilation. While cosmetic work may not require building permits or licenses, some aspects of the desired improvements will need involvement of

City Building Officials, Fire Department, or other agencies to facilitate code and regulation compliance,” said Morrison.

Overall, the Yorkton Terriers had indicated the anticipated project budget as $140,000.00, and further through community fundraising and sponsorship have secured approximately $40,000.00 in funding and that fundraising efforts are continuing.

The financial assistance requested from the City is $80,000.00.

While Administration provided several options, the one Council unanimously supported was to approve the Yorkton Terrier’s request for financial assistance of $80,000.00 toward the Yorkton Terrier Dressing Room Improvement Project, coming from the City’s Rainy Day Reserve account, and further authorize Administration to enter into a funding agreement ensuring adherence to the City’s Bylaws, Policies and legislated requirements.

Premier Scott Moe at podium and MLA Greg Ottenbreit at the ribbon cutting for Logan Green Pathways Project June 1.

June 7 - June 13, 2023

Monday, June 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

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City RCMP..................................306-786-2400

Engineering Department............306-786-1710

Environmental Services.............306-828-2470

Fire Hall.....................................306-786-1795

Gallagher Centre........................306-786-1740

Gloria Hayden Community Centre.....................306-786-1750

Parks, Playgrounds, trees, Outdoor Spaces.........................306-786-1750

Program Registrations...............306-786-1740

Property Sales............................306-786-1730

Public Works..............................306-786-1760

Recreation & Community Service.......................................306-786-1750

Tax Department..........................306-786-1736

Water Billing Department...........306-786-1726

June 7 - June 13, 2023

Next Council Meeting

Monday, June 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Request for RFQ

Name of RFQ: Chemical Shed

RFQ must be received before 2:00 p.m. on June 9, 2023

Please submit RFQ through Biddingo

Details of Proposal:

The City is soliciting quotes for the purchase of one (1) Chemical Shed to be placed at the City of Yorkton Cemetery.

Specifications are available at: www.biddingo.com/yorkton

RFQ shall remain open for acceptance by the City and irrevocable for thirty (30) calendar days following the date specified for closing.

Information Contact

Enquiries regarding the proposal procedure and particulars can be directed to: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

The City reserves the right to reject any or all RFP Lowest or any proposal not necessarily accepted.

Request for Tenders

Name of Tender: Gallagher Centre Flexihall and Ag Pavilion Lighting

Tender must be received before 4:00 p.m. on June 19, 2023.

Tender will be received through the City of Yorkton’s e-bidding system at www.biddingo.com/yorkton

Details of Tender:

The City of Yorkton is requesting tenders from interested vendors for a two-part lighting project.

Part One The removal, supply, and installation of LED lighting and the installation of and power cord reels in the Gallagher Centre Flexihall.

Part Two The removal, supply, and installation of LED lighting in the Gallagher Centre Ag Pavilion.

Specifications are available at: Online at www.biddingo.com/yorkton

Tender shall remain open for acceptance by the City and irrevocable for thirty (30) calendar days following the date specified for closing.

Tenders received after the date and time specified for closing will be marked late and returned unopened.

Contact Person

Enquiries regarding the tender procedure and particulars can be directed to:

Kurt Stechyshyn Facilities Manager Recreation & Community Services City of Yorkton

Phone: 306-786-1750

Email: parksandrec@yorkton.ca

The City reserves the right to reject any or all tender. Lowest or any proposal not necessarily accepted.

306-786-1700

Couple talks of land sharing

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer Morley

and Paula Maier live on a farm south of Yorkton.

Recently they chose to add their farm to the Treaty Land Sharing Network.

Saturday the couple hosted a gathering to share with neighbours about what the network is, and why they joined.

The TLSN “is a group of farmers, ranchers, and other landholders who have come together to begin the crucial work of honouring Treaties,” details treatylandsharingnetwork.ca. “In the spirit of sharing the land, we welcome First Nations and Métis people to access the land that we farm to practice their way of life. We are committed to implementing the Treaty relationship, engaging in ongoing

learning together as we practice being Treaty people, and establishing a different way forward for rural Saskatchewan

“Members of the Treaty Land Sharing Network welcome Indigenous people to gather plants and medicines, hunt, and practice ceremony on the land that we farm. We believe this is a critical step toward upholding our responsibilities as Treaty people. The Treaty Land Sharing Network currently includes 46 locations and over 20,000 acres across Treaty 4 and Treaty 6. Our goal is to continue to expand the network of land that can be accessed, and we are always looking for new members.”

When it came to reasons to join the Network Morley Maier said while there were “lots of good

reasons,” it came down to the short answer “we know our history . . . It’s not a good history.

“We don’t like it. We don’t want to be part of it anymore.”

Maier said being near the Metis community at Crescent Lake and the Little Bone Indian Reserve is part of it.

“This area has a lot of history and much of it is not good history,” he said.

For example it was in 1926 Chief Kinistino was beaten by four RCMP, and their tents torn down, as they were to be moved to the Qu’Appelle Valley.

And in a 1906 Manitoba Free Press article the Saltcoats community was praised for how well the settlers were doing including “driving the red from their idle haunts,” said Maier.

Joining the networks

is about working for something better today, with being part of the effort doing some of the ongoing work of reconciliation, said Maier.

Putting up the signs that their land was accessible was a message, that “whatever history was it can be and should be something better for the future,” said Maier.

Maier said he wasn’t suggesting neighbours should sign up, but it is an option to consider.

In offering an opening prayer and remarks Ross Cadotte said the network is an important step.

“It opens the door . . . to what the original intent of treaties was,” he said.

Cadotte said access to the land to hunt and collect plants was part of the treaty because it was a way to ensure they could feed their families,

to put food on the table, and that remains important today.

Cadotte said the network takes a step back to honouring the treaties cooperatively.

“We need to create this kind of alliance,” he said, adding he credits those involved for an important effort. “. .

.

Today you are undertaking a very honourable thing . . . We acknowledge you for your courage to stand up against the norm.”

In establishing efforts such as the network young people can hopefully have a better tomorrow, said Cadotte.

The Network is about forging a renewed partnership suggested member Mary Smiley.

“Sharing does bring new opportunities – new relationships,” she said.

Smiley outlined the key principles which

she said focus on effort to honour treaty obligations. They included;

* Indigenous Peoples hold both Inherent and Treaty Rights to move freely throughout these territories and to use and steward the plants and animals.

