The
Onion Lake powwow celebrates culture
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Dancers in traditional colourful regalia packed Onion Lake Cree Nation for its annual powwow.
The annual event, held from July 18 to 20 at Onion Lake Cree Nation, drew participants from across Canada and the United States, celebrating Indigenous culture and community.
Organizers say the powwow is a time of healing and unity,
welcoming both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors. With categories ranging from Tiny Tots to Golden Age, dancers and bands competed throughout the weekend, while vendors from across the country offered traditional food, art and crafts. The grand entries featured hundreds of dancers four times throughout the weekend. The host band came from Quebec to perform among many others.
Onion Lake Cree Nation’s annual powwow was filled with colour and culture from July 18 to 20. Dan Gray
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Indigenous beauty on full display
Local Business Directory
Powwow dancers of all ages celebrated Indigenous culture at the annual Onion Lake Cree Nation Powwow from July 18 to 20. The three-day event featured a variety of categories, a drum contest and more. Participants and spectators travelled from a cross North America to compete. Dan Gray Meridian Source photos
OLCN comes alive
Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE photos
Richardson Pioneer looks to expand
primary access point for the new facility.”
The amendment to the municipal development plan would allow the project to move forward.
A public hearing for an amendment to the County of Vermilion River’s (CVR) municipal development plan (MDP) has shed light on Richardson Pioneer, the company looking to expand into the county.
“We are currently in the process of purchasing a 15-acre parcel of land within the County of Vermilion River for the development of a greenfield crop inputs facility,” said Mike Schmidt, location manager of Richardson Pioneer in Vermilion, noting details of the site.
“The quarter of land we are planning on subdividing already has 22 acres subdivided out,” said Schmidt. “There is a large acreage on the southwest corner of the quarter as well as a radio tower site.
“Our proposed development is on the opposite northeast corner of this quarter. The intersection of Highway 16 and Range Road 62 would be the
“Bylaw 25.15 as an amendment to the municipal development plan (and) would allow this project to move forward within the county,” he said.
According to CVR documents, the updated wording in subsection 5.2.8 of the MDP, if amended, would read: “The combined total maximum area of land that may be subdivided from a quarter section for vacant rural residential parcels, abandoned farmstead separations, and developed rural residential parcels shall be 10.1 ha (25 ac).”
Richardson Pioneer is a privately-held agriculture company that services Vermilion and the surrounding area.
“We retail fertilizer, crop protection products, seed, equipment rentals, custom application services, as well as providing agronomic and scouting services,” said Schmidt.
They are currently located on the east end of Vermilion within town lengths and have been operating out of that location for 20 years.
“We are land-locked at this location for further growth and development and our current facilities are reaching the end of their estimated useful life,” he said.
Schmidt also noted agriculture in Western Canada and the Vermilion area is growing rapidly and people are making significant investment into their infrastructure, equipment and land.
“This project will match their growth and position our location to support farmers and ranchers in the County of Vermilion River well into the future,” said Schmidt.
proposed project.
“Over the past year, we have worked very closely with Alberta Transportation to meet all development requirements for the proposed site along Highway 16,” said Schmidt. “A third-party traffic impact assessment (TIA) was conducted and submitted to Alberta Transportation. Based on the TIA findings, the location was approved with traffic volumes well below thresholds.”
He says while the Vermilion location retails anhydrous ammonia (NH3), there’s no plans to move that site.
“The Vermilion Richardson Pioneer location does retail anhydrous ammonia, which is classified as a dangerous good,” said Schmidt, adding their anhydrous ammonia site is located two miles west of Vermilion and 100 metres south of Highway 16 on Range Road 71.
“This new state-ofthe-art facility will be comprised of a dry fertilizer storage and handling facility, an office, a certified crop protection warehouse and a workshop.”
Work has been done to identify any issues in relation to traffic volume from this
“We have operated safely and effectively at this location for over 30 years and have no plans to relocate the NH3 site to the proposed development on Range Road 62.”
Richardson Pioneer, under Schmidt’s management, has focused on giving back to the community they serve.
“Our business is community focused. We make a point of giving back to the communities we work and live within,” he said.
“This project represents a critical step forward for our business.”
The MDP will return for decision to the Aug. 11 council meeting.
Esso Travel Centre eyes re-opening after gas smell
The Esso Travel Centre on Highway 16 has been closed since July 19 due to the persistent smell inside the store and restaurant area.
According to owner Derrit Daigle, the hope is to re-open soon.
“We hope to re-open, possibly as early as this afternoon (July 21),” said Daigle. “We have to air out the building and get air testing done.”
He was unable to comment on the
cause of the smell and advised it’s something Cenovus would have to address.
Early on July 17, the Lloydminster Fire Department responded to the Lloydminster Esso Travel Centre for reports of a gas leak.
Upon arrival, officials initially found no issues and the facility remained open before closing on July 19.
The centre was still closed at press time on July 23.
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Photo courtesy of Richardson Pioneer
Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE
Russ Robertson Arena construction hits snag
and they’re still hoping the cement floor will be starting to pour July 28.”
Ongoing construction at the Russ Robertson Arena has unveiled some issues below the surface.
“During demolition, tree roots were found under the arena pad, resulting in the removal of two trees south of the facility,” said Joel Turcotte, director of recreation and cultural services, City of Lloydminster.
“Tie beams and metal cables connecting the support columns on the east and west walls were (also) deteriorated or snapped. Of the 18 strands, only two still had tension on them.”
The original drawings for the building show the tie beams were supposed to be fully encased in concrete from the east to west support beam underneath the concrete pad.
Most of the tie beams were stretched across the clay dirt base, which in the drawings was shown as gravel.
The issue found was discussed with RJC Engineers’ structural engineering team and recommendations were sent back to the city. These included a four-strand of rebar embedded into each support column on the east and west sides, attached in the middle, then the full four strands encased in a concrete form.
Bexson Construction Ltd., which was awarded the contract for the Russ Robertson Renovation project, provided costs for the tie beam fix, which will deplete the remaining contingency at an extra cost of $196.722.45.
