What’s inside
Fair captures summer spirit
mind is our hobby horse competition,” she said.
The Lloyd Ex Fair celebrated a successful year, capping off its 120th anniversary.
While it’s still too early for concrete numbers of the event, they look promising.
“We know we sold over 1,000 more wristbands in the presale,” said Jackie Tomayer, general manager at the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association, noting she saw plenty of happy faces taking in the various fair offerings.
“I initially would say it was one of our best (fairs) we’ve ever had,” she said.
“We had very few issues that we dealt with. We just had a whole pile of happy people on the grounds and during all the offerings.”
She said the fair has continued to build on the history of the Lloyd Ex Fair.
“What it means to the Lloyd Ex is continuing to build on that tradition, continuing to build on the rural routes,” said Tomayer.
“There’s very few organizations that can say they’ve been around for 120 years and done things so successfully for that many years.”
This year saw some new and returning items at the fair.
“We brought even more agricultural offerings this year,” she said, noting a few items come to mind as personal highlights.
“I would say a couple that come to
“The stands were pretty full for that competition. It was just a new aspect of fair that anyone could participate in, which I loved.”
The poultry show also saw major success this
“Our poultry show doubled in numbers this year from last year,” said Tomayer. “That showed me there’s
The four-day event was capped by the return of a
“We brought a grandstand show back, and come firework time, it was packed,” she said. “The last kick on the drum happened and a firework went up in the sky.”
As plans begin for next year, Tomayer says one popular attraction will be
“I can confidently say monster trucks will be back next year,” she
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Spandex Nation frontman Kid Hollywood rocks the stage on Saturday night at the Lloyd Ex Fair.
Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE
“We’ll probably try another concert and see who we can find.”
Organizers are also looking to expand their agricultural offerings. She says they’re looking forward to the 121st fair next year, thanking those that participated this year.
“I just want to thank everyone for coming,” said Tomayer. “If you were a guest, if you were a volunteer, if you were a sponsor, our staff, everyone puts so much work into these four days.
“We are really proud of the fair we produced and really look forward to 121.”
From roping to lumberjack demonstrations and much more, the Lloyd Ex Fair was filled with entertainment and adventure.
In the top right photo, three generations of the Bowers family from Ardmore, Alta., embrace the team-roping fun as six-year-old Brenna Bowers is flanked by her grandfather Slade and her father Colby.
In the bottom photo, a skilled showman from Extreme Lumberjacks goes to great heights to ply his trade.
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LLOYD EX FAIR FROM PAGE 1
John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE
Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE
The 2025 Lloyd Ex Fair, which started with the annual parade led by Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers and finished with fireworks and a grandstand show by Las Vegas-based hair and metal tribute band Spandex Nation, attracted thousands of guests of the Border City and surrounding areas. The four-day event featured trade shows, strongman competitions, lumberjack shows, midway rides and, of course, fair food. Plans are already in the works for next year’s fair as the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association prepares to host Indian Relay Racing and the RCMP Music Ride on July 26 and 27 before the Boundary Ford Auto Wars demolition derby on Aug. 2. Visit lloydex.com for more information on upcoming events at the Lloyd Ex.
FUN AT THE FAIR
Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE
Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE
Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE
Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE
A great 10 years of cycling against cancer
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
This summer marks 10 years and over 10,000 kilometres of cycling for longtime SickKids Foundation rider Jarrod Russell.
The 49-year-old Lloydminster resident has a soft spot for the cause and hopes to help kids suffering from cancer.
“When I was four years old I had brain cancer, too. It’s dear to my heart,” he said.
When asked why he rides, he said it’s for all the kids stuck in hospitals.
“I’m riding for the kids that are in hospitals,. They look out the window, but they can’t actually go on a bike and enjoy their friends,” said Russell.
“That’s the thing I cry about.”
Russell’s love for cycling started when he was young, first riding on a twowheeler before eventually switching to the more stable recumbent bike.
He’s determined to keep riding until a cure for cancer is found.
“I said every year, I’m not going to stop riding until there’s a cure,” said Russell. “I’ll ride until I get a cure for child cancer.”
This year’s no different as he takes to the trails of Lloydminster for a good cause. He says the decade he’s been riding has been a journey.
“It feels pretty good, it was a journey,” he said. “The first time I didn’t know what it was going to be like. The nine years went fast.”
Physically, he’s ready to take on the riding challenge in August.
“I’m doing pretty good,” he said about his physical health.
Sporting his 2025 Great Cycle Challenge jersey as he trains, he was quick to point out he only ever wears the newest jersey, which feature a new design every year.
“The kids from the SickKids design them,” said Russell.
“One design then becomes the hero jersey for the year,” added Russell’s sister Lana Lane.
“You’ll notice he’s got all these different jerseys,” she said. “He’s kept all the jerseys for over the last nine years. You’ll get your initial sign-up jersey once you’ve reached that $500 (raised) milestone. But when you get to $2,500 raised, they do a hero jersey.”
Russell can be seen throughout the community accumulating his riding distance, usually at Bud Miller All Seasons Park. Safety is a point that Lane wants to emphasize.
“There are a lot of riders out in Lloydminster. But, being so low to the ground, that’s why he’s got his flags on his bike,” she said. “We try to stick to the pathways, so Jarrod will do a lot of riding in Bud Miller and a lot of the trail system in Lloyd because of the safety issue.
“It’s always nice that people can keep their eyes out for that recumbent bike that’s coming down the road.”
Lane says being recognized in the community means a lot to Russell.
“Jarrod really appreciates when people stop and cheer him on and he often
will have his donation box on the back of his bike,” she said, noting people can also donate online at GreatCycleChallenge.ca/riders/JarrodQRussell.
“I used to get kids in Bud Miller cheering me on and I stop and they take a picture,” said Russell. “It’s nice to get recognized.
“I also have one guy from Just Kruzin’, two Harley motorcycle people following me because I’m low to the ground. They want me to be safe.”
His bike, which has seen thousands of kilometres, is a newer bike, something he noted is initially difficult to adjust to.
“It’s hard to switch; it’s like a vehicle,” said Russell. “The controls are different, the seating is different.”
In August, Russell embarks on a month-long journey of daily cycling to hit his goal of 1,300 kilometres.
“He normally would have to ride between 40 and 50 kilometres a day throughout the month of August to make the goal,” said Lane.
When asked if Russell will mark 11 years of cycling for a cure, he said, “We’ll see,” mentioning it’ll be the big 5-0 for him next year.