* Access to land is critical for the cultural survival and livelihood of Indigenous people.

* As Treaty people, settlers have a responsibility to share the land they currently steward and work to actively remove barriers to safe access.

* It is critical for settlers to engage in ongoing learning together to deepen their practice of the Treaty relationship, even when this work requires them to set aside their own ways of doing things, challenge their perceptions, and feel uncomfortable.

YBID June Days kick off Jamaican style

The Yorkton Business Improvement District has planned themed activities in the City Centre Park for every Thursday this month.

The weekly event in City Centre Park kicked-

off today with a Jamaican theme that included music and authentic food while supplies lasted with a line-up of eager event goers looking to enjoy the food fare. With the weekly events

in June YBID encourages businesses to take part and put some specials on for the day, as the activities are designed to bring people to the downtown.

People are of course

encouraged to come out and enjoy the activities which will include live entertainment, activities, food trucks, face painting, kid’s activities and games, and more! To discuss more or

take part by volunteering or bringing out cultural crafts or more, call Donna Brothwell, Executive Director of the YBID at 306-783-9243.

Upcoming:

June 8, Vietnamese/

Philippines theme

June 15, Ukrainian theme

June 22, South Asian theme and Holi

Celebration

June 29, Nigerian/ Canadian theme

Jamaican food and culture was on display June 2.

GDAG showcasing local artists

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Godfrey Dean Art Gallery is holding it’s Local Artist Showcase from now until June 30.

“We have 55 participating artists,” said Kelly Litzenberger, Manager of GDAG, adding, “the last

three years we’ve had 55 artists.”

Works from the local talent include wood carvings, sculptural work, photography, accrylic and oil work paintings.

“We’ve got a lot of different things,” said Litzenberger, “there’s a lot of diversity to our art community here . .

Whiskers & Tails

. we’ve got a lot of new artists that have joined our collective here and some artists that have just changed mediums . . . we’re seeing a lot of different growth from our community as well.”

Reception for the local artists will take place June 17 at the GDAG.

DEWORMING Join the fight against parasites!

Did you know that having your pets regularly dewormed is essential to preserving both their health and yours?

Deworming treatments not only protect your furry friends from intestinal parasites like tapeworms, but they also defend your family against certain diseases that can spread to humans (zoonosis).

Hence, by bringing your cat or dog to the vet for regular deworming treatments, you’re taking precautionary steps as a responsible pet owner toward the well-being of the whole family.

How often?

It’s recommended that you have your pets dewormed every three to four months,

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite and a distended belly are all common indicators of a parasitic infection. If your cat or dog is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, consult a trusted veterinarian without delay.

especially if your trusted companions spend a significant amount of time outdoors. It’s also important to note that if you have several animals, you should always have them dewormed simultaneously to avoid potential contamination. Furthermore, puppies and kittens should undergo deworming treatments more often than full-grown pets, as their immune systems are still developing and thus more vulnerable to infection. For more information, consult your local veterinarian!

Works from local artists will be on display at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery until June 30, with a reception for the artists on June 17.

Staff Photo by Calvin Daniels

Nursing home parade

City partnering with Terriers on arena upgrades

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The City of Yorkton is going to provide $80,000 toward upgrades at the Gallagher Centre for spaces used by the Junior Terriers.

“At the May 15, 2023 regular meeting of City Council, the Yorkton Terriers presented a request for financial assistance for improvements to team space within the Gallagher Centre,” explained Taylor Morrison, Gallagher Centre

General Manager with the city during the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

At that time Council requested Administration bring a report back to Council with funding options for consideration.

The proposed work covers several areas within the Westland Insurance Arena.

“As noted in the Yorkton Terrier presentation, this renovation project aims to improve Club spaces within the Gallagher Centre’s

Westland Arena. These leased areas include the Terrier Dressing Room, Terrier Coaches’ Office, and the Terrier Training/Equipment Room. The identified improvements do not appear to be structural in nature, but rather are cosmetic and done in an effort to elevate the team and player experience while calling the Gallagher Centre home,” explained Morrison.

The Club has also identified improvements that will require involvement from the City as

they are attached to and form part of, building systems that support the entire building. “Consideration will need to be given to building systems to ensure upgrades are compatible and satisfy any building code, fire code, or other regulations regarding heating, cooling, and building ventilation. While cosmetic work may not require building permits or licenses, some aspects of the desired improvements will need involvement of City Building Officials,

Fire Department, or other agencies to facilitate code and regulation compliance,” said Morrison.

Overall, the Yorkton Terriers had indicated the anticipated project budget as $140,000.00, and further through community fundraising and sponsorship have secured approximately $40,000.00 in funding and that fundraising efforts are continuing.

The financial assistance requested from the City is $80,000.00.

While Administration

provided several options, the one Council unanimously supported was to approve the Yorkton Terrier’s request for financial assistance of $80,000.00 toward the Yorkton Terrier Dressing Room Improvement Project, coming from the City’s Rainy Day Reserve account, and further authorize Administration to enter into a funding agreement ensuring adherence to the City’s Bylaws, Policies and legislated requirements.

The Yorkton & District Nursing Home held their annual parade May 27. Families and volunteers came out for the occasion and youths from local schools were in attendance to hand out necklaces, painted rocks and cards to the joy of the residents.

Submitted

Photo

Change needed to move forward

We all need to be willing to change if the efforts of truth and reconciliation are going to heal old wounds and build a better foundation for our future.

Part of the process is recognizing what treaties are.

While I am in no way an expert I do recognize they are far more than the First Nations giving up their lands in exchange for small tracts of reserve land.

For many non-aboriginals it is sadly what they think the treaties were, although to be fair, given the history which shows treaties ignored and broken, it would be

difficult to fully appreciate the documents. Even history taught in the classroom has been decidedly whitewashed for decades.

Clearly it is time for a change, and one small step in that effort seems to be the Treaty Land Sharing Network.

“Sharing land is fundamental to the Treaty agreements that are intended to govern our coexistence on these territories,” notes the organization’s website at treatylandsharingnetwork.ca

“The Treaty Land Sharing Network is a group of farmers, ranchers, and other land-

Agriculture THIS WEEK

Calvin Daniels

holders who have come together to begin the crucial work of honouring Treaties. In the spirit of sharing the land, we welcome First Nations and Métis people to access the land that we farm to practice their way of life. We are committed to implementing the Treaty relationship,

engaging in ongoing learning together as we practice being Treaty people, and establishing a different way forward for rural Saskatchewan.” It seems like such a simple thing, allowing controlled access for First Nations and Métis people to access the

land – it is essentially being a good neighbour.

