MITCHELL MEETS LLOYD
Falk celebrates local victory, criticizes Liberals
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Conservative Rosemarie Falk is celebrating a decisive election-day win returning as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Battlefords–Lloydminster–Meadow Lake.
“Thank you to every voter, volunteer and supporter who made this victory possible,” said Falk. “Your dedication and belief in our Conservative message helped deliver this win.”
Falk said her campaign focused on a commonsense plan to address serious issues facing Canadians.
“Millions of Canadians, including those here in Battlefords–Lloydminster–Meadow Lake, resonated with that vision and voted for the hope and real solutions it offers,” she said.
She also addressed the national result, which saw the Liberals win another term, just shy of a majority.
“I know this is not the national result we hoped for, and I share the frustration and concern that so many Canadians are feeling after a decade of Liberal mismanagement,” said Falk.
She criticized the Liberal government for rising costs and public safety concerns.
“Under Liberal policies, food prices have surged, housing costs have doubled, and violent crime and disorder have been unleashed,” she said. “The government continues to block resource industries that could and should be powering our economy.”
She promised to keep working for her constituents and noted she captured almost 77 per cent of the Lloydminster vote.
“I will continue to fight every single day to restore the Canadian promise — hard work earns you a great life with affordable food and homes on a safe street, under our proud Canadian flag.”
See Page 2 for more election coverage.
Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell blew the roof off of the Gold Horse Casino on April 23 to a nearly sold-out crowd.
Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE
Conservative party gains seats, but Liberals form government
Despite the fact the Conservative Party gained seats in Monday’s election (April 28), Canada sees another Liberal government.
The Conservative Party of Canada gained 25 seats (144 total) while the Liberals gained only eight during the election (168).
Although some polls were still to close to call, the NDP (7) lost 18 seats, the Bloc Québécois (23) lost nine and the Green Party (1) lost one. Both NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost their seats.
Locally, Shannon Stubbs in Lakeland and Rosemarie Falk in Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake were re-elected. They won both their ridings with more than 75 per cent of the vote.
Cold Lake expresses EMS concerns
Rescue responded to 21 medical-related requests for assistance.
A pace, which according to the city, could indicate a higher call volume than 2024, which saw 58 calls.
After a presentation to council, the City of Cold Lake is expressing concern over EMS response times.
During the April 15 Corporate Priorities Committee meeting, administration briefed council on the first three months of 2025 as Cold Lake Fire-
“The trends we are seeing are worrying, and we are making every effort to understand the level of service we ought to be provided, the level of service we are receiving, and whether there is a substantial gap between the two,” said Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland.
The city is concerned about the increased reliance on Cold Lake Fire-Rescue to respond to incidents requiring medical first responders and to provide operational assistance to EMS crews.
According to the city, trends show increasing response times with ambulances to Cold Lake dispatched from other communities.
“Our residents are calling 911 and wondering how long an ambulance will take to get to them – or if there’s even an ambulance close to the city to respond,” said Copeland.
The city says fire-rescue already responds to most motor vehicle collisions but are also being tasked with lifting patients into and out of ambulances, lifting a patient out of a challenging space, providing an extra set of hands to assist EMS staff, or simply to provide first aid and comfort in place until EMS staff are able to arrive at the scene
“We’ve noticed our firefighters are being asked to help more often, and while they are happy to help, we need to ask if we are picking up the slack here,” said Copeland.
Cold Lake council directed administration to research the issue and look into the city’s ability to bill the province for the provision of services when fire rescue is called in certain instances by EMS.
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER ..................................
MP Rosemarie Falk. File Photo
MP Shannon Stubbs. File Photo
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER ..................................
A day to recognize dangers on the job
The new workers receive training to prepare them for the upcoming work.
“Today is a day to reflect, if you are not sure about the job you’ve been asked to do, ask questions, stop the work, make sure you perform it safely before proceeding,” he said.
“If you’ve never done the job before and you don’t quite know what to do, it’s important to stop and ask someone, your senior, your manager, your boss, your supervisor for directions and assistance to ensure you have the proper training to complete the task.”
No matter the work, it can be dangerous. April 28, the National Day of Mourning, offered a chance to reflect and be proactive.