More events to support Russell’s fundraising efforts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Local agency ready to help in the face of disaster
the city can call on us to come and help,” said Becky Schille, executive director of The Olive Tree.
When disaster strikes, a local agency is ready to help.
The Olive Tree’s Disaster Assistance Readiness Team (DART) is in full swing and there when they’re needed.
“If there are evacuations from neighbouring communities or things like that,
The group has been active for quite some time but is now a formal part of The Olive Tree.
“Informally, for a very, very long time, but we just formalized, gave it a title and we’re getting badges this year,” she said.
Schille gave an example of a recent occurrence when they were called upon.
“We help move people around and be informal security or help with, for example, when Pioneer Lodge had their fire,” she said.
“They called us in, so we brought our supplies, water, snacks, food and just helped,”
Every situation for the team is different.
“It’s different every time because every community handles it a little bit differently,” said Schille. “Sometimes, the City of Lloyd’s more involved and sometimes, if it’s a reserve or a neighbouring community, they’re in charge.”
Whenever they’re called on, they work to remedy the situation.
“We just wait and come when we’re called upon,” she said. “Whenever there’s a problem, we can usually find a solution.”
Now that it’s been made official, the team requires checks to ensure they can take part in sensitive situations.
“Our DART team has staff included, but it also has a lot of really great volunteers. We require police checks so they can be a part of sensitive situations,” said Schille, noting they don’t just help with disasters.
“We also do things like moving clients. If we have an emergency eviction or a move in, those kinds of things,” she said. “We also do projects like hoarding.”
Those looking to volunteer can fill out a form online at theolivetreelloyd.ca/ volunteer.
Jarrod Russell gears up for his 10th year riding in the Great Cycle Challenge raising money for the SickKids Foundation. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
No timeline on Rush Lake solution
Cenovus Energy says one well remains uncontrolled at its Rush Lake site more than two months after a leak began.
“We have 15 of the 16 wells stabilized and the site is stabilized,” said Clayton Ulrich, Cenovus Energy’s senior manager for upstream operations in Lloydminster, during a July 10 media session before an open house.
“We’re still working on the last well right now that is still within our well control.”
Cenovus’s goal for the open house, held in Paynton, Sask, was to update the public on the ongoing release and cleanup efforts.
Ulrich said the leak was first noticed in early May and described the release as “muddy, silty water” brought to the surface by steam.
Vapour also trapped some hydrogen sulfide (H2S) causing a strong odour in nearby areas.
“That’s giving off a lot of the odour a lot of people are smelling today,” he said, noting concentrations of H2S remain low.
“It’s in the parts per billion, not parts per million. It’s well below the health-concern thresholds.”
The company believes a casing failure in one of the wells is to blame. The location of the break is still unknown.
“We’re working with that well right now. We don’t know,” he said, adding Cenovus has tried multiple solutions to plug the well.
“We’ve tried heavy brine fluids, we’ve tried barite, we’ve tried cement. We’ve tried a number of different things.”
Cenovus has shut down Rush Lake 1 and 2 and all wells tied to the site. Production on the site, which producing about 16,000 barrels per day, has not resumed since May 7.
Although Cenovus would not disclose the total cost to the company, 16,000 barrels a day equates to a loss of between $844,000 and $908,000 in daily revenue at today’s market prices. Since the leak started, that’s over $52M.
On top of that, the pad where the leak started will never produce oil again.
“We’re putting it to bed,” said Ulrich, noting Cenovus has built berms and containment systems to stop off-site impact.
“To date, we’ve had no fluid off site,” he said.
Hundreds of members of the public attended a larger open-house after the press conference concluded.
Crystal Miller, president of the Midwest Indigenous Society, attended the event and said it fell short of consultation.
“This was not a community consultation,” she said. “This was a melee of a bunch of people with name tags and no face or no talk.”
Miller said her organization represents offreserve First Nation, Métis, non-status and Southern Inuit people within 80 kilometres of Lloydminster. She said the group is under the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, a national Indigenous organization recognized by the federal government.
“We do have a right to be consulted. We have not been consulted,” she said, adding her group plans to hold a proper consultation and has invited Cenovus to attend.
Cenovus has been providing daily data to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, maintains a 24-hour hotline and is conducting door-to-door visits.
Ulrich also acknowledged the company was slow to release information to the public.
“We didn’t do it soon enough. We recognize that and that’s something we’re going to put some more rigour into,” he said, noting the company’s current priority is resolving the final well and working with government on the next steps.
He could not provide a cleanup timeline or cost estimate.
“My focus right now is getting resolution,” said Ulrich.
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
One of the photos on display at the Cenovus Energy open house taken on July 1. It shows the leak is still active. Dan Gray Meridian Source
Heritage society lean-to shelters history
Members of the Barr Colony Heritage Society were over the moon at the unveiling of the new lean-to at Weaver Heritage Park.
The addition, located on the north side of the park’s main building, will help preserve Lloydminster’s history while on display.
According to Barr Colony Heritage Society chairman Dick Arie, the lean-to has been a long-time coming and was made possible thanks to two generous donors.
“When we originally built this building, we were looking at needed extra space, so the building had a basic lean-to built into the drawings,” said Arie, noting Brian Robinson of Robinson Acres donated $14K and Lawrence Davidson pitched in $10K for the project.
“We couldn’t afford the lean-to at the time, so it never got built.
“In a museum, you never have enough storage space and things are always getting moved around.”
For Robinson, the donation meant preservation while celebrating the past.
“My family moved here in 1919, not far after the beginning and this society is about keeping the history of Lloydminster alive,” said Robinson of the
meaning behind his donation.
Born and raised in the Border City, Robinson has deep ties to the museum and society members.
“My family bought a new tractor in Lloydminster in 1947 and it runs like a top after Dick worked on
it. It’s on display in the museum.”
Davidson, affectionately known as “the rope guy” for his rope-making skills, has been a society member for about 15 years and loves seeing smiles on kids’ faces during days at the museum.
“We needed the extra to get more on display and we didn’t have it,” he said.
“The children coming up don’t know what happened way back when. If we can preserve that history for them in some small way, we’ve done our part.”
The official grand opening included a ribbon-cutting and barbecue with Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers doing the honours.
“I want to thank you for seeing this project through and every other project I see in this room,” Aalbers said to the group before supper. “I’ve had the pleasure of driving some of the equipment here and know the effort and sweat that went into restoring it.
“I truly appreciate the work you do each day in the back to help restore history, so the next generation and the generation after that will have an appreciation of the way things were done in the old days.”