The project was originally awarded on Feb. 24 in the amount of $1,669,712 with a contingency of $250,457 for a total budget of $1,920,169.
With the new work, needed construction will be pushed back.
“This unforeseen repair will push all other projects and completions back by three to four weeks. Original timelines had ice installation beginning early October,” said Turcotte, noting additional delays are not expected.
“Bexson has worked quite quickly. They have the tie beams put into place, rock is almost embedded
With the delay on the Russ Robertson, the Archie Miller Arena is expected to be opened earlier to help with those looking for ice time.
“It’s usually (open) late October. We’re going to try early October,” said Tracy Simpson, executive manager of community development services.
Construction on the Russ Robertson Arena has been delayed. Of the 18 strands, only two still had tension in them, contributing to the delay as repairs are made.
Photos courtesy of the City of Lloydminster
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Lloydminster RCMP continue proactive work
STAFF WRITER
The Lloydminster RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) has seen success in crime reduction in the community.
Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown, who heads the GIS, provided an update to Lloydminster City Council at the July 14 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.
The GIS unit is currently comprised of 11 regular members and one municipal employee.
“I’ve got an investigative side and a crime reduction side in my unit,” said Nutbrown. “On the crime reduction side, we’re focusing on high-risk repeat offenders. With our unit, we can quickly react to different things that might pop up. We can put some resources straight to it.”
Nutbrown also outlined recent investigations his unit has been tackling.
“The last couple of weeks, the unit was involved in a couple of CDSA (Controlled Substance or Drug Act) investigations,” he said. “We did search warrants on houses, which ended up with positive results.”
The investigations, according to Nutbrown, started with support from the public.
“Both of these investigations were started with tips, complaints from the public,” he said, explaining residents are stepping forward and submitting information on things they’re seeing in the community.
“The two residents we had done the recent search warrants on weren’t on our radar at all until the public came forward and said, ‘You may want to check this place out.’
“We’re getting more support and more assistance from the general public.”
Proactive work in the community led to a meat thief being apprehended and serving time.
“One of our crew folks had located this fellow with some meat he had on his possession,” said Nutbrown. “(We) determined it was stolen from one of the local grocery stores, which weren’t aware of the theft, and we ended up going through that, working the file.
“That male had also been responsible for thefts in Kitscoty, Maidstone and other ones in the city here. Went through the court system, he ended up
actually getting 60 days in custody because of his record and things like that.”
As part of its proactive work, the RCMP have implemented a bait bike program.
“We ended up doing a bait bike deployment,” explained Nutbrown. “We wire it up with a GPS tracker and put it out in the community because that had been identified last summer as a significant issue amongst the community. We’ve had quite good success in the people taking our bike.”
Nutbrown said the success of the bait bike program has caused criminals to go to greater lengths to steal now that they’re aware the police are out in the community.
“We’ll change our tactics a little bit and continue on with it,” he said. “Hopefully, to the point that anybody that sees a bike sitting anywhere is going to be too nervous to want to take it.”
The GIS’ policing work also extends to those currently in police custody and high-risk offenders.
“We’ll monitor incarcerated individuals as well. That’s a little bit newer,” he said.
“We’ll find out when we’re getting a high-risk offender that’s being released, I’ll have a couple folks in my unit find the individual and have a chat with them (letting them know) we’re aware. It’s sort of habitual offender management action we can take.”
Nutbrown also spoke to the recent work of a motorcycle unit out of Saskatchewan and how it affected local calls.
“An interesting thing with that is our call volume goes up because they’re generating files,” he said. “However, my unit, we’ve been tracking some of the statistics when it comes related to the unhoused. That’s been a significant issue from last summer in the community.
“When those motorcycles were in town doing their thing, our calls for service related to the unhoused dropped to almost nil.”
He said, some days, calls related to the unhoused can be up to 33 per cent of the the detachment’s total calls, or higher.
Deputy Mayor Jason Whiting says the public can see the results of the work RCMP put in.
“I do think we’re seeing the RCMP do a lot of hard work and we’re seeing that result in some of the media results they put out,” said Whiting. “They’re making some wins in a lot of different areas.”
Public transit pilot successful in Vermilion
The future of public transit in Vermilion looks promising following a pilot project by a local nonprofit.
The FOCUS Transportation Service began operating on Feb. 11 with six daily trips.
“We ended up running Tuesdays and Thursdays for six hours a day,” said Dawn Riley, director of special projects, Focus Society for Support Services.
The van runs from Vermilion Valley Lodge to the Cornerstone Co-op, with stops in between.
“(We) started at the lodge at nine o’clock in the morning and ended at the lodge at 10 a.m. and did that until 4 p.m.,” said Riley.
There’s a total of 16 stops, one of which is Tim Hortons, which Riley says led to a local success story for them.
“We had a gentleman from the lodge who went for his first public coffee on the bus,” she said. “It was the first time he had ever gone for coffee, the first time he’d ever been able to do that and he’s 62.”
Throughout the process, they kept track of some of their performance measures.
“We looked at our ridership, financial viability, satisfaction and reliability and community engagement,” said Riley.
Although they didn’t meet their unique riders goal, there was still a win to be celebrated.
“We have four regulars,” said Riley, noting two of the regulars are from Parkway Manor Apartments for Seniors.
A one-way ticket is $5, which unfortunately didn’t cover all of their costs. Luckily, the community was there to help.
“We were hoping fares would
cover a large chunk of our cost, but they didn’t,” said Riley. “But, the community sponsorship and donations more than covered, actually, it almost covered our entire budget.
“We had nine businesses and three service clubs sponsor or donate.”
Through survey feedback, Focus found the program was very successful.
“I did surveys a month in, to the manors and the lodge, with 90 per cent satisfaction,” said Riley. “The only complaint was (from) a lady that you could tell had never used a bus service because she said there was too many stops between her place and the haircut.”
In the three years it’s been operating, the current van’s odometer is almost at 200,000 kilometres. The future of the program is still unknown as the final decision has yet to be made.
“I’m reminding you again, if my board says this gets to go on, I’m going to come ask you for permanent bus stops,” said Riley. “Right now, we’re using sandwich boards that the J.R. Robson School kids made.”