The network asks those wishing to access land – foot traffic only –to call ahead.

If a piece of land has electric fences and livestock grazing access might be controlled, but the idea is to let First Nations and Métis hunt and gather as treaties laid out years ago.

It is less a brilliant new idea and more a recognition of what was agreed to when the treaties were signed. At the time there was a level of trust and expectation that the treaties were a foundation for a better future for all. It should

have been that, but we know treaties were too often simply ignored and trampled.

Will the network fix the past?

Not even close.

Will it make a huge difference today?

Probably, there will be less usage of the lands than might be expected, building small bridges, but not having a huge effect.

But, it is a step, and the old adage about a long journey starting with a single step comes to mind. We have a long way to go on this journey but finally we seem to be starting along the right path.

Dr. Brass School learns of ag

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Students at Dr. Brass School in Yorkton were given some insights into where food comes from and enjoyed a good breakfast too Thursday.

The school was one of several in Saskatchewan taking part in the ‘Breakfast from the Farm’ program. Through the program, Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan provides a free meal featuring Saskatchewan-grown foods to 1600 school kids.

Students and teachers also receive a bag with activities, recipes,

pencils and snacks from Saskatchewan farmer groups.

There were also online learning courses, a live question and answer with a farmer, cook-along videos, virtual farm tours and agriculture trivia contests for students to learn more about Saskatchewan food and farming.

Susan Muir was one of the Dr. Brass teacher involved. She said the program reinforces other teaching elements focused on food.

“Presently, I teach Grade 3. I have been a Little Green Thumbs Teacher for the past

seven years,” she said, explaining “I have a small garden in the classroom -- much smaller than in previous years. We harvested our crop and at the moment have plants under our lights.

“Teaching children where their food comes from is my mission. I plan to continue to plant ‘seeds of inspiration’. I continue to use Agriculture in the Classroom resources as they are exceptional, engaging, and also free! I am so grateful for the sponsors of Ag in the Classroom.”

The program engages students too.

“Our students

are excited to learn about food grown here in Saskatchewan.

Submitted Photos

Connecting children to where their food comes from provides opportunities to learn about the importance of healthy eating and food sus-

tainability,” said Muir. “Hands-on experiences in gardening create and foster wonder while becoming stewards of our environment.”

Sp orts

Children’s book tells tale of Gordie Howe’s first skate

In terms of Saskatchewan sport no name is more iconic than Gordie Howe.

For those of us of a certain age – grey hair a likely sign – he is the greatest hockey player ever.

I have never been a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, and evolved to the point I barely pay attention to non-Canadianbased teams – by the way who is winning the Stanley Cup finals? – I was always a Howe fan.

I recall in Grade 7, we are talking many, many years ago having to do a speech in class, and my topic was Howe. There was so much to tell classmates about in terms of Howe’s NHL career, and he would play several more seasons following, as I recall my excellent speech.

But for many Howe is as much myth and hockey star. He played his final NHL game as a Hartford Whaler in 1980. He was 52 that season and appeared in 80 games and had 41 points, which really tells you just how exceptional Howe was.

So while I was aware of

the greatness it was surprising to see a recently released children’s book from Thistledown Press in Saskatoon was about Gordie Howe.

The book arrived and it is such a delight even though I am well past being a child.

Gordie’s Skate, by Bill Waiser, tells the story of how Howe got his first skate – eventually he would get two – and how that set him on his path to greatness.

Waiser writes:

At the first signs of winter – bare branches, frosty mornings, a few lazy snowflakes – Gordie Howe would get excited.

Winter meant skating and hockey.

Gordie had one passion: playing hockey. He would have played all day and night if he could ... even in his sleep.

To him, it was as natural as walking.

“Gordie’s Skate was inspired by Howe’s autobiography Mr. Hockey: My Story (2014) and his memories of growing up in Saskatoon during the 1930s,” notes Waiser in an author’s note on the book. “The story about

CALVIN DANIELS Sports

Gordie’s mom buying the sack with the old pair of men’s skates has been regularly featured in newspaper stories about Howe. Her kindness resonated with me, reminding me of my own parents who came of age during the depression and who taught me the importance of helping others.”

What is unusual here is that Waiser is a noted writer of history, and while there is a thread of history here, the medium of a children’s book is different.

“I deal in stories,” said Waiser in a recent interview with Yorkton This Week. “I use a lot of stories in my writing to connect with people.”

In the case of the children’s book he said the kernel of a story about

Howe’s first skate was one he had seen on more than one occasion and it finally became a children’s book idea.

“It’s a different type of challenge,” said Waiser, adding you write differently for children but you are still telling a story too. “. . . It was a lot of fun.” There are important themes in the book, added Waiser, elements such as Howe’s perseverance to become a player, and the kindness of his mother helping a neighbour which ultimately led to the first skates.

A children’s book also typically needs illustrations, in this case the artist is Leanne Franson from Martensville.

Waiser said Franson provided some “draft sketches that we liked” and from there they knew she was the one to make the book visually appealing – a key in attracting

attention to the buyers of children’s books.

So for younger readers, a bit about Howe from Waiser’s author notes; “Gordie Howe (1928-2016), was just eighteen years old when he began his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946. He would help lead the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups (1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955). During his twentyfive seasons with Detroit, Gordie would be named the NHL’s most valuable player (the Hart Memorial Trophy) six times. He also once held the NHL record for most goals and most points. Howe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of

Fame in 1972, but came out of retirement two years later to play with his sons on the Houston Aeros in the new World Hockey Association. He spent his last season with the NHL’s Hartford Whalers in 1979-80. When Gordie finally hung up his skates, he had played professional hockey in five decades. It’s little wonder that he was affectionately called, ‘Mr. Hockey’.”

This is a book many grandparent hockey fans are likely to purchase for grandchildren.

“I hope so,” admitted Waiser, adding the response to both his and Thistledown’s first children’s book has been positive.

Supers best Pirates

The Canora Supers bested the Parkland Pirates 13-6 in their June 5th South East Senior Baseball League matchup at Jubilee

Staff Photo

Diamond. The Pirates will look to bounce back from the loss in a June 9th match against the Yorkton Marlins.