Aalbers, who grew up on a farm, also knows things aren’t done the way they used to be.
“When you did a lot of things in your day, it was a lot easier,” he said. “I remember putting up buildings on our farm and nobody worried about liability and insurance. We live in a new world today.”
Weaver Heritage Park, located at 4420 50 Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday to Saturday.
Members of the Barr Colony Heritage Society were over the moon after the completion of the new lean-to on the north side of Weaver Heritage Park. Middle: Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers officially opened the park’s feature with a ribbon-cutting ceremony before a barbecue at the park on July 8. Above: Brian Robinson (front left) and Lawrence Davidson (front right), whose donations paid for the lean-to, accept special gifts from Barr Colony Heritage Society chairman Dick Arie. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Pride Week returns to Lloyd
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Lloydminster’s Pride Week is on the horizon and organizers are raising awareness around inclusivity.
“Pride for us is about raising awareness, developing connections and just making sure everybody in Lloydminster feels included, involved and connected,” said Joey Hurley, vice chair, board of directors, 2SLGBTQIA+ Society of Lloydminster.
Pride Week in Lloydminster is from July 20-26 and kicks off with a longtime staple.
“We’re starting Pride Week with our big flagship event, Pride in the Park,” said Hurley, explaining the event consists of a barbecue, market and a flagraising and Pride Walk from Synergy Credit Union.
There’s also an all-ages sidewalk chalk party on July 22 at Grace United Church, followed by bingo the next day.
“Wednesday (July 23), we’ve been welcomed at 4th Meridian Brewery for drag bingo with one of our local drag queens, Naomi,” said Hurley, noting Thursday will feature a movie night at the Bud Miller amphitheatre.
“We are doing a movie night promoting queer voices and inclusion through the movie Spoiler Alert,” said Hurley, adding Pride Week caps off with a big event on Saturday.
“We’re doing our large drag showcase with our local drag organization Slay the Night,” he said. “I’m happy to say that will be held at the Border Inn and Suites crown ballroom.”
Hurley says these events are a way to promote the Pride community.
“Just a bunch of wonderful opportunities in the community,” he said. “They promote inclusion, queer voices and interactivity of the community.”
While Pride Week is a collection of events, Hurley says it’s important to keep events going throughout the year.
“Over the last few years, we’ve tried to do more things throughout the rest of the year in tandem with local Pride Week,” he said. “I know myself and the society very much share the belief the queer community doesn’t vanish after Pride Week or only exist for the month of Pride.
“Sometimes we’ll do backyard barbecues and local pop-up events to keep everyone engaged, connected and really establish that safe community.”
Those looking to learn about other events can do so through Facebook at Facebook.com/2SLGBTQIALloyd.
Hurley says they’ve also been working with other Pride communities in the area.
“We’ve also been doing a lot of connections with other queer organizations in adjacent communities, Cold Lake, Wainwright, Battlefords, to promote those connections and not create so much isolation,” he said.
Isolation is something Hurley hopes to combat and help people find their community.
“We know there are a lot of queer individuals in Lloydminster and we’re trying to make sure they’re aware of what’s available,” he said. “The last thing we want is for people to feel like, ‘You’re the only person in the community.’ ”
2SLGBTQIA + Society of Lloydminster pride float in the 2025 Lloyd Ex Fair Parade. Submitted photo
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster: the power of showing up
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster is changing lives one child at a time.
The non-profit organization pairs children facing adversity with mentors who share their interests, offering time, stability and a listening ear.
For executive director Jacqueline Weed, the proof is in the pudding.
“Having that one extra person often helps them become successful members of the community,” said Weed, noting mentorships can grow into lasting connections.
“Over the years, they grew together, to the point where a big brother was in the little brother’s wedding and is now a surrogate grandparent to the little brother’s child,” said Weed, referencing a local success story.
“We’ve also had littles (brothers become bigs. They come back and give back. They become champions for us.”
Lloydminster currently has 35 children waiting for a mentor and Weed wants people to know it doesn’t take special skills to volunteer, just time and consistency.
“It’s not about doing anything in particular. It’s about showing up consistently and spending time with them,” she said, adding bigs get as much out of the experience as littles, if not more.
“To know I’ve had that impact is very powerful, but to know their mentors probably had just as big of an impact is amazing,” she said, noting spending time with littles can be as simple as time at the park or a bike ride.
The organization asks for whatever time volunteers can give. The hope, however, is a minimum of two to four outings each month.
Weed also explained every child in the program is different.
“Maybe they’ve had a family member die or leave, moved across the country or have five siblings and not enough one-on-one time with adults,” she said. “They just need somebody to count on.”
For those on the fence about volunteering, Weed had a simple message.
“It’s so easy to do.”
The organization’s next big event is their Big Brothers Big Sisters month barbecue to be held at their office on Sept. 18 from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminser office, located on 49 Ave. has multiple activities for kids and mentors. In this case, the kids are playing foosball in the activities room. Photo courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster
From Lloyd to Shambhala: local artist’s rise to fame
Lloydminster-born DJ and producer Laura Malanchuk, known as T3MPR, is bringing her hometown roots to the national spotlight.
Malanchuk will perform at the Shambhala Music Festival, a dream she’s been chasing for years.
“It’s surreal,” she said. “I was lucky enough to land a spot at Pagoda Stage. That’s been my dream stage.”
Now in its 26th year, Shambhala features over 200 artists across six stages at the Salmo River Ranch, a 500-acre farm in the West Kootenay mountains.
Growing up, music and performance were part of everyday life for Malanchuk.
“We had a studio set up in my living room, my whole life. My dad was a drummer and all his friends played music. There was always live music going on,” she said, noting her dad was a firm believer in chasing dreams.
Her late father, Barry Malanchuk, who worked as a tile setter in the city, was a well-known local musician with the band RETRO.
“He didn’t get to put out music,” she said. “My grandfather didn’t either. So to know the Malanchuk name has music out now means a lot.”
Malanchuk began performing early through dance at Studio Encore.
“Studio Encore taught me to be a performer,” she said. “That love for dance is what got me into music. All those moments shaped me.”
At 18, she made the decision to continue in the arts.
“There wasn’t really a career in dance anymore, but I fell in love with dance-music culture,” she said. “That was my turning point.”
She began learning more about music production and released her debut track with Destructo’s All My Friends label.
“I met Destructo on a cruise called Holy Ship,” she said. “He became my mentor. Releasing my first track on his label was a dream come true.