Deputy Mayor Joshua Rayment says he’s heard nothing but good things about the program.
“Very seldom do you hear so much positive feedback about something in a community,” he said.
Riley says the Focus Society board of directors will be meeting at the end of July to discuss the future of the public transit service.
She says she still wants to see service expanded to the college if the program continues.
“I still have the same goal, a second van and a second route over at the college,” said Riley. “We’re meeting with the college in September about providing a service to their students.”
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The Focus Society for Support Services van is on the move in Vermilion. Facebook photo
Thursday, July 24, 2025
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EDITOR
TAYLOR WEAVER
A guy walks into a bar ... no, that’s not it. A guy attends a Coldplay concert, ends up on the “kiss cam” with someone who wasn’t his wife and goes viral online … yeah, that’s it.
In case you haven’t heard, U.S. tech company CEO Andy Byron recently took over social media feeds after re-enacting the famous “I’m flying” scene from Titanic with his company’s head of HR. The couple was caught in a loving embrace before ducking out of frame at a July 16 Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Mass.
The footage, now known as ColdplayGate, has over 45 million views on TikTok and millions more through reposts on other platforms.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, simply Google Coldplay.
Since going viral, Byron was forced to resign as CEO of Astronomer; his wife removed her married name from her Facebook profile before deleting it, and HR exec Kristin Cabot allegedly still has a job.
This whole situation has me thinking back to when I wrote something to the effect of “Could you imagine if Twitter were around when Clinton was president,” in a column years ago.
There are varying opinions on the matter, but I find it ironic that Byron is calling it a private moment that became public without his consent.
In other words, this guy got caught cheating on his wife and he’s blaming everyone but himself.
Homeboy and his mistress were at a concert with more than 50,000 other people, and his response was, “I hope we can all think more deeply about the impact of turning someone else’s life into a spectacle.”
Fun fact. In most cases, concerts are considered public places, meaning anyone can take your picture without consent. Generally, tickets used to attend a concert have a “photo release” built into them, giving the artist/event photographers permission to photograph you.
The Meridian Source deals with photo release practices quite regularly, especially when it pertains to minors. If we’re at a school for a story, reporters will ask if all students have a signed release before a photo is reproduced, anywhere. When I was a photojournalism student, the phrase was, shoot first ask questions later.
In the real world, it’s better to the safe than sorry, which can also apply to Byron’s case. Cheating, unfortunately, is a part of many people’s lives. Remember the Ashley Madison data breach from 2015? Follow-up question. Can you believe that site is still active?
A marriage ending due to infidelity is never a laughing matter. The memes, parodies and spoofs of this marriage’s end, however, have been gold. Even Major League Baseball team mascots are parodying the event.
Have a great weekend, Lloydminster. Be careful who you’re seen in public with.
11
Thursday, July 24, 2025
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Chris’ A-Z: The Archie Miller Arena’s lasting impact
Not long ago, I wrote about Archie Miller, Mr. do-it-all, as I put it, but there’s still a building that stands as a tribute to his contributions in the community.
The future of the Archie Miller Arena remains uncertain, but it’s likely the facility will stay and see some upgrades to give it a refreshed feel.
Looking back at how it all started, it’s hard not to talk about how little everything cost back in the day, before inflation took over and things looked really different.
T he site itself cost $12,000, with construction being undertaken by the Lloydminster Co-op Association. Construction for the brand-new arena was done just before the year ticked over on Dec. 1, 1966.
Some notable additions to the facility included two fountains, two water closets, two basins and two showers, totalling $524. In January 1967, the arena would need a new water heater for $457.
The arena was set to open mid-February, and council thought it would be a good idea to inform Miller they’d be naming the arena after him. He was very appreciative of receiving such an honour.
The Archie Miller Arena opened its doors with a big event on Feb. 11, 1967, and city hall was thankful for the press they received from the local media.
An interesting note, the Archie Miller was a natural-ice facility for much of its life. It wasn’t until 1994 when they purchased an $85,000 ice plant that the facility would move to artificial ice, joining the prestigious ranks of the Russ Robertson Arena and Centennial Civic Centre.
The Archie Miller received plenty of use from a variety of user groups, including minor hockey, broomball, adult recreational hockey, CanSkate and ringette, all of which put the arena to good use.
What struck me is that in 1994, studies identified the need for more ice surfaces in Lloyd, a conversation we’re still having today.
If reports are true, the 24,000 sq. ft. arena will need some work to remain usable in the community. Seeing the community gives so much support to it
during the recent studies reassures city hall decision-makers, the Archie Miller still has some life left to give and is still needed.
This arena likely holds a sentimental place in many people’s hearts, and seeing it up close and personal, I get it. I still remember the old facilities I went to when I was young. I often go into them and just enjoy a trip down memory lane.
I think The Archie has an important place in Lloydminster, and the evergrowing need for ice surfaces will continue. The future for the arena seems bright with community support.
I can’t wait for hockey season to roll around and get back into the arenas.
Gray Matters: Forced rehab is wrong and expensive
I’ve written about the deeply flawed notion of “fixing” addiction and homelessness through force before. As someone who has been on the other side of this issue, let me be blunt: if you tried to force me into rehab back then, it would’ve been a waste of your time and taxpayer dollars.
Addiction doesn’t start in a vacuum. It’s a complex outcome of trauma, mental health, poverty, physical pain and disconnection.
You can’t treat it like a broken leg. There’s no single pill, no one-size-fits-all solution.
What works is building stability. Step 1 is solving the basics: housing, food, clothing and safety. Without those four daily needs, people stay locked in survival mode. They can’t think past the next 24 hours, let alone imagine a future.
Only after that comes the deeper work. That could mean trauma counselling, proper pain management, access to a doctor who listens, or having a support worker help set goals. That process is different for every person.
I know it’s not popular to say in some circles, but providing a hand-up works. It’s not coddling. It’s smart money management.
St udies from Calgary, Ontario, and Vancouver show that every $1 spent on supportive
housing can save $2 or more in healthcare, justice and emergency costs.