“Our own teams from the city, be it fire, protective services, public works and the team in operations that deliver each and every day, because the work they do is dangerous,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
“Someone cutting grass, people wouldn’t think of that, but you can be killed by something that comes off the lawnmower.”
The message of the day is clear and emphasized by city officials.
“The key message is to not only commemorate and remember those who have lost their lives, but reconnect and get proactive so that we can do more to prevent tragedies from taking place,” said John Stevens, safety officer with the City of Lloydminster.
“Today we’re recognizing the National Day of Mourning, which is an event to commemorate and remember those who have lost their lives to workplace fatalities or tragic incidents over the years.”
The City of Lloydminster has a safety team to ensure workers remain safe while doing the various jobs for the municipality.
April 28 also marks an important day for the upcoming summer work at the city.
“Today we have the bulk of our summer seasonal (workers) starting as well,” said Stevens.
“Our safety team is at the Operations Centre doing new hire training. WHMIS training, orientation with our summer seasonals and setting them up for success,” he said.
“Safety is built into the work that we do. All our teams have hazard assessments, job producers, formalized hazard assessments as well that play a part of their daily work.”
Aalbers says it’s important to be prepared before doing any work that could offer risk.
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The City of Lloydminster honoured the National Day of Mourning by hosting an event in front of city hall. Flags were also lowered to half-mast for the day. CRIMINAL RECORD?
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
City of Lloydminster safety officer John Stevens. Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE
St. Mary’s students pitch-in to beautify city
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Pitch-in week is officially underway, and the city is asking residents to help clean the community.
“We have pitch-in week, which is our kickoff event for the whole week to encourage the community to get out and help clean up throughout,” said
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Johan Jones, manager of waste and environmental programs, City of Lloydminster.
The kickoff to the week was held at St. Mary’s Elementary School, where kids learned all about disposing waste.
“Educate the youth. That’s why we’re here today, if we help out together in the community and help encourage the youth to do the same,” said Jones.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers says it’s an opportunity for young people to lead the way.
“It’s the opportunity to help our young people who are so important to help lead us in pitching in and cleaning up the garbage and debris that’s been left here after the winter,” he said.
“The kids are our future. I think that they’ll go home and say to their parents, ‘Mom and dad we need to put that pizza box here.’
”
Throughout the week, residents are encouraged to sweep sidewalks, pick up litter and complete other cleaning measures within their properties and nearby community spaces.
While kids get a crash course on litter and cleaning, Aalbers says crews are out.
“This week we’ll be picking up garbage. If you drive around anywhere in the city, our summer parks team, grass-cutting team, are constantly picking up garbage before they cut,” he said.
Aalbers says it’s important to deal with the garbage appropriately.
“To make sure we’re putting the waste where it’s best suited,” he said. “The landfill is the most expensive way to deal with garbage.”
Spring brings challenges when it comes to litter in the city.
“This time of year, the snow goes away and lots of litter shows up from the winter months,”
said Jones.
The pitch-in week message is about being proactive in cleaning.
“We ask people not to litter, that’s the biggest piece. If you see some garbage, pick it up,” said Aalbers.
The week wraps up with one final event this upcoming weekend (May 3).
“We’ll finish it off on Saturday with the household recycling roundup over at the exhibition grounds, where it’s items that you’re unsure of where to dispose of,” said Aalbers.
Kids not only had the chance to clean, but they received a prize for appropriately sorting the garbage items.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers speaks to students about pitch-in week at St. Mary’s Elementary School. Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE Photos
City Furniture feeling welcome in North Battleford
After moving to Lloydminster in 2020 to join the family business as a City Furniture and Appliances owner, Dil Randhawa continues to grow the chain and is feeling more welcome than ever.
City Furniture’s new North Battleford location celebrated its official grand opening on Saturday (April 26) with a ribbon cutting.
“It started in Prince George in 1976. Since then, we’ve grown to 25 stores from West Kelowna to North Battleford,” said Randhawa, noting the Lloydminster location celebrated its five-year anniversary on April 5.
Saturday’s ribbon cutting included several special guests and long time supporters of Randhawa’s Lloydminster location.