“It feels like it’s all falling into place, the timing feels right.”
Malanchuk now splits her time between Canada and the U.S., often working in Las Vegas alongside fellow Canadian artist Sherry St. Germain and comes home when she can.
“My dad is buried here, my grandparents, too. Lloyd will always hold a special place in my heart. I still hang out with the same girls I went to high school with,” she said. “I see myself maybe living here again one day after all the crazy stuff.”
According to Malanchuk, women account for only about five per cent of the industry. So, how did she succeed where others have failed?
“It takes a strong woman. We face challenges, but that’s part of what makes me love it. I believe in inspiring other women to get into the space,” she said, offering advice to aspiring producers.
“Hone your craft and get really good at what you want to do. If you don’t believe in it, it won’t happen.”
Looking back at her journey, Malanchuk had one message for her younger self.
“We made dancing a part of our lives. I thought my dance career was over at 18, but dance led me to music. This isn’t just my win, it’s ours.”
Courtesy of Laura Malanchuk
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
10
Thursday, July 17, 2025
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Leave it to Weaver:
Haters gonna hate, from a keyboard
EDITOR TAYLOR WEAVER
This is probably a rhetorical question, but why do so many people feel the need to throw shade at the Lloyd Ex Fair on Facebook?
Every year, the fair comes and goes and thousands of people have the time of their lives while countless others sit at home complaining about it on social media.
Mor e often than not, the complaints are fairly foolish and give the impression that the author is simply trolling.
The negative is always louder than the positive and this is a prime example.
As a whole, I thought this year’s fair was great. My favourite moment was Saturday’s grandstand show featuring Las Vegas-based hair and metal tribute band Spandex Nation.
Chels may have originally been on the fence about attending, but that girl was singing along throughout the band’s entire two-hours-plus set.
Lead singer Kid Hollywood’s voice has a range reminiscent of David Lee Roth and Axl Rose, and his crowd interaction, both on and off stage, was a highlight of the night.
Saturday marked the band’s first-ever show in Canada and it sounds like the boys want to come back for more ketchup chips and coffee crisps!
Las Vegas-based Spandex Nation rocks the Lloyd Ex Fair grandstand on Saturday night. Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE
Thursday, July 17, 2025
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Chris’ A-Z: A fantastical farewell to the fair
The Lloyd Ex Fair days are officially in the rearview mirror.
The 120th fair has come and gone and what a fair it was. The city was packed; the grounds were sprawling with activity and excitement and I have a million bug bites all over me. I should’ve worn some long pants or had bug spray.
I could complain about bugs all day, but today, I’m looking to once again walk down memory lane. In my research for the initial fair article, I found far more than I needed for one column, so I decided to make it two.
There’s a number of interesting things I’ve learned about the fair. The first gathering of people for the purposes of agriculture took place in 1904 before the birth of the now-iconic Lloyd Ex Fair in 1905.
The fair has had many names over its tenure, the Lloydminster Exhibition, the Lloydminster Fair or any combination of the two. It appears in the mid1980’s, the fair took on a new name, Colonial Days.
How they came to that name I’m not sure, but the name would stick as a constant up until 2020 when it became Lloyd Ex Fair.
There’s been a number of exciting acts and milestones celebrated through the fair. In 1958, Lloydminster celebrated its city status as part of the fair. Just a year prior in 1957, CKSA broadcasted from the colosseum Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the fair. Of note, the fair didn’t always run on the same days. Seems like early on it would still happen in July but at different times every year.
The fair had its own style of pageant, a queen contest. This was often kids in late high school. My own opinion is pageants in general are a strange thing that for some reason were immensely popular for a long period of time and still are in some places.
Countless amazing acts have graced the fair grounds. They’d have livestock events, agriculture, animals, magic, breakdancing and music. The list is endless.
In 1937, a roller-skating act came through town with their gimmick being a straight jacket escape while roller-skating. It may go without saying how
impressive it is to escape while still skating. One of my favourite notes I found was from 1948 where a travelling act, Smith and Allan, who were musicians, came to Lloyd. The paper described them in a very interesting way.
“So totally different from anything considered to be an instrument by any musician in his right mind,” read an excerpt from the Lloydminster Times
Now, I don’t know what instruments they played but I’d like to believe they came in with a fruit of some kind making strange sounds from it. Almost like a hollow watermelon with metal on the inside for them to hit with a spoon.
The constant for the fair, it was always described as gigantic and often regarded as larger than life.
Having now been here for my first full fair, I agree. It brings the community and region together as a whole. Some performers and families even told me they travelled from the U.S. to be here.
Speaking with those running the fair at the Lloydminster Exhibition Association, there’s a clear passion for the fair and everything it offers. I’m sure we’ll continue to see that passion reflected in the amazing entertainment, competitions and events next year.
Gray Matters: Kids’ safety should be a priority
In Lloydminster, summer still sounds the way it should, kids laughing, skipping rope, chasing soccer balls, riding bikes and playing tag until the streetlights flicker on. It’s reassuring, almost nostalgic, to see children outside instead of glued to screens. Some of us believed those days didn’t exist anymore.
But here’s the thing, with all that joyful noise comes risk, and too many of us are pretending not to see it.
Our neighbourhoods are being used as shortcuts and turnaround points for transport trucks, some of them hauling dangerous goods like jet fuel. It’s happening in plain sight and it’s alarming.
On a recent visit to the roundabout near the east-end Tim Hortons, I watched transport trucks of all sizes treat it like a personal racetrack. They go around circling left or right, depending on their load, barreling through at speeds that make your stomach turn.
It’s not a matter of if something’s going to happen. It’s when.
Legally, most trucks and loads are allowed to travel on these roads. The city has posted some parking restrictions for large vehicles and does its best to provide speed enforcement. However, there is no legislation that gives dangerous goods drivers permission to stray from those routes because they want a coffee or nap, etc.
Speed enforcement, when able, is great, but speed isn’t the only problem. Trucks don’t belong on both sides of a residential street. They shouldn’t be whipping around roundabouts in an area kids play every day and they don’t belong near neighbourhoods carrying flammable cargo. The solution comes down to more enforcement by a provincial body like Ministry of Highways
officers in Saskatchewan.
So, yes, it’s summer. The kids are out and carefree, as they should be. But the adults? We should be doing better. That means slowing down, paying attention and demanding accountability from those behind the wheel and in city hall. Safety can’t be optional just because enforcement is inconvenient or legalities are murky.