A 2022 study by the Canadian audit, tax and advisory company KPMG found that supportive housing can reduce downstream spending by up to 60 per cent.
There’s currently an application before the city’s planning department for a new supportive transitional housing facility in the current Saskatchewan Provincial Court location.
Individuals will pay rent, work with a support worker and use it as the hand-up many need.
It’s precisely the kind of proactive, cost-saving initiative we need more of. This is an opportunity to invest wisely and show leadership. Let’s not waste it.
I may sound like a broken record, but you can’t complain about the unhoused and then try to nix any form of help that may be offered. It’s hypocritical and inhumane.
The cold truth is this: we already pay. We pay when people use the ER as shelter. We pay when they overdose, get arrested or bounce between agencies that weren’t built to handle ongoing homelessness. You can either continue paying for failure or invest in something that works.
I didn’t choose the circumstances that led to my addiction, but I fought like hell to get out. It wasn’t a jail cell or a court order that helped me; it was having someone meet me where I was and ask, “What do you need to get better?”
That saved my life. It could save someone else’s, too.
The Archie Miller Arena was built in 1966, with the official grand opening taking place in February 1967. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
Stock photo
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.
Passport to YLL
To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 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.
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.
Salsa Dancing at Tacos El Habanero Food Truck
El Habanera food truck is hosting a night of salsa dancing on Friday, July 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 5023 49 St. (parking lot south of the Atrium Centre in downtown Lloydminster). Come out and have some fun!
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
Alberta Day Complimentary Concert at the Vic Juba
The Government of Alberta and City of Lloydminster are bringing a complimentary concert to the Vic Juba Community Theatre on Aug. 31 featuring Spencer Jo and Dylan Hansen & The Rough Cuts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Vic Juba box office or online at vicjubatheatre.ca/tickets
Green River Revival - CCR tribute at the Vic Juba
The Vic Juba Community Theatre is ramping up for Green River Revival, the ultimate CCR tribute concert, for an 8 p.m. show on Sept. 5. The two-hour event promises to bring you back to the golden age of rock and roll. Tickets are $55 and available at the Vic Juba box office or online at vicjubatheatre.ca/ tickets
City optimistic new arena opens for Bobcats’ home-opener
The finish line is in sight for the soon-to-open Cenovus Energy Hub, according to a construction update presented to Lloydminster city council.
Council heard more detailed plans for the new arena at the July 14 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting. The update included the concession lease, which went to the Lloydminster junior A Bobcats.
“After releasing an expression of interest in 2024, the City worked with the junior A Bobcats to negotiate a lease on operating the food and beverage agreement,” said Joel Turcotte, director of recreation and cultural services, City of Lloydminster.
“The five-year agreement, which will start when the building opens, will provide the City with seven per cent of the gross revenue for all the food and beverage sales.”
The Bobcats will open the concession during all tournaments and games.
Turcotte also noted ice installation has been top of mind.
“We’ve also started to plan out our ice installation. The process will start Aug. 18 and will take seven to 10 days. We’ll do both ice sheets,” said Turcotte, adding a grand opening date has also been set.
“Grand opening will be held on Oct. 1.”
The event will start in the morning with an invite-only ceremony featuring speeches, a ribboncutting and pictures. A larger public event will be held in the evening with free public skating, tours of the facility and more.
Looking ahead, the city is working hard to book events for the upcoming year at the new arena.
“(Bookings) for next season include the Lloydminster Athletic Showcase, the Lloydminster Skating Club will do their ice show and yearend carnival, (and a) community concert is being looked after and looked forward to,” said Turcotte.
“We’ll do a try-sledge hockey event (and) have a new user group this year who will do sledge hockey on a weekly basis at the Cenovus Energy Hub.
“There’ll be a powwow, maybe two, Alberta speed skating provincial championship and then Hockey Alberta junior B Provincials. The Bandits will be hosting that.”
The aim for the hub is to host one event per month for the year.
The day-to-day schedule will see Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association (LMHA) practice starting at 6 a.m. Monday to Thursday.
The U18 AAA female team and Lakeland College Rustlers will practise during the week starting at 7:15 a.m. and the noon hour will have the local adult groups play.
The Bobcats will practice on the Event Arena in the afternoon slot and the U18 AAA men’s team will practise after the Bobcats.
Starting at 4:15 p.m., youth local user groups like the LMHA and Lloydminster Skating Club will operate until 10 p.m., while adult and junior groups will practise and play games until 11 p.m.
Of the $101 million budget for the Cenovus Energy Hub, nearly $81 million has been spent.
The question of how much the facility would cost to operate was also posed to administration.
Tracy Simpson, executive manager of community development services, explained operational costs and date from the Servus Sports Centre can be used as benchmarking.
“The first year is always a little bit of an estimate, but it’s based on data we have available.”
The Bobcats’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 19, which the city hopes will be held in the new arena.
“We’re pushing hard that we’ll be open for that first game,” said Turcotte.
The back-up plan would be for the team to play in the Centennial Civic Centre until the new arena is ready.
“The Civic Centre ice is going in in August for camps,” said Simpson. “Working with our contractors, we’re on track for September utilization at the facility. We’re optimistic home openers will be in the new facility.”
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The soon-to-open Cenovus Hub, pictured on July 22, 2025. Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE
Britannia fire still deployed abroad
Firefighters from the Britannia Fire Department (BFD) have played a big role in helping protect northern Saskatchewan communities from wildfires.
The team arrived on July 11 and continues working with other fire crews and groups.
On July 16, they helped protect Jans Bay by setting up sprinklers, laying fire guards and spraying fire gel.
Crews worked with Wildcat Fire Services Inc., Carlyle Fire and Rescue, and others, while Gel Systems Canada Inc. delivered firefighting gel to protect the town.
On July 17, fire crews arrived from Quebec, Swift Current, Dalmeny and St. Walburg. Crews utilized old airport trucks and farm tractors to spray down ditches.
That night, BFD helped fight spot fires near Little Amyot Lake and closed Highway 155 as the fire moved west.
On July 18, BFD helped monitor fire guards and set up a command post in Jans Bay. SaskPower crews disconnected power for safety and firefighters buried sprinklers, which ran continuously throughout the day.