Local footballers B.C. bound

Kane Procyshen and Aidan Leslie are headed west to continue their football careers. The pair, both members of the Yorkton Regional High School Raiders Gridders in 2022, have signed letters to play with the Nanaimo Vancouver Island Raiders this fall. The Vancouver Island Raiders are a Canadian Junior Football team based in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Raiders play in the six-team B.C. Football

Parkland Expos win Quinn Stevenson Memorial

YORKTON – The U18 AA Vale Country Parkland Expos competed in the Quinn Stevenson Memorial tournament May 26-28 in Saskatoon.

Conference. Procyshen will anchor the offense providing pass protection as well as being a force in the run game for the VI Raiders while Leslie’s skill set will be an addition to the Raiders air attack as a wide receiver allowing them to have a vertical threat in the passing game, offered Yorkton coach Jason Boyda. The Island Raider season begins July 29.

The Expos went undefeated in the tournament that featured 24 teams from Alta, Sask, and Man.

The expos defeated the Regina Buffaloes in

game won, the Saskatoon Brave Bashers in game two, Kindersley Royals in game three, a semi-final versus the Regina Pacers and defeated the Regina White Sox 5-2 in the final.

Staff Photo by Calvin Daniels

Submitted Photo

The U18 AA Vale Country Parkland Expos went undefeated in the Quinn Stevenson Memorial Tournament in Saskatoon.

Obituaries

Obituaries

BREZINSKI - The family of Brent Brezinski sadly announce his passing on June 1, 2023. He passed away at the Yorkton Union Hospital after a short illness. Brent is survived by his loving parents Ernie and Lois Brezinski and siblings Michelle (Mike) Haczkewicz, Curtis (Carrie), nieces Jennifer and Kelsey and nephew Joshua. He will be remembered by his aunts and uncles Gloria Brezinski, Phillip and Jane Brezinski, Glen and Rose Brezinski, Fran Bradshaw, Elaine and Garry Johnson along with numerous cousins and friends. Brent is preceded in death by grandparents John and Lena Brezinski, John and Mary Kiniak, aunts and uncles Gloria Kiniak, Walter and Stella Brezinsky, Lawrence Brezinski, Ruth and Joe Kozak, and cousins Glenda Brezinsky and Robin Brezinski. Brent was born and raised in Yorkton. He was a stellar athlete competing in basketball and volleyball. He was also highly academic. He found much joy in family get togethers, playing games likecanasta and dominoes. He also enjoyed the outdoors walking, fishing, boating and swimming. Funeral service will be held on June 12, 2023 at 11:00am at Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Highway 10 East, with Crystal Bailey officiating. Lunch will be served following the service. Internment will take place in Yorkton City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Brent to SIGN Mental Health, or Bruno’s Place Yorkton. Funeral arrangements in care of Bailey’s Funeral Home.

FORD - It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara Jean Ford of Saltcoats, announce her passing on April 8, 2023 at the age of 74 years. She is lovingly remembered by her children Holly (Nathan) Penner, Wayne (Jackie) Ford, Larry Ford, Crystal Ford and Shawn Ford; her siblings Lesley (Larry), Deanna (Brad), Sharon (Larry) and Donald (Janet); her grandchildren Candace, Jasmine, Abreanna, Brannt, Kaylee, Ella, Gabriel, Aubrey and Reese as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Barbara was born in Fort William, ON on November 29, 1948 to Edna Denby, who later married Doug Baillie. Life brought Barb to Saskatchewan where she eventually settled in Saltcoats with her then husband, Lawrence, and their children. She tried her hand at numerous career paths including the healthcare field, a short stint in real estate, a craft business, and finally as a bus driver beloved by many students over the years. Barb was a woman of many talents, but she was especially artistically gifted. She was an avid painter using both watercolor and acrylic, created various holiday decorations, made wreaths in recent years, as well as having many other creative projects on the go at all times. She loved spending time outdoors whether that was tending her flower pots, time spent across the lake, or evenings around the bonfire with family and friends. When not outside or at her crafting table, Barb could be found baking pies, bread or her famous turtles at Christmas time. Barb was also a great lover of animals, and in recent years was never seen without her faithful dog, Gypsy. Barb was very passionate about improving the Saltcoats Regional Park and spent many years on the park board working on various improvement projects. She also spent a couple of summers running the Saltcoats Lake Concession, where her Wednesday night suppers were a hit around town. She fondly remembered the days when the ball diamonds were full, the ice cream line ups at the concession were long and the July 1st celebrations brought crowds of people across the lake. Barb will be remembered for her infectious smile and hearty laugh, the aromas in her kitchen on pie and bread making days, the many crafts and paintings she has gifted to friends and family, and for her efforts and contributions she made to improving the Saltcoats Regional Park. We miss her dearly, but her stories, recipes, paintings and memories will live on with us for years.

The Memorial Service was held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from Saltcoats Community Hall, Saltcoats, SK with Rev. Nancy Brunt officiating. Words of remembrance were given by Barbara’s grandchildren. The interment followed in the Saltcoats Cemetery with Shawn Ford serving as urn bearer. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.

MYKYTYSHYN - The family of Nestor Mykytyshyn sadly announce his passing on May 30, 2023. He was 76 years of age. Nestor John Mykytyshyn was born on October 12, 1946 to Sam and Catherine (Trach) Mykytyshyn in Canora. He received his education in Buchanan, graduating in 1964. Following his education, Nestor entered the work force directly. His first couple employments included Canora Auto Electric and SK Coop Creamery where he attained his Dairy Plant Certification. Next he entered the Commercial Construction industry, achieving his Interprovincial Journeyman Status. Wanting a job with less travelling Nestor joined C.F.S. Whitespruce working as a carpenter until it’s closure. This led him to train and qualify as a Primary Products Inspector with Agrifood Canada. After 23 years with the Federal Government Nestor returned to Industrial and Commercial Construction in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. In 2015, Nestor retired following Cancer Surgery and this allowed him to work on his new home and enjoy coffee visits with Reg and Russel. During his lifetime, Nestor enjoyed travelling to destinations including Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and numerous countries in Europe. His most cherished trip was visiting the Vatican with his son, Darcy. In his younger years, Nestor devoted his time with his sons as a Cub Leader, a hockey and baseball coach. Later life provided him the opportunity to watch his grandchildren at many of their activities. He was an avid fan of the Habs and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. His Church was also very important to him and his faith was unwavering. His presence and prayer will be missed especially at the Daily Liturgies. His family was truly his pride and joy. He leaves to cherish his memory three sons and their families; Darcy & Loretta and their children Samuel and Nathaniel, Brent & DeAnn, and Patrick & Tracie and their children Isabella and Halle. He is also survived by his brother Marcel (Sharon) of Ottawa and their family;