If we’re too busy or too indifferent to notice what’s happening, we’re not just failing at traffic safety, we’re failing our kids.
For more information on bylaws, go to the City of Lloydminster’s website and search bylaws.
Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE
July 17, 2025
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.
To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 306-825-5147
Cards, games, food, meetings, live music
Bingo at the Moose Lodge
Bingo at Moose Lodge is closed for the summer. Thank you to all the players, volunteers and members who helped make this a successful year. Bingo will resume on Sept. 3, 2025.
Onion Lake Cree Nation Powwow
Onion Lake Cree Nation’s annual powwow is set to start at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 18, with the host Black Bear drum. The three-day event is a celebration of Indigenous culture and is open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous guests.
Hot Mess Comedy Tour at The Sticks
The Hot Mess Comedy Show, a night of unfiltered standup comedy from the beautifully chaotic mind of Indigenous comedian Shy Sapp, will be at The Sticks Billiards and Lounge on July 18 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are available at eventbrite.ca and are $20.
Real Canadian Wrestling at Cheers Live
Cheers Live is set to host another round of Real Canadian Wrestling Friday Night Fights tomorrow night, July 18. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the first bell is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Pubnight at the Legacy Centre
The Legacy Centre is hosting Pubnight on July 23. Doors and dancin’ at 5 p.m. and supper’s at 6 p.m., then dance to Robert’s All Country a new band out of Unity. Cost is $20/person at the door. All members and guests welcome. Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.
Cribbage Doubles Tourney
The Legacy Centre is hosting a cribbage doubles tournament on July 24. Play
Passport to YLL Church Directory
begins at 10 a.m. and the cost is $10/person to play and $12/person for lunch. All ages welcome, bring a friend for a day of cards! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.
Legacy trip to Regina
The Legacy Centre has an overnight trip planned to Regina for a Saskatchewan Roughriders game from July 25 to 26 when the Riders host the Edmonton Elks. The cost is $359/person (double occupancy) and includes the bus ride, hotel, game ticket and lunch on the way home. If interested, call the Legacy Centre at 780-875-4584.
LVE Street Team Fundraiser Barbecue
The Lloydminster and Vermilion for Equity Street Team is hosting a charity barbecue on July 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre. Get a burger or hotdog with chips and a drink for $10, with proceeds going to the street team. There will also be face painting by donation and a bake sale. Email info@lvefoundation.com for more details.
Community-wide garage sale
The United Filipino-Canadians of Lloydminster and Area, in co-ordination with the City of Lloydminster, is planning a community-wide garage sale on July 26 starting at 9 a.m. The idea is simple: everyone planning a garage sale hosts it on July 26 to offer bargain hunters as many options as possible on one day.
Extreme Indian Relay Races/RCMP Musical Ride
The Lloyd Ex is excited to host extreme Indian relay racing and the RCMP music ride on July 26 and 27. Tickets and more information on the event can be found on the Lloyd Ex’s Facebook page.
Boundary Auto Wars Demolition Derby
The Lloyd Ex is getting revved up to host the Boundary Auto Wars demolition derby on Aug. 2. The event features three categories and starts at 1 p.m. at the Lloyd Ex. Boundary Ford and the Lloyd Ex are also hosting a draw for three big prizes, including a 2025 Ford Bronco, a 2025 Polaris Ranger and a 3,200watt generator. Tickets are $100 each and only 3,000 were printed. Get yours today at Boundary Ford, at the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association office or over the phone by calling the Lloyd Ex at 306-825-5571.
Paradise Hill Summer Bash featuring Jade Eagleson
The Paradise Hill Summer Bash returns to the Paradise Hill Arena on Aug. 9 from 5-11 p.m. Supper is from 5-7 p.m. at the Paradise Hill Community Centre before the arena opens at 7 p.m. Drew Gregory plays at 8:15 p.m. and Jade Eagleson plays at 9:10 p.m. Tickets are $75.88 or $27.96 for supper only. Tickets at Eventbrite.ca
- Want to see your listing in the Meridian Source’s online or print community calendar? Email the details to taylor@meridiansource.ca
Brittania Fire Department deploys to support Sask
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
The Britannia Fire Department (BFD) supported wildfire suppression efforts in northern Saskatchewan on July 11 after a request by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.
A six-person team, four from BFD and two from St. Walburg and District Fire Rescue, took three vehicles to the front lines. Crews are near Jans Bay, installing sprinkler systems to protect the community. They partnered with Wildcat Fire Services and Meadow Lake Fire, which sent three members to assist.
The teams also worked to protect a cabin down a nearby grid road before shifting to Pine Ridge Bible Camp.
While some crews remained at the camp, others tackled spot fires along a newly-cut fire line.
Soon after, crews pushed deeper into the forest to protect assets for Mistik Management Ltd.
Despite rough terrain, they managed to get to the location where rain helped calm the area after a battle with spot fires.
The team continues its deployment in support of firefighting efforts.
No charges will be laid after springtime death in Marshall
An RCMP investigation into a death in Marshall, Sask., has concluded and resulted in no charges.
On April 24, Maidstone RCMP received a report of an incident involving injuries in Marshall. Initial investigation determined an altercation
occurred between two males outside a residence on 2nd Ave.
As a result, both males were injured. One of the males called for medical assistance and officers and EMS responded immediately.
One of the males was pronounced dead by EMS while en route to hospital.
Earlier this month, Saskatchewan RCMP con -
firmed the investigation, by the Major Crimes Unit, had come to an end.
“After fulsome evidence was gathered, investigators consulted with Crown prosecutors and it was determined no charges will be laid,” stated the RCMP.
The RCMP have closed the investigation and no further details were made available.
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Courtesy of Britannia Fire Department Facebook page
Olive Tree shows off new kitchen
The Olive Tree’s COO Jana Thompson, noting the kitchen was needed for operation.
“We have a program called CFEP, it’s the Community Facility Enhancement Program. Non-profit organizations make applications to them, then we lobby. I lobby the minister to try to get my projects accepted,” said Garth Rowswell, Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA, who was impressed by the new kitchen and facility.
“That’s amazing, this whole facility they have here now,” he said. “You can see it’s more comfortable to operate. I’m really happy for them.”
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) provided $68,095 toward the project.
“ADM always wants to give back to the community anyway it can,” said Derrick Oliver, ADM grain merchandiser. “It’s always good to give back where we can.”
He says the request for funding is put through ADM and they see what they can do.