Tanker 1 sprayed more blue gel to help protect Canoe Narrows.
“Thanks to the Britannia Fire Department for assisting in laying in some fire guards,” said Gel Systems Canada. “These guys have a great team and have been assisting the residents of Saskatchewan in battling these wildfires.”
On July 19, SaskPower restored electricity, and crews quickly cleaned up. BFD and others patrolled roads, rehydrated gel lines and kept attack lines ready in Jans Bay.
As of the latest update on July 21, crews reported the Jans Bay fire as held in check. However, fire watch continued in shifts.
Crews have yet to provide a timeline for their return to the region.
Lloydminster Pride stands tall in the Prairies
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Society of Lloydminster held a flag-raising and march on July 20 at Synergy Credit Union to mark Pride Week.
The group works hard to build safe spaces and raise awareness around inclusivity.
“Queer people exist in Lloydminster and the surrounding communities,” said Joey Hurley, the group’s vice-chair. “But they’re kind of isolated, they don’t know we exist.”
Hurley explained many are afraid to show
their true colours in the community. Pride Week events aim to change that.
“I hope events like this reach the people who choose to stay home, who feel unwelcome in their community,” said Pride ally and Synergy Credit Union’s manager of loan support, Kirk Hopko.
The rain-soaked event, held in Synergy’s parking lot, included a march, a flag-raising, live performances, a market and a story reading.
“Our credit union values are about inclusion and community building,” said a Synergy representative during the flag raising. “We can’t think of a stronger community than a place where every member feels safe and welcome to be out and proud.”
Hurley said the biggest fight is against misinformation.
“I find a lot of misquoted Bible verses sent our way. A lot of it’s from flaky news or Facebook posts,” he said, noting that misinformation often targets events for queer youth.
“People say youth shouldn’t be involved, but the youth want these communities. They want these connections.”
Hurley also said adults often build strength over time — youth don’t always get that chance.
“They are struggling through the same things we struggled through,” he said. “We want to make sure they have that safe space.”
Hopko said showing up matters.
“The more voices who say, ‘Hey, we’re just here, we’re just people,’ the more others feel brave enough to come out,” he said.
For Hurley and Hopko, the goal is simple: truth, safety and community.
“This is a bunch of people looking to feel welcome, safe and included in their community,” said Hopko.
“Take the time to educate yourself. Take the time to inquire and learn instead of just spewing hate,” added Hurley.
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Courtesy of Gel Systems Canada Inc.
Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Thursday, July 24, 2025
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Xtreme ‘hungry’ for playoff success
Playoff lacrosse is coming to Hillmond this weekend.
After an unbeaten regular season in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League, the junior B Lloydminster Xtreme couldn’t be in any better of a position as they host the Parkland Posse of Spruce Grove in a best-of-three North Division Tier 2 semifinal.
The Xtreme welcome the Posse to Hillmond Redden Arena for games at 4 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday and, if necessary, 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We’re healthy and we’re ready to roll,” said Lloydminster coach Graham Murray, whose Xtreme posted a perfect 16-0 record this season and earned a first-round playoff bye.
“We’re hungry. I feel like we’ve been starved the last couple of weekends here, where we just haven’t had anything to do.
“I assume we’re going to be ready to rock and we’re pumped to be playing at home. This is the goal every year, is to be at this point where we’re in playoffs and looking to advance to provincials for the fourth year in a row.”
The Xtreme are banking on strong support in the friendly confines of the Hillmond rink, which is their home base.
“It’s our last week at home and we’re
looking for big crowds,” Murray said. “It would be nice to fill the barn and have a good atmosphere to see the team off to their fourth provincial trip.”
He cautioned, however, that Lloyd isn’t looking past the Posse (8-7-1), which swept the Red Deer Renegades in their first-round series.
“They’re a scrappy team,” Murray said. “They’ve got a good goaltender. We’ve got to keep a couple of their guys in check, and everything should be fine. We’ve just got to be sure that when we’re on offence, we’re taking quality shots, and we should be able to beat this goaltender.
“They’re a team that we’ve handled twice, but we’ve had issues with them. They’re athletic and they like to be physical. It’s a team that definitely poses some issues for us. But nothing, I think, that we can’t overcome.”
The juggernaut that is the Xtreme has given opponents fits all season long, whether it was Jayden Plamondon scoring goals or goaltender Ryker Gamble stopping them. Not to mention Lloyd’s well-rounded offence overall and its stingy defence.
“Our goals-against was under 100, which is crazy in lacrosse to have that,” Murray said. “We only
gave up 65 goals against, and the closest to us was the Renegades with 111.
“So, to only give up 65 goals a year is a testament to how quality our goaltending and our defence is.”
Up front, the Xtreme offence has been going strong from the get-go. Plamondon finished second in league scoring with 85 points, while Jace Gunderson and Dalyn Hepburn each had 58. Plamondon was 15 points behind scoring champion Brandon McNalley, the St. Albert Crude’s 100-point man.
Murray believes Plamondon is “a much better player overall” than McNalley, who played on a weaker team and was relied on to provide much of its offence. “He gets huge point gains against bad teams.”
Either way, Plamondon’s 28 goals and 57 assists amounted to a striking performance.
“It’s his last year and I think he’s brought it more than ever this year,” said Murray. “He’s been an incredibly smart player this year. He leads on and off the (floor).”
In the other North semifinal, the Sylvan Lake Yetti face the Lakeland Heat.
The two survivors in each of the North and South divisions will play in the provincial championship tournament Aug. 1-4 in Calgary.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The junior B Lloydminster Xtreme went 16-0 during the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League regular season. They host the Parkland Posse of Spruce Grove in playoff action this weekend at Hillmond Redden Arena. Submitted photo
Pirates hunt for provincial 18U AA banner
Don’t underestimate the Lloydminster Prairie Pirates going into the Baseball Alberta 18U AA Tier 6 championship this weekend in Leduc.
That’s the message from Pirates overager Keenan Chappell as his hometown club takes a shot at the provincial title.