“We’ve made lots of great connections in the area and were honoured to have Chief Cody Benson of Red Pheasant Cree Nation and Chief Donny Ironchild of Little Pine First Nation in attendance,” said Randhawa.
“The girls from Onion Lake Health Centre were also there. The Indigenous community and the surrounding community have supported us tremendously... we’ve had people drive to Lloydminster from Wilkie to buy a fridge from us. They could have gone to Saskatoon but they chose to deal with us.”
The North Battleford store, located at 2702 99 St., opened in September with the help of several local contractors and businesses.
“We bought the building last spring and had help from Sparkes Builders, Rosswell Homes and Kondro Electric,” said Randhawa. “Creative Concrete and Repair (CCR) did the polished concrete floor, which looks great.
“Those guys are all buddies of mine, but I try to keep as many local people working with us as possible. I love supporting locally as I rely on local support, too.”
In addition to the new store, Randhawa is also excited about the business’ new 55,000 sq. ft. warehouse, situated in the old Maple Leaf Foods building in North Battleford.
“It has seven loading docks and it’s filled to the rafters with appliances, mattresses and furniture,” he said, explaining the warehouse will serve his Lloydminster, North Battleford and Fort McMurray locations.
“Within six months of opening the North Battleford store, my uncles opened locations in White Court and Slave Lake, so the new warehouse will also serve those locations.”
For the Randhawas, locally and out of province, the continued expansion means a lot.
“This was a dream my grandma’s first cousin had with two of his best friends. They started with one store and it’s grown from there,” he said, explaining he loves coming to work every day.
“When you walk into a big-box store, you’re not going to see the owner doing the hand-to-hand work or loading a fridge for you.
“As an owner, my family has skin in the game and donate to local charities or sports teams whenever we can. We’re here for the community and want to thank the community for the support over the years.”
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
MERIDIAN SOURCE Photo
City of Cold Lake continues transit program
APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The City of Cold Lake is celebrating 10 years of local public transit and the acquisition of federal funding to continue the program.
The city says the service is nearing its 10-year mark and has seen a steady
increase in ridership.
“A lot of grant funding is based on ridership numbers,” said Mayor Craig Copeland.
“Because the service remains free for people to use, we continue to see growth in our ridership.”
Cold Lake Transit offers full-service, accessible transit routes six days a week, connecting the northern and southern parts of the city and 4 Wing Cold Lake.
In 2022, the routes were accelerated to see a bus go by every 36 minutes.
“People rely on our transit system to get around,” said Copeland.
He says the stats reflect the usage by students at certain parts of the day, but points out they aren’t the only ones using the service.
“It’s not just students. It’s seniors, low-income residents, families with only one vehicle, or people who are new to the community and don’t have a driver’s licence yet,” said Copeland.
Cold Lake Transit was awarded $1,086,030 in federal funding. The funds will be spread over the next 10 years.
“Keeping it as a free service allows it to remain accessible to everyone. By applying for grants, we can keep the cost of maintaining the service out of the taxpayer’s pockets as much as possible,” Copeland explained.
As of March 31, more than 1.3 million riders have used the service since it began in August 2015.
Rodeo receives Bonnyville council support and sponsorship
from the event.
Bonnyville council has voted in favour of sponsoring the upcoming Cold Lake rodeo. The Lakeland Xtreme Broncs and Bulls is going ahead at the Cold Lake Energy Centre May 9 and 10.
“Being it’s for profit, not in town, I’m not as in favour of it,” said Coun. Byron Johnson.
Though the for-profit nature of the event was an issue, there were some positives that could come
“It does kind of fall under sport tourism in one way, although it isn’t being held here. (But) now we’re getting the majority of the lacrosse provincials happening here,” said Johnson.
The viability of hosting the rodeo in the future in Bonnyville could be an issue, as it would displace the yearly lacrosse players.
“I don’t know how well it would work in our facility with the tight quarter to go into the arena said Johnson.
The event being for-profit was a hold-up, however, Mayor Elisa Brosseau pointed to some benefits to the community as a reason to support it.