Obituaries

CONNORS - Kathleen (Kathy) Margaret Connors of Yorkton passed away May 3, 2023 at the Yorkton Regional Hospital. She was 77 years of age. Kathleen was born on October 8, 1945 in Grenfell, SK. She is predeceased by her parents, Bill and Margaret Herbert; her brother, Norman Herbert. Kathleen is survived by her daughter Brenda and grandson Connor; Son Derek (Candace) and grandson Kayden; daughter Shannon, granddaughter Stephanie (Clayton) great granddaughter Jillian, grandson Bryden and grandson Tylor. She is also survived by her siblings, Carol (Joe) Dos Santos, Marion (Ray) Danylko, Judy Newberry, Wilma Beddington, Wayne Herbert, Ivy (Doug) Garfield, Betty (Patrick) Gill, Brian (Dennise) Herbert. Her life was a life well lived. She lived many places throughout Canada including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Even though she lived most of her life on the prairies, she always felt that her heart was in the Maritimes. She was able to spend many enjoyable summers in New Brunswick and touring the maritimes visiting family. Kathy always remembered what the day was like during significant moments in her life. She would always share this memory on our birthdays and remind us all of how special we were to her. Her passing comes at her favourite season of year. When we think of Spring, we will always think of how she loved flowers and birds. Kathy was an extremely devoted mother and grandmother and great grandmother. Family was very important to her. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She could always be found with a grandchild sitting on the side of her chair with her. She loved going to see all of their activities and programs that they were in and taking them out for treats. She loved spoiling them. She had many special relationships with her nieces and nephews as well and always loved the time spent with them. We have had the opportunity to cherish these memories we have of her. It brings a smile to our face when we think of each and everyone that held a special place in her heart and how she would talk about them so fondly. And anybody that knew her, knew that Christmas was her absolute favourite time of year. The day after Remembrance Day she would have her tree up. She was so blessed to have many friends whom she cherished immensely. She had the gift of hospitality. She loved to cook and entertain for friends and family. She did this up until her health was affected. We all enjoyed the many memories made with her and how she had a way to make each person feel special. In 1978 she came to faith in Christ and her life changed forever. She remained active in the church. Her faith in Christ was the cornerstone of her life. Her faith led her to a life of compassion for the needy which resulted in her founding the Soup Haven. She was distressed with the apparent child hunger in the city and came up with the idea of providing a nourishing breakfast for these hungry children. With no money or support other than friends donating food, she found that it was not feasible to provide breakfasts so she decided to provide a noon lunch. At the time, Kathy was a member of the Alliance Church and arranged with the church to use the basement as her “Soup Haven”. In April 1998, she started her noon lunch program and it thrives to this day. Because of her charitable work with The Soup Haven, she was honoured to receive the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan in 2005 and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. We were so proud of her. Her family would like to thank Dr. Van Heerden for the many years of excellent care and compassion. We also would like to thank the Yorkton Hospital for the care in this last period of her life. As per her request, no funeral will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Soup Haven at www.thesouphaven.ca/doantions or the Kidney Foundation.

JUST - On May 11, Lawrence Arthur Just peacefully passed into eternity with his Saviour Jesus at Grand River General Hospital in Kitchener, ON at the age of 89 years. Lawrence will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Henrietta, her husband Curtis and their children Justus and Samuel, along with his son Mark and his wife Melony and their children Matthew and Maddox. Sisters-inlaw Donna Kitsch and Marie Just and Goddaughter Lenora Shaw. Curtis’ Family and Melony’s Family have been a significant part of his life the past 20+ years. Lawrence will also be remembered by many cherished nieces, nephews & friends with their own treasured stories! Lawrence was predeceased by his wife Gladys (Kitsch) and his parents Alvina (Neudorf) and William. His brothers Gordon (Joyce) and Clifford and his sisters Elsie Fiege (Albert), Emily Look (Reuben), Martha Trithardt (Henry), Adeline Kohlert (Leo), as well as brothers and sisters-in-law. Nephews and nieces; and friends Vivian and Muriel Dixon and Pat Fletcher. Lawrence was the 6th born of 7 children and sad to be the last one to go; deeply mourning the recent losses of Adeline & Clifford. At age 14 he began to do a “grown man’s full day’s work” on the farm. He rode an old balloon tire bike to get around and eventually a snowmobile in the winter to get from farm to driveable highway. While driving ambulance at the “Airport Hospital” he met Gladys Kitsch and they were married June 8, 1957. As they did not have children of their own until 17 years later, he was an involved Uncle and Friend to many youngsters. He knew all the backroads when he did deliveries with the Bakery truck and kept all the inventory and sales in his head from the day’s routes and would do the math in his head while on the bread truck. He supplemented his agricultural endeavours by years of shift work on the boiler/air conditioning system at the Federal Building. He truly enjoyed farming, threshermen’s shows, photography, cinnamon rolls, curling, cribbage, gardening, making friends with every dog that wagged its tail, a variety of music (especially of birdsongs), and on the rare occasion he went hunting and fishing. He did a lot of driving to Regina and Saskatoon in caring for Family. Both Lawrence and Gladys cheered on Henrietta and Mark at band competitions and later he was proud to watch his 4 Grandsons mature into young men. His lifespan encompassed a broad spectrum of technological advances, especially in the farming industry, which he marveled at. In a recent nostalgic conversation he said, “The best thing was bringing in the harvest after a year of hard work!” He was friendly and generous; he valued a good education, and completed his GED in his 50s, often saying that “as long as you are living you should be learning”. He missed his home on the Prairies very much while living in Ontario, and we are thankful he was able to visit one last time in February of 2023. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and support staff of Grand River Hospital, especially the Intensive Care Unit, for their dedication and care of Lawrence. Thank you as well to the staff of Erb and Good Funeral Home in Kitchener and Christie’s Funeral Home in Yorkton. Many thanks to Pastor Paul Roggow, the Holy Cross family & Zion Lutheran Church family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lawrence to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Jackfish Bible Camp, Lutheran Hour Ministries or the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. A Funeral Services was held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 1:30 pm from the Zion Lutheran Church in Yorkton, SK with Interment taking place in the Yorkton City Cemetery.