“When provincials come around, I think the boys are going to get their A game together,” said Chappell, the team’s pitching ace and top hitter.
“I think we’ll be a completely different team. Other teams won’t expect it. We’re going to come hard, try to take early leads, keep the energy up and help our pitcher out as best we can.”
Lloyd is among five teams entered in the tournament, which runs Friday (July 25) through Sunday (July 27).
Although the Pirates (9-16) have had their share of losses this season, their most recent outing was a 10-3 victory over Edmonton-based SWEMBA White Sox Black last Saturday at Burma Park, near Coronation.
SWEMBA just happens to be Lloyd’s first opponent in the provincial championship, as they face each other at 3 p.m. Friday.
In their other round-robin games, the Pirates play twice Saturday (at 9 a.m. against the Fort Saskatchewan Red Sox and at 3 p.m. versus the host Black Gold 47s Black of Leduc) and at 9 a.m. Sunday against the Lacombe Dodgers.
The top two teams in the 10-game preliminary round advance to the championship game at 3 p.m. Sunday.
“It definitely helps, with provincials coming up, to get the sticks back warm again, because we had a real bad cold streak where we weren’t hitting the ball great (and) we weren’t doing a lot great,” Chappell said.
But decisive wins on each of the past two Saturdays are cause for optimism.
Those winning ways have been a big boost mentally, especially the victory that broke a five-game losing streak, said the team’s elder statesman.
“It’s really helped and given the boys some confidence for doing everything — their fielding, their bats — and the energy in the dugout is good after these big wins.”
By design, the Pirates have played a busy schedule for most of July. That was difficult to do for parts of June, with high school exams and graduation activities taking precedence.
“Having that break, we came back cold,” Chappell said. “I don’t think the
boys were doing much training during the break, and it showed, but we’ve played much better lately.”
Lloyd upped its game frequency this month, complementing its Alberta regular-season action with weekday exhibition games against Saskatchewan teams like Macklin and Edam.
DOUBLE DUTY
The ball season has been even more hectic for Pirates’ pitchers Chappell and Kobe Heck, as both multi-position players have also played senior with the Lashburn Cardinals of the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League.
In the past few weeks, Lashburn has been immersed in NSRBL playoff action, knocking off the Oil City Ducks in the quarter-finals before falling to the Unity Cardinals in the semifinals. That best-of-three semi just ended Monday night (July 21) as Unity won 6-4 to post a 2-0 sweep.
Switching back and forth between leagues, Chappell and Heck haven’t missed a beat in providing the Pirates with skill and leadership.
“Senior ball definitely helps,” said the six-foot-three and about 180 pound Chappell. “With higher velo and being able to read the ball out of the hand quicker.
“I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my game, with that senior ball being a factor.”
He usually played centre field with Lashburn.
Along with his strong pitching performances in 18U AAA play, Chappell has been on a torrid pace at the plate, hitting multiple home runs during the July surge.
In recent weeks, the Pirates have been without the services of valuable pitcher/first baseman Keenan Rohs, who was sidelined with hip and hand injuries. They were holding out hope that Rohs might be able to make a comeback for provincials, Chappell reported.
FAMILY BASEBALL TIES
One of the promising young players with the Pirates is Chappell’s halfbrother, Ryden Nixon, an everyday catcher who has been consistent at the plate, posting a solid on-base percentage this month. Nixon turns 16 in August.
“We look out for each other a little more, with me and Ryden being family,” said Chappell, 18. “But, on the field, I see him as a teammate more so than as a brother.
“I see everyone as a brother on the field, though. I care for all of these (Pirates) guys as I would for Ryden. It’s all love from here.”
Nixon also has a first cousin on the team in outfielder Bryson Early. Chappell’s younger brother Lucas played at the top 18U level this summer with the Sherwood Park Dukes of the Baseball Alberta Elite League (BAEL).
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Half-brothers Ryden Nixon (left) and Keenan Chappell are frequent battery mates with the Lloydminster 18U AA Prairie Pirates. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Keenan Chappell has been a standout this summer in his overage year with the Lloydminster 18U AA Prairie Pirates.
This coming school year, Lucas is bound for Going Yards Baseball Academy in Saskatoon, before returning home to Lloyd to finish his Grade 12 year at Holy Rosary High School.
Keenan Chappell is a 2024 graduate of Holy Rosary. Between his first and second years of Lakeland College studies, he’s working full time this summer for Exhaust Masters in Lloyd.
“I’m busy,” he said with a smile. “It’s hard work sometimes and it’s not always easy to get away from work for ball.”
He has switched from his apprenticeship training to mechanic from electrician and plans to continue those studies this coming school year at Lakeland’s Vermilion campus.
Vermilion is the hometown of two of the most effective Pirates, middle infielders (and brothers) Callum and Thad Molsberry.
In its early game last Saturday, Lloyd lost 6-2 to the Coronation Royals, who compete in the Tier 5 provincials this weekend at Slave Lake.
Raiders’ pair mines gold at Football Canada Cup
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
A couple of Raiders’ teammates from Holy Rosary High School are national U18 football champions.
Jake Wicker and Denem Weber, both 2008born players from Lloydminster, were part of the Alberta team that won the Football Canada Cup on Sunday (July 20) at Antigonish, N.S.
It was a dramatic finish for the Albertans, as Wicker and Weber made the most of their second year with the national team program.
En route to a 37-34 overtime victory over 2024 champion Ontario, Alberta came all the way back from a 21-0 deficit early in the gold-medal game.
Alberta rallied in the second half but still trailed 31-21 with about two minutes left in regulation.
Matias Pisa of Airdrie’s George McDougall High School scored a 34-yard field goal with 2:09 left on the clock. Just four seconds remained when Joel Thorpe of Edmonton’s Harry Ainlay High School added “a thrilling five-yard TD run,” reported Tim Enger from Football Alberta.
“In overtime, Ontario had the ball first and managed an impressive 47-yard field goal to take the lead. When Alberta got the ball for their turn, it was all Thorpe as he carried the ball four straight times to paydirt, securing a 37-34 win.”
The late-game heroics enabled Alberta to end its 18-year gold-medal drought. Alberta’s previous championships in the Football Canada Cup were in
1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2007.