“I do agree, it is for-profit, but it does to your point work on tourism, and in the past we have supported for-profit events,” she said.
“This could be an opportunity for regional support and collaboration. It could be a good thing for us to support.”
Council approved the motion to sponsor the event for $1,000.
CHRISTIAN
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Photo courtesy City of Cold Lake
Church Directory Symposium to shed light on homelessness issues
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
There’s no easy solution, but members of Lloydminster’s Housing Working Group are hoping conversation can create change.
The Lloydminster Exhibition’s Nissan Hall will provide shelter for the Housing and Homelessness Symposium on May 7. The event will include frontline workers and organizations, advocates, policymakers and community members to discuss homelessness in Lloydminster.
The day will start at 9 a.m. with opening remarks and a prayer before guest speakers and two fireside panels, which will act as question-and-answer sessions.
Housing Working Group members Kagen Kneen, executive director of the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter, Becky Schille, executive director of The Olive Tree and Tyler Lorenz, executive director of Residents in Recovery, encourage the public to attend and ask questions.
“Society seems so stressed out right now with all the changes going on with the cost of living, etc. Oftentimes, we’re looking for someone to blame because it’s easier than acknowledging it’s a societal problem or the issues are bigger than us,” said Schille.
“We want people to understand why there’s a housing shortage, why homelessness exists, some of the underlining causes and we want to end with hope.”
Lorenz hopes attendees leave with a better understanding of what’s going on with the local unhoused population.
“People often ask ‘Why is this such a difficult issue to tackle?’ Unfortunately, it’s not that simple,” he said.
For Kneen, the goal is to get more local members
of the community interested.
“There’s already a lot of people registered from Edmonton, Prince Albert and Saskatoon because they’re excited to see what we’re doing as a community,” he said. “We want to see local community members and businesses come out and learn.
“We tried to expand our shelter last fall and saw a lot of pushback. I think a lot of that is due to a lack of awareness and education. We want to open the doors and have open conversations to show the community we’re collaboratively finding solutions.”
Attendees will also be able to nominate community members making a different through various awards. There will be a volunteer award, a community partner award, a collaborative worker award and a front-line worker to name a few. Award winners will be honoured at a banquet dinner at a later date.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and admission is $25. Tickets are available on the City of Lloydminster’s website.
Kagen Kneen, executive director of the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter, Becky Schille, executive director of The Olive Tree and Tyler Lorenz, executive director of Residents in Recovery, invite members of the community to the Housing and Homeslessness Symposium, taking place at the Lloyd Ex’s Nissan Hall on May 7.
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Each month, the Source highlights one member of the community as a fun way to bring us all closer together!
This month we featured Real Country 95.9 afternoon host, Heather Klages !
You know her voice and community-loving spirit. Now, learn what makes her tick!
If you didn’t do what you do for a living, what would you be doing?
A farmer.
It’s Sunday morning, what are you having for breakfast?
Egg BLT, no cheese, and a large coffee.
If you could see one concert, what would it be?
Keith Urban for the 10th time.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
To understand men.
What was your childhood celebrity crush?
Kurt Browning.
What is your favourite TV show?
Gilmore Girls.
What’s your dream car?
A John Deere tractor.
What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure?
Big Mac, no cheese, extra pickles.
Last book you couldn’t put down?
The War We Won Apart.
Which person, alive or dead, would you like to have dinner with?
My grandpa.
What’s the one thing you haven’t done that you’d love to do?
Go to Juno Beach and Vimy Ridge.
What’s the best thing about Lloydminster?
The people and Bud Miller All Seasons Park.
If we’re buying you’re having....
A 40 ounce steak at the Canadian Brewhouse or Lemon Rice Soup at Spiro’s.
What’s your favourite vacation destination? Disneyland.
What’s your weirdest habit?
Every time I’m in the bathroom, I pluck out a grey hair and, unfortunately, I am losing the battle.
What’s currently playing in your car or on your smartphone right now?
Keith Urban’s latest album or New Country 95.9.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People who pass in town on residential streets.
What are your words to live by?
It’s not brain surgery, it’s just radio.
Who’s your hero?
My grandpa and my grandma!