Obituaries Obituaries

SOMOGYI - Patricia Ann Somogyi (nee Crouse) passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the age of 79. She was predeceased by her parents Oliver and Idella. Pat is survived by her loving husband Ernie; her siblings Jim (Joyce) Crouse, Jean Piel and Bill (Fern) Crouse; her children Ingrid Nordstrom, Leif (Carol) Nordstrom and Nelson (Jacqueline) Nordstrom; and her grandchildren Frank, Hannah, Madison, Maverick and Morgan. Pat was born in Macoun, SK on August 2, 1943 and immediately became a farmer. Right from the start she preferred working outside with her dad and was happy to escape “inside” work. More than anything else, Pat loved horses. Growing up, Bessy was her favourite and she owned a whole string of them throughout her life. Pat was a force to be reckoned with. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing back in the day when university was not the norm and later she added a northern nurse practitioner certification. She spent much of her nursing career in remote northern locations where she was not only the nurse but also counselor, pharmacist and doctor. At the end of her nursing career, Pat still enjoyed working independently as a rural home care nurse. Nursing was important, but so was family. She married Keith, and after some northern adventures, settled on a farm near Willowbrook, SK. There she raised her children and passed on her love of horses, gardening and the farm life. After more northern nursing adventures, Pat found herself back in Willowbrook. She was reacquainted with the Somogyi family and Ernie in particular. She and Ernie were married in 2008. Pat was a farmer again! They kept a horse just for looking at, but it became all about the Speckle Park cattle, her dogs Ollie and Rover and her flower garden. Pat will be missed, but her wild spirit will be carried in the hearts of all who knew her. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church, 35 Smith Street East, Yorkton, SK. Arrangements entrusted to Almassy Metz Funeral & Cremation Services, Regina, SK (306-545-4455). Personal messages of condolence may be sent to the family at: www.AlmassyMetzFuneral.com

Monuments TYMIAK’S MONUMENTS & GRAVE SURFACING CO.

Granite, Bronze, Marble Monuments, Vases, Cemetery Inscriptions & Cremation Urns. FULLY GUARANTEED LICENSED AND BONDED 529 Main St. South, Box 476, Ituna, Sask. S0A 1N0 Ph. 306-795-2428

At Your Service

to consideration of the Bylaw, which shall be on July 11, 2023. Dated this 25 day of May, 2023.

Land for Sale

FARMLAND WANTED

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR

COMMISSIONS Saskatchewan born and raised, I know farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

Suites For Rent

SPRINGSIDE HOUSING Authority is currently accepting applications for 1 & 2 bedroom Senior Suites at the Heritage Place. Fridge and stove included. Central laundry with two washers and dryers. Well kept, ready for rent. Rent is based on income. For more information and applications please call Morlie at 306-792-2222 or 306-621-7815.

Wanted

For Sale - Misc

YORKTON THIS WEEK

Services

Your locally owned and operated full-service funeral home.

Our promise is simplewe are committed to providing the nest in funeral services and understanding care to the families we serve with compassion, integrity and professional excellence. 306-783-7552 www.baileysfuneralhome.com

Card of Thanks

SOLONENKO - We wish to acknowledge the many expressions of love and compassion from friends and loved ones during this difficult time. Thank you to Bailey’s funeral home for the amazing work. Thank you for the generosity of food and kindness of flowers and for those who donated to the Rhein Lions Club.

- With sincere thanks from the family of Sylvia Solonenko

NEW, Doing Renos, need repairs. Over 20yrs. experience. Able to do framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, tape, texture, paint, flooring. Specialize in walk-in tile showers, finish carpentry, windows & doors, siding, decks. Will travel. Guaranteed workmanship. Call Glen 306-6414987.

NEVER FEAR Gord the Handyman and A.J. Cleaning are here! We do siding, painting, decks, fencing, eavestroughs, cleaning whole house, wall washing, windows. Big jobs only out of town. Call 1-306-795-3144

Financial Services Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca

For Sale - Misc

8x12 BARN style garden sheds, vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, 60 inch vinyl covered door. $2100. Can deliver. Sheho 306-849-4501

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

Beautiful sturdy, well built brand new garden shed 8’ x 12’. Outside totally finished with vinyl siding and shingles. Phone Ralph 306621-1398 Saltcoats

BIBLE STUDY BOOKS: GOD IS LOVE, PSALM 91, NORTH AMERICAN BIBLE STUDY. FREE WILL OFFERING. Contact: Sandy Marteniuk, 1-306-786-7721 Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www.swna.com or call 306-6491405 to

Phone 306-783-3049

Home Care Wanted HomeCareWanted Searchingforaretiredhealthcare aidornursetocheckuponmyDad atthefarminCalderarea.35minutesfromYorkton. Lightdutiessuchasgroceryshopping,appointmentsandlivingassistance. Pleasecall780-221-3246forinquiriesanddiscussion.

R0011921765 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP

64X1

Published weekly by Boundary Publishers Ltd., a subsidiary of Glacier Ventures International Corp.

The Glacier group of companies collects personal information from our customers in the normal course of business transactions. We use that information to provide you with our products and services you request. On occasion we may contact you for purposes of research, surveys and other such matters. To provide you with better service we may share your personal information with our sister companies and also outside, selected third parties who perform work for us as suppliers, agents, service providers and information gatherers. Our subscription list may be provided to other organizations who have products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to participate in such matters, please contact us at the following address: Yorkton This Week, 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, S3N 2X3. For a complete statement of our privacy policy, please go to our website at: www.yorktonthisweek.com or stop by our office and pick up a copy.

Yorkton This Week is owned and operated by The Prairie Newspaper Group LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp.

Rural Municipality of Saltcoats No. 213 Mower Operator

The RM of Saltcoats No. 213 is now accepting applications for the position of seasonal full-time Mower Operator for the 2023 right of way mowing season.

This position will be a seasonal full-time position for approximately 900 hrs commencing on or about June 26th, 2023.

Applicants must hold a valid drivers license. Experience and maintaining and operating tractors and mowers along with Powered Mobile Equipment(PME) training would be an asset. A vehicle to haul fuel and blades would also be an asset.

Applicants are invited to submit a resume stating experience, along with 3 references on or before June 13th, 2023.

For more information please contact the R.M. office at 306-744-2202.

Please submit application to:

Ron Risling, Administrator R.M. of Saltcoats No. 213 Box 150, Saltcoats, Sask., S0A 3R0 E-mail: rm.saltcoats@sasktel.net

Seniors, Parents, Children!

Earn some extra cash (possibly of up to $400/month depending on route size), get exercise and work only a few hours a week too!