This year, each province sent its best U18 players to the national championship at St. Francis Xavier University, home of the St. F.X. X-Men of Atlantic University Sport.
In semifinal play last Thursday, Alberta also took the comeback route in a 34-27 victory over Quebec.
Trailing 27-11 going into the fourth quarter, Alberta tied the score with 1:20 left and won the game with 14 seconds remaining on a 65-yard punt-return TD from Aaron Oboh of Notre Dame High School in Calgary.
John MacNeil Meridian Source
Holy Rosary High School teammates Jake Wicker (left) and Denem Weber celebrate Team Alberta’s overtime victory over Ontario in the U18 Football Canada Cup final on Sunday in Antigonish, N.S. Submitted photo
15U A Twins set table for Lloyd provincials
Lloydminster’s busy stretch of Baseball Alberta championship tournaments began on the July 18-20 weekend as the Twins hosted 15U A Tier 3 provincials at Hospital Diamonds.
In a tournament where all four teams were worthy contenders, the host Twins won the second of their three games — a 17-14 decision over the eventual gold-medallists, the Grande Prairie Reds, on Saturday.
Lloyd opened with a heartbreaking 26-24 loss to Parkland on Friday night in a marathon battle of Twins. In its final game, Lloyd lost 15-9 to the would-be silver-medallist, Sylvan Lake Mariners Navy, on Saturday.
In Sunday morning’s championship game, played during a slight drizzle, Grande Prairie defeated Sylvan Lake 18-11.
“Really good,” Lloydminster coach Rod Henderson said about the weekend overall.
“Lots of close games. Sportsmanship was great, so that’s always good to see. The weather held up — it wasn’t looking too promising — so I was happy to see that as well.
“I just thought the whole weekend was really good — the players, parents and coaches were all good. Lots of young umpires, too, and they did great. A phenomenal job.”
The visiting teams credited Lloyd for stepping up to the plate to host the three-day tournament.
“Thank you for a great tournament,” a voice from the Sylvan Lake dugout echoed after the closing ceremonies, as Henderson and fellow organizers tended to field maintenance.
GAME ON
All parties weathered a snag that delayed the final two innings of the championship game, which was running longer than the designated time for regularly scheduled games. Grande Prairie was leading 17-11 at the time. Play resumed, however, when it was confirmed that the time limit didn’t apply to provincial championship games.
In the end, it appeared common sense prevailed, allowing the kids to decide the championship on the field.
“I would agree,” Henderson said. “There was a bit of a discrepancy on the website on the actual length and the rules of the provincial final game. We got that all sorted out and the right team won. They were the better team today.”
For the host Twins, they were pleased to even construct an A team this summer, complementing two Lloydminster AA teams (Twins and Pirates) at the 15U age level.
“That’s pretty good,” Henderson said of Lloyd fielding three 15U teams this year.
“At times, I find it can be challenging to get an A team together, just because there’s such a different spectrum (of interest). There’s some that are really into ball and there’s some that are not. And once the community league is done, they’re done with ball (for the summer).
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Lloydminster Twins hosted Baseball Alberta’s 15U A Tier 3 provincials last weekend at Hospital Diamonds.
The other participants were the Parkland Twins, the runner-up Sylvan Lake Mariners Navy and the champion Grande Prairie Reds. John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
Lloyd girls prominent on provincial rugby team
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
It was supposed to be a secret. Well, sort of.
When the Saskatchewan U18 women’s rugby 7s team was finalized, all the players selected were told to keep the choices under wraps for at least a week, until an official announcement was made.
Easier said than done.
“It felt pretty good,” said Daryl Levitsky, one of four Lloydminster players in the Team Sask mix for the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, N.L., in August.
“We weren’t allowed to tell anyone, though, as soon as we got word, because the rosters weren’t official yet.
“But it was pretty good. It was so cool, because the Canada Games is such a great opportunity and there’s so many different athletes there. So, I think it’s going to be awesome.”
As enthused as they were to be selected, the girls had to wait another week before sharing the news with friends and others outside their immediate family.
In her case, “the only person who knew was my dad,” said Levitsky, entering Grade 12 at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School.
She and three other Lloyd Comp Barons are training with Team Sask as it prepares for the opening week of the Canada Games, set for Aug. 8-16.
Levitsky, Heidi Bedwell and Ginger Newstead were named to the 12-member final roster, while Kaitlyn Cunningham was selected as one of the three reserves ready to step in if another player is injured and unable to participate.
Newstead tried to contain her euphoria when she learned she was part of the provincial team.
“It was so exciting,” she said. “I wanted to tell my friends, but it was just your family that you could tell about the roster.”
Before long, the girls received congratulatory messages from all corners, especially throughout the vibrant rugby community of Lloydminster and area.
LLOYD RUGBY EVOLVING
The girls were happy for each other, as much as themselves.
“It was really exciting,” said Bedwell, a graduate from the class of 2025 at Lloyd Comp. “It’s nice to have people that you’ve been playing with for a long time, that also made the team, just for that connection.
“There’s definitely been a lot of hard work that’s gone into all of it, and it’s just showing how much rugby is growing in Lloyd and evolving, with how well the athletes are coming out.”
One of those friends that Bedwell has known for most of her life is Cunningham.
From rodeo to rugby, “me and Kaitlyn have been friends forever,” Bedwell said. “We’ve known each other since we were little through mutuals and parents.”
Streamstown’s Bedwell is undecided about her immediate post-secondary school plans. She hopes the well-scouted Canada Games might lead to opportunities for rugby or university, or both.
“I know for sure I want to keep playing rugby,” she said. “Whether that’s just with a club team or whether I travel to a different country and play rugby, or attend university and play university rugby, I’m for sure wanting to stay on that path. See where it takes me.”
Bedwell’s journey has already taken her from the rodeo trail and the dance world to high-level rugby.
INJURY RECOVERY
Cunningham defied the odds when she earned a
Lloydminster’s representation with Saskatchewan’s U18 women’s rugby team for the Canada Summer Games in August consists of (from left) Ginger Newstead, Heidi Bedwell, Kaitlyn Cunningham and Daryl Levitsky.
reserve spot on the Canada Games roster even after suffering a major knee injury this past high school season in just her first year of playing rugby.