“They submit a bunch of different applications saying, ‘These are different programs we’re looking for donations for,’” said Oliver. “We submit those on, see where we can help and provide back to the community.”
The new kitchen is already operational.
The Olive Tree unveiled its brand-new commercial kitchen on July 8.
The kitchen, located at the non-profits food bank warehouse, will serve multiple purposes.
“It opens up a little bit of space to do other things like cooking classes and things like that,” said
“When we purchased this building, the need for a commercial kitchen was evident,” she said. “Since we are a part of Food Banks Canada and Alberta, we need one to operate.”
Funding for the kitchen came from three different sources, with the Alberta government providing $66,137.
“We are already utilizing it between gleaning, you can cook down tomatoes, there’s so many things we can do for the food bank within this area,” said Thompson.
The large island offers space for more than just food bank cooking, opening it up for more community programming.
The kitchen will see plenty of use as The Olive Tree averages 808 food hampers a month and $698,018.52 distributed between January and June.
The Olive Tree unveiled its new commercial kitchen at a donor event July 8 at its food bank warehouse. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Thursday, July 17, 2025
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Franklin scores provincial junior men’s title
Bridge City buddies go down to wire on challenging Border City golf course
Aricin Franklin, a decorated junior golfer from Saskatoon, now can count Lloydminster among the sites of his greatest golfing achievements.
Franklin, 16, was crowned Saskatchewan junior men’s champion July 10 at Lloydminster’s city course, emerging from a tight U19 race with his buddies Ethan Hunter and Ryan Mosher, the 2024 winner.
Withstanding a late push from his contemporaries, and a heavy downpour that doused the final two groups of golfers, Franklin finished one stroke ahead of Hunter and two in front of Mosher.
With an emphatic fist pump after he sank his decisive bogey putt, Franklin signalled just how much the provincial-championship victory meant to him. He read the daunting Lloydminster course as well as anyone during the three-day tournament. The high school student did his homework and tested the Lloyd layout in advance of the junior provincials and again in the practice round the day before the tournament.
“It’s a great track, one of the best in the province, for sure,” said Franklin, embracing what has been widely described as a challenging course.
“The layout is pretty simple. But what you see is what you get, and they had the rough thick. The greens are small. You had to hit good golf shots. It was a little breezy out here. The scores were not the best, but to be expected.”
Each of the three finalists shot tournament-best rounds of 70 once. Mosher and Hunter did so on opening day, while Franklin matched that top score the next day to gain a two-shot advantage going into the final round.
“It was a long three days,” the champion said. “The course is playing tough. It relieved what happened (with my third-place finish) last year, and I feel like I made up for it this year. Last year, it was emotional. It was tough, but we bounced back this year and got it done.”
Franklin posted a 73-70-76—219 scoreline, three shots over par, to prevail over Hunter (70-76-74—220) and Mosher (70-75-76—221).
COLLEGE, PRO ASPIRATIONS
Competitors and friends alike, all three of them have bonded through similar golfing circles in Saskatoon. Mosher, 17, has just graduated from high school, while Franklin and Hunter — who doesn’t turn 16 until late July — are going into Grade 11 this September.
With aspirations of college and pro golf down the road, all three Saskatchewan finalists hope to spend at least parts of next winter in warm U.S. destinations conducive to golf training.
In the premier junior tournament in their home province, Franklin, Hunter and Mosher each showed skill and resilience at varying points of the provincials to create the nip-and-tuck finish, punctuated with a six-minute surge of pounding rain late Thursday afternoon.
“We were just on 17 tee and then it just started pouring out of nowhere,” Hunter said. “It was kind of weird, it was raining and then it stopped for a bit. “I didn’t have an umbrella, but I was lucky enough to have my rain jacket.”
The three front-runners had already covered their legs and arms for the final day of a tournament that saw Lloyd’s mix of sun, wind, slight coolness and a small amount of rain.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Saskatoon’s Aricin Franklin posted a one-shot victory in capturing the Saskatchewan junior men’s golf championship July 10 at Lloydminster Golf and Country Club. John MacNeil Meridian Source
U18 AA Pirates go to bat as provincials approach
The U18 AA Lloydminster Prairie Pirates went 1-2 in Baseball Alberta provincial league action last weekend at Wallacefield Park and Co-operators Field. During the Pirates’ 10-4 victory over the Innisfail Hawks, Lloyd batter Nathan Papp (top photo) eyes a pitch, while Bryson Early (right photo) slides safely back to first base, beating the tag from Innisfail’s Cade Couper. The Pirates were scheduled to play four more games this week, at home Wednesday against Edam and Thursday versus Macklin, and at Burma Park on Saturday against Coronation and Southwest Edmonton (Leduc). Lloyd’s provincials are scheduled for the July 25-27 weekend at Leduc or Slave Lake. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos
“Yeah, I definitely wanted to wear pants and a little sweater today (because) mosquitoes are really bad out here, so that (extra clothing) helped a lot,” Hunter said.
Overall, the young gun welcomed the opportunity to try to weather the Lloyd track.
“I think a challenging course is a good course,” Hunter said. “It’s always fun to have a challenge. It makes it a little bit more interesting and more fun.
“The rough was pretty thick out here, so it was really crucial to hit fairways. That was a big part of this week, was hitting fairways.
“I was really good on the tee shots. The second day wasn’t as great, but I was able to get it done third and first days.”
In a performance befitting a reigning champion, Mosher was able to regroup after a tough start to the final round.
“Yeah, for sure,” said Mosher, whose sister Arwen competed in the U17 girls’ division. “I was 5-over through nine and I was able to battle back, hit a few greens, make a few putts. About 4-under through the first five holes of the back nine. Just things sort of unravelled from there, but it was fun while it lasted.
“It was a tough week, but I stayed in it throughout the whole thing, and I was battling. So, there’s nothing I can do except go home and practise and get ready for the next one.”
Mosher ran into water and the rough on that critical 17th hole, which he double-bogeyed.
“I had a tough lie in the rough and it just started pouring,” he replayed. “The rough held a lot of water and I wasn’t able to keep my 3-wood through the grass. The grass just kind of took the 3-wood up and I thinned the ball a little bit and hit it in the water. Yeah, it was a tough one.”
The fortuitous Franklin empathized with his buddy.
“It was a dogfight all day,” said the freshly minted champion. “We were all pretty tight going into 17. I hit a pretty good tee ball, a great 3-wood to 40 feet for eagle. It’s unfortunate that Mosher had to go out the way he did, but it worked out for me.”