Be a Yorkton This Week Carrier!

• No early mornings

• No collecting

• We pay by direct deposit on the last Friday of every month

• Weight bonuses

• Sales bonuses

• Any age welcome

• Only 2 days or less per week

If you would like a route, please e-mail us at: circulation@yorktonthisweek.com or telephone circulation at: 306-782-2465

In thirsty times, we need God’s living water

Our cat and I perched beside the window, watching what seemed a miracle. Our area had gone for weeks without much spring precipitation, and we’d had prematurely warm temperatures for May. All growth sat stilted, as though someone, somewhere, had pressed pause on the season.

But that day, we watched silver needles transform the sides of Eighth Avenue into cheerfully rushing streams. Fat drops adorned every leaf on the shrubs I’d planted the previous year. Dusty landscaping rocks appeared through the downpour as glowing jewels. Even our metal

fish sculpture looked happier wet.

Like our region before the rain came, I’m often dry as dust these days. The Preacher is in his third week of recovery in hospital, creeping back from a severe case of sciatic nerve shingles and neuropathy that initially robbed him of the ability to walk.

He’s working hard with physiotherapists. Trying to regain as much mobility as possible. Pushing past the pain.

It’s not the first time he’s had to labour to restore basic mobility skills stolen by a cruel virus. “You’re the bravest man I know,” I told him the other day, after watching his efforts in

Sunny Side Up

the therapy room, his face crumpled by pain.

He made good progress at first. His pain is less, and he’s taking a few steps with help. But sometimes we hit a wall, and I’m left with questions. Once he’s back home, how do we manage under the circumstances? Is “back home” even possible?

A look at ninebark

Thank you to all of our gardening friends who attended the Yorkton and District Hort Society Spring Plant Sale last week, it was great to see you all again! Thank you to our Hort members who contributed plants, helped to set up, and worked at the sale. Your help makes the event a success! We also thank the Parkland Mall for all their help with our projects, not only our plant sales but our Annual Show in August. (FYI: our Annual Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Show will be on Wednesday, August 9).

While we are handing out bouquets of thanks, we also have to send a huge “thank you” to our friends at the Yorkton Public Library. The Library has been an excellent home for our monthly meetings, a great central spot for enthusiastic gardeners coming in from all locations in the city and countryside, and we appreciate all the help you give us in so many ways. Thank you to our friends at the YPL!

The Hort Society is taking the summer off, but we will be back again with our first meeting in September.

And of course we can’t miss a bouquet of thanks to our friends at Yorkton This Week for your ongoing support; we thank you for continued assistance and kindness. Our archives have wonderful pictures from the paper of past shows and plant sales, pictures and articles that span decades and helped local gardeners know that we were here and what was happening with us! You helped to make that history happen, YTW, and it’s absolutely fantastic, thank you!

Now, let’s go out to the garden. Are you familiar with ninebark? The fancy two-dollar name is “physocarpus” and it is a member of the rose family. (Spirea would also be a cousin). It’s a

Gardener’s

very pretty shrub with lovely bark in shades of cream and light mocha, making it a nice choice for winter interest in the garden. It is easy to grow and doesn’t have any pest problems. In the late spring, gardeners can enjoy dainty clusters of flowers, which turn to interesting red berries later in the summer. Foliage may be green or a very dark burgundypurple, very striking in the garden.

This is a shrub that you can prune, or not, depending on how big you want it to be. A mature shrub could be almost eight feet high and wide, if left to its own devices. If you are looking for a new shrub, this is one to try!

I will keep you posted on the ninebark “Diablo” that we have in our garden. After years of only slight pruning, the ninebark (which was about seven feet high) looked a little poor this year. Some branches were very patchy with new foliage, and others appeared to be dead. What to do? We did some homework and read that it can be cut back, so we did so, to about two feet high. Our homework said that this will be good to rejuvenate the shrub, so we’ll see what happens. Sometimes gardeners just have to take a chance! The ninebark has a varying life expectancy of fifteen to thirty years; ours is probably close to thirty years old and has given us nothing but beauty in all that time. We hope it still has some zip left and will come back from the root.

If you have a mugo pine in your yard, now

It’s difficult to make hard decisions when the equation is filled with variables and unanswerable questions.

I’m fine most days. But sometimes I wake in the night full of fear, feeling far from a stalwart spouse, prepared to take anything on for the one I love most in life. For better, for worse, we

promised at the altar, decades ago. We were young then. Strong. Now I feel more like the floor cloth under our sink. Limp, faded, powerless. And dry.

“Hon,” I told Rick the other day, “I need a reminder that we don’t have to live under the circumstances.” He looked at me quizzically.

“I need a reminder that Jesus is Lord OVER our circumstances.”

I think of that blessed rain. How under its benediction the parched ground became, once more, green. How new growth appeared the next morning. How everything became beautiful. And in my memory, I hear God’s

voice speaking from the Book of books, the scriptures which guide all my life’s truest measurements and biggest decisions:

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground… (Isaiah 44: 3). And once again, I know. Only Living Water can refresh us. Lift us above these circumstances. Revive our souls and supply what is needed for whatever the days ahead hold. Only God’s water, often carried to us by those who have been there. People like you, perhaps, who pray and remind us that with God, all things are possible.

Lord, drench us.

YORKTON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Notebook

is the time to do candling. “Candles” are the long slender shoots on the mugo pine branches. They should be pinched in half before the end of June; doing this relaxing task will significantly increase the thickness of your mugo pine, so it is an important job! Visit the hort society ay www.yorktonhort.ca; thank you to our friends at YTW for their great work. Have a nice week!

It was a night of music with a definite modern flare as Channel 22 took to the Sacred Heart High School stage Wednesday. The group is a long-standing one at the school providing students a different option in terms of musical education, one more in tune with current music. Channel 22 features 13 students from Grades 9-12. The group has

performed throughout the school year including five concerts over two days in Saskatoon and Warman. Wednesday’s concert began with ‘A Little Bit of Love’ from Weezer and progressed through works by bands including Queen, Bon Jovi, Nirvana, the Cars, Madonna, Pearl Jam and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Bound for Adventure

PRAIRIE HARVEST CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE

72 Melrose Avenue • PHONE 306-786-6840 Senior Pastors Des & Cheryl Klingspon Employment Program 306-786-1840

Online Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. will be on our Facebook page

• Contemporary Worship • Children’s Ministry • Youth Ministry phclc.org

“Changing our world with the love of God.”