“I was out for about three weeks, and I didn’t expect to make any part of the (provincial) team, at all,” Cunningham said. “I was, like, ‘OK, this is my injury year. I’m just going to recover.’ And then, I was asked to be a reserve player and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, this is an amazing opportunity.’
“Initially, I was assessed with an ACL tear, and then a week later a PCL tear, and then I got an MRI the week after that, and it was just a bone bruise in my left knee.”
Now, if one of the Saskatchewan players is sidelined with an injury, Cunningham would be eligible to make the trip to St. John’s for the Canada Games.
Either way, she’s delighted to be in the equation, playing in the recent Calgary 7s tournament and practising with the club each Wednesday in Saskatoon.
“I definitely do (feel equally excited),” said Cunningham, who will captain the Barons in her senior year at the Comp.
“I’m very much a team player, so I love just supporting my girls and seeing what they can do. It’s super cool that they allow the reserve players to practise with the team and be involved with the team the entire time, so if there were to be an (injury) issue, we could jump in right away because we’re all so bonded.”
Cunningham believes that kind of willingness to accept any role, big or small, “is such a big part of sports.”
Her varied sports background includes competitive softball, along with rodeo and other horserelated activities.
The Barons competed in the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association rugby provincials this year in both the 7s and 15s competitions.
“They were both really good experiences,” Bedwell said. “This year was a great group of girls with the Barons rugby team. We did pretty well for being Lloyd, a smaller community.”
Newstead, going into Grade 11 this September, concurred that Lloyd Comp made headway, even against high school heavyweights from Edmonton and Calgary.
“I think we played really well,” she said. “We didn’t place good. It’s hard to compete with the really big schools in the (larger) cities. But we had
fun. We played well.”
John MacNeil Meridian Source
IMPACTFUL COACHES
As they represent Saskatchewan on a national stage next month, the Lloyd girls are thankful they’ve had coaches back home who have helped them develop and reach the provincial program.
Coaches like Jason Ross, a familiar face in rugby and hockey circles in Lloydminster. He and other coaches have given the rugby girls the direction they needed and wanted.
“I would say that Jason Ross definitely helped us out along the way, especially as backs, through the school season,” Cunningham said. “He was always super encouraging and showing us plays that he had done when he was younger. He helped us and built our confidence. He was willing to put in the time for us to build our connections, especially with Daryl (Levitsky) and I. We needed the timings to work out and he was a big part of that.”
Newstead spoke of another coaching influence on her rugby path.
“For me, Chris Scramstad introduced me to rugby,” said the second-youngest member of Team Sask. “He’s really helped me grow and he’s been a really good and supportive coach all the way through. He still comes and watches our games. He’s from Lashburn (Sask.). He’s my club coach.”
On Saturday, July 12, Lashburn hosted a UBC regional skills camp, with Canadian U20 women’s coach Dean Murten leading the way. Team Sask athletes were also involved.
FUNDRAISER SUPPORTS ATHLETES
The Lloyd girls encourage supporters to participate in a 50-50 cash raffle that’s open for bidding on saskrugby.com.
“You can pick certain players and select them, and you can donate towards us,” Newstead said. “It should be right at the top of the website.
“It funds all of our training leading up to the Games, so it’s really helpful.”
STEYL ON SASK MEN’S TEAM
Male rugby is also part of Week 1 action at the Canada Games. The U20 men’s rugby championship will include a Saskatchewan team that has one player — Jaru Steyl — from Lloydminster.
Steyl is a graduate of the Holy Rosary Raiders high school program.
“It was nice to see that there was enough interest to make this team. The boys are all great. The parents are all great. It was a great year.”
‘HAPPY WITH THE PROGRESS’
As the past weekend showed, the Twins made strides from humble beginnings.
“There were definitely some lows,” Henderson reflected. “It was a little rough at the start of the year. Then, we kept getting better and better. And by the end here, we were right there. Overall, I was happy with the progress.”
Those ups and downs of baseball were on full display in Friday’s 50-run battle between Lloyd and Parkland.
“Yeah, that was a crushing one,” Henderson said. “We probably should have won that one, but you know what, that’s ball.”
He believes the A division is just the right template for kids — and their parents — who want to play competitive baseball but still allow time for other summer pastimes.
“I think you’ll find a lot of parents will say it’s just the right amount of ball for them,” said Henderson, who coached the Twins with fellow parent-coaches Shaun Sinclair and Chad Stark. “If you play AA or a higher level, it goes another month or what have you. This gives you a little bit of the summer, so a lot of kids prefer this method.
“Yeah, it’s still good ball. I think it was on display this weekend. Lots of good pitching, lots of good hits and lots of good plays.”
AA PROVINCIALS ON DECK
More provincial action is coming to Lloyd in the next two weekends.
The 15U AA Twins host the Tier 7 provincials, a six-team tournament, July 25-27 at the Hospital West diamond.
Above: Alexander Masikewich of the host Lloydminster Twins motors
last Friday in the first game for both teams at Baseball Alberta’s
Below: More provincial-championship action is set for this weekend in Lloyd, as
host the Tier 7 provincials at the Hospital West field.
The 13U AA Prairie Pirates are at home for their provincials on the Aug. 1-3 weekend. They’ll play that six-team championship at the Driven Energy Legion Ball Park.
In the 15U AA tournament, Lloydminster faces the Grande Prairie Reds at 6 p.m. Friday, immediately following the opening ceremonies.
The Twins are also scheduled to play Parkland Twins White at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Playoff-round action is set for Sunday through the 6 p.m. championship game.
The tournament opener is slated for 3 p.m. Friday between Lacombe Dodgers White and Calgary Bucks Blue.
The Consort Cubs round out the field.
to first base as Lloyd faces the Parkland Twins
15U A Tier 3 provincials at Hospital Diamonds.
Trayson Miskiw and the 15U AA Twins
John MacNeil Meridian Source photos
PAGE 21
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