NATIONAL QUEST
The trio of Franklin, Hunter and Mosher form Team Saskatchewan for the Canadian junior championship, set for Aug. 11-15 at Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club in Bathurst, N.B.
“Going down to nationals, I hope to improve on my finish from last year, hopefully get top 15 instead of top 20 this year,” Franklin said. “Maybe go for the win, we’ll see.”
The trip to New Brunswick is a homecoming of sorts for Mosher, whose father has Fredericton roots.
“We have a great team this year, a lot of good guys,” Mosher said. “I think Saskatchewan can definitely make a run and I’m really excited.” Hunter is also gung-ho about playing an unfamiliar course in a new environment.
“Oh, that’s going to be a lot of fun, down on the East Coast,” he said. “I’m not sure what the courses are like or anything, but it’ll be fun.”
Although he’s just turning 16, Hunter and his Bridge City golfing friends have big dreams.
“I hope to take it to the college level, and then from there on, maybe try and go to the PGA,” he said. “But I’m just going to take it year by year and keep improving.”
Mosher hopes to improve his game by getting stronger physically in the coming year, a gap year for him before he begins post-secondary studies.
“I’ll definitely be in the gym a lot, get some weight and some power behind the ball, because these young guys are outdriving me by quite a bit,” said
Mosher, five-foot-11 and about 145 pounds. “Hopefully, we can get the ball speed up.”
After he turns 18 next January, Mosher plans to spend part of the winter training in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Franklin intends to do some of his high school work online so that he can similarly schedule winter golf trips, which are also on Hunter’s 2026 calendar.
Franklin’s first name, Aricin, is derived from his mother’s Norwegian heritage.
“It’s an interesting name,” agreed Franklin, whose parents followed his every shot in Lloyd.
“A lot of people get it wrong the first time, but they get used to it.
“It’s like Harrison without pronouncing the H.”
Other provincial winners on the boys’ side were Pilot Butte’s Austin Nesbitt in the U15 division and Regina’s Hudson Deibert in the U13 category. The fastrising Nesbitt fashioned a 71 in Round 3 to post a one-shot victory over Keaton Kreklewich of Melville.
JUNIOR GOLF PROVINCIALS FROM PAGE 15
From left, Ethan Hunter (silver), Ryan Mosher (bronze) and Aricin Franklin (gold) were the medallists in the Saskatchewan junior men’s golf championship July 10 at Lloydminster. John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
Saskatoon’s Odnokon belies her age to capture junior women’s golf crown
Grace Odnokon could see it coming.
Although she’s just 15 years old, the Saskatoon resident was confident in her ability to win the provincial U19 junior women’s golf championship, which she accomplished July 10 in Lloydminster.
“Honestly, it’s what I was going for,” Odnokon said after her six-shot victory on Lloyd’s city course. “I knew I could, and I was just waiting for it to happen.
“This is a really special moment.”
Now, she has more targets in mind, approaching the Canadian junior women’s championship Aug. 13-16 at Sainte-Marie, Que.
“My goal mainly, for nationals this year, is to make the cut,” said Odnokon, going into Grade 11 this coming school year.
She ranked her provincial achievement as that much more rewarding because it came on a Lloydminster course that’s not easy for anyone to master, junior and senior golfers alike.
“It is a really challenging course overall,” said Odnokon, who doesn’t turn 16 until November. “I thought I played to the best of my abilities on it. There were some hiccups here and there, but I thought I did pretty well.
“I’m really happy. I practised a lot before this.”
Odnokon scored 83, 75 and 80 for a three-day total of 238, six shots ahead of Regina’s Tayla Perry (85-79-80—244) and eight in front of Kyle’s Chloe Wills (80-80-86—246).
Wills, 17, was the junior women’s leader after each of the opening two rounds, including a four-shot advantage entering the last day.
Even experienced golfers like Wills could attest to the demands of the Lloyd track last week.
“The course was playing tough,” she said after the final round. “The rough got me in some trouble, for sure. It was thick. The first two days were pretty good. I struggled a bit the last day, a couple of rough holes.”
It’s not always comfortable playing as the leader, Wills said.
“The last day, especially, it’s hard to not get into my own head. I kind of knew what (score Odnokon) was at, too, so that made it tough.”
Wills’ accomplishments as a golfer have earned her a U.S. college scholarship. Next month, she begins her NCAA Division 2 career in Missouri.
Wills leaves for college within a few weeks, so she won’t be able to attend the junior nationals in Quebec.
“I have to be there Aug. 12,” she said of her Springfield, Mo., move to college.
“I go a bit early for orientation and stuff.
“The (recruiting) process was a lot, definitely a lot more stressful than I thought it would be. Lots of talking to different people.
“Both nationals and Canada Games are being played after I’m gone, but it’ll be a good experience (going to college).”
The Lloydminster provincials gave Wills and her younger brother Jace an opportunity to spend the week with their cousins, Carson and Drew Mazzei. All four of them played in their respective divisions, as the junior men’s tournament was played in concert with the junior women’s event.
“That was great,” Chloe Wills said. “We got to stay with our cousins. It was a good time.”
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Top of page: Grace Odnokon of Saskatoon finishes her six-shot victory in the Saskatchewan junior women’s golf championship July 10 at Lloydminster Golf and Country Club. Above: Chloe Wills of Kyle, Sask., was the junior girls’ bronze-medallist. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos
‘A
lot of kids aren’t as fortunate’
Proud of her heritage, Onion Lake’s Dillon blazes trail in junior golf circles
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Rooted in Onion Lake Cree Nation, Ada Dillon is breaking new ground on golf courses this summer.
Dillon, who turns 16 this month, was the lone female participant from the Lloydminster area playing at home last week as the Border City hosted the Saskatchewan junior golf provincials.
As she completed her third and final round Thursday, July 10, Dillon reflected on what her participation means for female golf in the Lloyd region and notably for youth back home in Onion Lake.
“It makes me feel proud,” she said. “Proud to be where I’m from, honestly.
“A lot of kids aren’t as fortunate to do this. I try my best to push them to do more sports, because they’re all talented. It can be any sport.”
Dillon has played defence with her hockey team in Onion Lake. For the past four years, she’s also been immersed in competitive junior golf, taking lessons and travelling for tournaments.
“I’ve been a big fan of hockey,” Dillon said. “But my dad pushed me into playing golf, so I started competitive golf four years ago and kept playing even more.”
She has developed into a trailblazer of sorts, especially within her Indigenous community.