Destiny International Christian Assembly

Establishing Ministries and Releasing Destinies 109 Maple Avenue, Yorkton

Senior Pastors Dag & Bukky Lawale

Every Sunday - Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.

Every Wednesday - Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.

Last Friday of each month - Prayer Meeting at 7 p.m.

For more information please phone 306-782-2427

“A Place of New Beginnings”

St. Andrew’s United Church

SECOND AVENUE AND SMITH STREET OFFICE 306-783-4157 MINISTER REV. JEN DRESSER

Website: http://www.standrewsyorkton.ca

Facebook: St. Andrew’s United Church

Join us Sunday, June 11 at 10:30 am Online (Zoom/Facebook/Youtube) and in person!

Church of God in Christ Mennonite

SUNDAY

Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church

89 Bradbrooke Drive, Yorkton, SK S3N 2Y2 • 306-782-2998

Father Michael Faryna 306-601-9043

Thu. Jun. 8: Moleben - 2:00 pm - Yorkton Nursing Home

Fri. Jun. 9: Moleben - 10:00 am - Yorkton Crossing

Sun. Jun. 11: Divine Liturgy - 9:30 am - Ituna

Sun. Jun. 11: Provody - 3:00 pm - Westbrook

Westview United Church

355 Bradbrooke Dr. 306-783-3063 westviewuc.ca

Worship Sundays @ 10:30am

Minister : The Rev. Deborah Smith

Everyone is welcome!

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church

155 CATHERINE STREET 306-783-4594

Conducted by Ukrainian Redemptorist Fathers Phone 306-783-4594 or 306-783-7778

Saturday - 5 p.m. (English)

Sunday - 9:00am (Ukrainian) 11:00am (English)

SICK CALLS ANYTIME—BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE BY APPOINTMENT

St. Mark The Evangelist Orthodox Church

160 Betts Ave, Yorkton, Sask

“Services In English”

www.stmarkyorkton.ca

Saturday June 10th - Vespers 6:00 PM

EVERYONE WELCOME

Pastor Laurel Wiebe -- 306-898-2099

Pastor Tim Warkentin - 306-217-8222

Sunday June 11th Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Priest: Rodion Luciuk

Phone: 306-786-6216 Cell: 306-621-5341

“I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.”

Channel 22 in concert

Staff Photo by Calvin Daniels

New staff being added to address increasing water breaks

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The workload to keep up with demands on the Public Works Department to carry out intended preventative maintenance on the City’s water distribution network and the sanitary sewer collection system, is becoming ever greater.

And something needs to be done to help alleviate the issue, offered Trent Mandzuk – Director of Public Works with the city at the regular meeting of Council Monday.

Much of the pressure comes from an increasing need to respond to system breaks.

“In 2022, the water and sewer division spent 56 per cent of its time (140 working days) repairing water main breaks and service leaks,” noted Mandzuk’s report to Council. “The combined total of annual water main breaks and service leaks has climbed from 21 in 2015 to 70 in 2022 (233 per cent increase).”

In greater detail issues include residential service connection leaks which have increased 450 per cent in the past seven years.

Response time to repair leaks/breaks is increasing as multiple leaks/breaks per week (are becoming commonplace), said Mandzuk. The longer a water main break leaks, the more costly it is to repair.

More staff could help, suggested Mandzuk whose report noted The Public Works Department included a funding increase in the 2023 operational budget for the purpose of add-

ing additional resources to the water and sewer division. During budget discussions Council was not prepared to add additional staff or equipment resources but approved increases under the provision funds could be used for contracted services to compliment city crews when necessary.

With the funding increases approved in the 2023 operational budget the department could hire 3 full-time staff.

Adding three permanent staff will help provide adequate coverage during peak season workloads, detailed the report.

Adding staff is part of a broader department plan.

Once the three staff are properly trained our intent is to move in the direction of having two 6 person crews within the water and sewer division. One will be designated as “reactive” and the other will be intended to carry out “planned” operations, detailed the report. Crews will also alternate between reactive and planned operations to ensure all employees are trained properly and become proficient in both areas.

But staff are not a complete answer.

With the dramatic increase in water main breaks, service leaks and sanitary sewer main failures the challenge of keeping pace with failing infrastructure is only going to become more difficult. Hiring three staff will do nothing to address current rates of failure in distribution system and collection

networks, said Mandzuk’s report.

More money is required.

“Until we start developing considerably more aggressive, longterm underground infrastructure replacement programs, undesirable increases will be seen in the following areas: reactive repair costs, damage to residential property, damage to city infrastructure, service interruptions to water and sewer (including sewer back-ups in homes and dirty water complaints), more frequent drinking water advisories and longer periods that advisories will remain in effect. Failure to provide consistent and adequate increases to the City’s infrastructure replacement programs only results in paying higher repair costs that could be better spent on renewal programs before failures happen,” suggested the report.

“For every year that programs remain status quo, following year budgets need to make up the difference; making it increasingly more difficult and unfair for future generations to carry the burden. Future generations will look at this generation with greater disappointment than we have to our predecessors in regards to negligence in ensuring programs and funding are in place for the sustainability and viability of their community.”

It was noted that the Annual Main Replacement Budget is $1 million, so a five per cent increase on that $1 million is only $50, which

would translate to only 10 metres of reconstruction.

Ultimately, it was the recommendation that

Council authorize administration to proceed with adding three full-time unionized positions to the water and sewer

division that can be funded with the existing 2023 budget increases to the water main break accounts.

Saints giving back to the community

The Sacred Heart High School’s Construction 30 class has helped out the Good Spirit Bible Camp.

The camp was looking for a gazebo for kids to hang out, visit and play games, and the class decided they could build just what they needed.

The Saints class

Let’s Go Golfing

designed and built the gazebo, while Grain Millers sponsored the materials for the project.

“This was a great opportunity for our grade 11 and 12 students to apply their skills,” said class instructor Curtis Moen. “Being able to give back to a worthy cause in

our community that will benefit other students in the surrounding area is what our school is all about.”

Every year Sacred Heart Grade 12 students use the camp facilities for a faith retreat where they will get to use the gazebo for years to come.

From left: Marv Breikreuz (Good Spirit Bible Camp), Terry Tyson (Grain Millers), Jake Kahoot, Layden Omiecinski, Alia O’Neil, Casey Lozinski-Gage (students), Curtis Moen (teacher). Missing students include: Cort Simpson, Joey Zarowny and Kade Wardle.