“I’ve never thought of it that way,” Dillon humbly said with a smile.
PURSUING ACADEMY ROUTE
She’s turning another corner this summer as Dillon and her family make the move to Lloydminster in time for the school year. Going into Grade 11, she’s bound for the new Pursuit School of Sport, enabling her to golf and study in a multi-sport academy setting and focus on both academic and athletic progress.
Before then, Dillon travels to Kahnawake, Que., to compete in the Notah Begay III national junior golf championship, which runs Aug. 3-5.
“It’s a par-4 challenge,” said Dillon, who qualified at an Alberta tournament in Stony Plain.
Last week in Lloydminster, she was among just 20 girls in the 110-plus field of junior golfers who tackled Lloyd’s city course.
“It was pretty tough, honestly,” Dillon said. “The conditions here are pretty challenging. But I feel I pushed through it to the best I can.”
Indeed, she showed composure down the stretch and parred 10 holes during her final round.
“It felt good to finish that way,” said Dillon, whose tournament highlights included a birdie on the 16th hole in opening-day action July 8.
“I’d say putting is the strongest part of my game.”
Dillon recorded rounds of 85, 91 and 88, respectively, for a 264 total. She placed fourth in the U17 girls’ category, which included the overall U19 girls’ provincial junior champion, Grace Odnokon of Saskatoon.
Dillon finished eighth overall among junior women.
On her way to the Lloyd Ex fair last Thursday, Dillon said she can’t get enough golf. She even has a new summer job working at Rolling Green Fairways.
LLOYDMINSTER BOYS
On the boys’ side at the Saskatchewan junior provincials, five of Lloyd’s
up-and-coming golfers continued their development on a big stage on their home course: UNDER-19 (JUNIOR)
36. Carson Mazzei: 88-94-85—267. UNDER-17 (JUVENILE)
16. Drew Mazzei: 89-85-86—260.
18. Graydon Moore: 89-84-89—262. UNDER-15 (BANTAM)
13. Cooper Roberge: 87-84-88—259.
17. Charlie Kappel: 97-91-97—285.
Ada Dillon of Onion Lake Cree Nation accounted for the local representation in the Saskatchewan junior women’s golf championship last week in Lloydminster. John MacNeil Meridian Source
U13 Liners cap Lloyd’s golden hat trick
Border City teams collect three Softball Alberta girls’ championships
two innings.
The Lloydminster Liners painted an orange wave in winning three provincial softball championships on the same July weekend.
While the U17 and U11 teams were victorious in rain-shortened tournaments at home in Lloyd, the U13 Liners went to Blackfalds to capture their Softball Alberta gold medals.
In winning the provincial U13 B girls’ championship, the Liners posted a 5-1 record, including a 2-0 slate on championship Sunday.
The Lloyd girls defeated Edmonton’s River City Hornets 13-6 in the final, which was shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule.
“The girls put it all together at the right time,” said U13 Liners head coach Cory Dubyk. “We had a strong team all year.”
At the provincial championship tournament, they overcame any errors or hitting droughts that might have curtailed them previously, Dubyk said about his veteran-laden team, consisting of 10 secondyear players and two others in their first season of U13 ball.
The past four years, Dubyk has coached the core group of U13 Liners, including his daughter Brielle from her first U11 season to her final year of U13 this season.
“They’ve been a part of the provincial process for four years and finally got some success,” he said.
Lloydminster capitalized on a River City pitching change, breaking open a close game with five runs in the third inning and four runs in each of the final
Liners’ pitchers Brielle Dubyk and Payton Heck both limited their opponents to just three runs each.
In the post-game photos, the smiles on the faces of the Lloyd girls would indicate just how much they appreciated the gold medals, capping a long and rewarding season.
“We played a ton of ball this season,” said coach Dubyk, tracking a year that began the week before May long weekend.
The Liners participated in three provincial tiering weekends in Red Deer, Medicine Hat and Lloydminster, along with tournaments in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Lloyd.
“In total, we played around 43 or 44 games in about nine weeks,” Dubyk said. “A lot of ball.”
For the Lloyd parents, that schedule sometimes meant Fridays off work to enable those extended road trips.
For the girls, those excursions were a big part of the fun.
“Yeah, for sure, they like the swimming pools at the hotels and hanging out with the girls,” said Dubyk, whose coaching staff included assistant coaches TJ Heck, Dean Phipps and Coralee Hohne.
“We actually had a good schedule for (game) times this year, too, where the girls could do that bonding in the hotel rooms.”
While the Liners’ teams hosting provincials in Lloyd ran into rain complications on their championship Sunday, the U13 club dodged that bullet.
“It wasn’t too bad,” Dubyk said. “We woke up Sunday morning and the diamonds were pretty
wet. We were supposed to start at 9:15 and I think we started at about 11:30. The diamonds actually dried pretty quick.
“The 17s and the 11s, both playing here in Lloyd, they ended up not being able to play at all on Sunday.”
With favourable records up to that point, however, both of those Lloyd teams were recognized as Softball Alberta champions.
U17 LINERS MAKE MARK AT CANADA CUP
The U17 A Liners went right back to work and participated in the Canada Cup this past week at Surrey, B.C.
At that multi-level national event, Lloydminster played 10 games in six days in the Showcase Gold tournament, posting a 7-3 record before losing 2-0 to the Richmond (B.C.) Islanders in Saturday’s playoffs.
The Liners won their first four games of the July 7-13 tournament and had seven victories after eight games.
Lloyd’s U17 results at the Canada Cup were:
Liners 10 Richmond Islanders 3
Liners 7 TriCity Titans 3
Liners 10 Calgary Kaizen 0
Liners 7 Lacombe Selects 0
Ridge Meadows Pride 1 Liners 0
Liners 4 Delta Inferno 2
Liners 10 Richmond Islanders 1
Liners 11 White Rock Renegades 5
Ridge Meadows Pride 10 Liners 4
Richmond Islanders 2 Liners 0
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Lloydminster Liners won Softball Alberta’s provincial U13 B girls’ championship at Blackfalds. In the back row (from left) are head coach Cory Dubyk and assistant coaches TJ Heck, Dean Phipps and Coralee Hohne. In the middle row (from left) are Silver Schaab, Sway Krepps, Tennley Forbes, Reggie Phipps, Brooklyn Scarf, Suri Garrett and Aubrey Waddell. In the front row (from left) are Harper Hohne, Olivia Wutzke, Brielle Dubyk, Halle Dzurzynski and Payton Heck.
Submitted photo
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