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Where to begin, on more than one occasion, I have introduced people by the wrong name at major events. I shifted in my seat at the Vic Juba Community
Theatre, and all the change in my pocket went crashing to the floor at a very quiet moment in the performance, I’ve fallen going up the stairs more than once at work, and the list goes on.
Dying to read responses from your favourite community member? Send their name to taylor@meridiansource.ca
Heather Klages likes to listen to Keith Urban or Real Country 95.9. Supplied Photo
Thursday, May 1, 2025
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Chris’ A-Z: Fire and ice don’t mix
With the Esso Cup in the rearview mirror, I figured I’d also wrap up the rest of my historical hockey talk.
Lloyd’s hockey history is extensive. For a town that loves hockey as much as it does, a lot has gone on.
Early in its history, hockey hit a pretty quick road bump in 1908 when the first covered rink
burned down. The Eastern Alberta Hockey League was formed in the same year and featured teams from Lloydminster, Kitscoty, Vermilion and Islay.
Hockey continued to grow until the First World War left teams with fewer players.
Organized leagues had to take a backseat until 1923, when the Western Saskatchewan Hockey League was formed with Lloyd, Lashburn and Maidstone competing against each other.
It took more than 20 years from the first covered rink for the town to get a new one. It opened in 1928 giving teams a chance to play in better conditions. I’m sure getting snowed on during the game or freezing rain was probably not ideal. It may have been the new arena that helped encourage players, but the Lloydminster Elks Hockey team won 1929-1930 Alberta intermediate A championships.
Unfortunately, fire seemed to creep in and stifle the fun at the new arena. Lloydminster’s second covered rink burned down in 1934.
Within two months, a new arena was built but the Prolites, the team of the time was still left without equipment.
“They had to finish their season with begged, borrowed or stolen equipment,” read an article in The Lloydminster Times .
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Congratulations to the Meridian Source’s Easter colouring contest winners, Nova and Kylelyn, sponsored by Walkn on Water. First prize was a custom gift basket from Walkn on Water and the second prize was a $50 gift certificate. Great work, girls!
Thursday, May 1, 2025
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Gray Matters: Who’s building millions of homes?
I write this column as I recover from helping at an Ontario version of Try-a-Trade during my vacation back home and it got me thinking.
One thing became blatantly clear after speaking with more than two dozen tradespeople across various professions, there aren’t enough of them, and they are getting older.
In less than six hours, 2,100 students explored trade career options available to them. Some trades they didn’t even know existed. Can we see the issue?
According to Statistics Canada, tradespeople made up less than eight per cent of the national
workforce as of the 2021 census. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of tradespeople aged 45 to 54 declined significantly, while those aged 65 and older increased by 8,460. Meanwhile, the number of youth, aged 15 to 24, in the trades fell by 31,050.
This trend started before the period captured by the study. Based on signage for everything from heavy-duty mechanics to electricians around town, the shortage hasn’t spared Lloydminster.
Every major party in the recent election pledged to build millions of homes.
There’s between 20 and 30 different skilled trades that work on constructing a single-family dwelling. A multi-family apartment building requires an even larger workforce of tradespeople. Pest control, septic tank installers and even utilities locators are all needed at some point. All of which are disappearing.
This is an alarming problem. If builders must pay
The Prolites overcame the odds to win the Craig Cup against Vegreville in triple overtime.
The Lloydminster Times was correct in a prediction that new rules would add more excitement to the sport. The new rule in question, body checking would be allowed anywhere on the ice.
Hockey continued to gain popularity as it entered into the schools as an organized sport.
Here in modern Lloydminster, the Esso Cup is firmly in the past now and it marks the end of not only the hockey season but the end of the Cen -
more to attract tradespeople, they won’t absorb the costs, the buyer will. Housing costs will go up as the shortage of tradespeople gets worse.
So what do we do to fix this? I have plenty of suggestions from front-line workers, just not enough ink left this week.
Next week, I’ll look at some of the problems identified by frontline workers, followed by their suggestions. Until then, have a great week!
tennial Civic Centre in Lloydminster.
It’s a moment to reflect on everything the Civic Centre has given the border town. It also marks excitement for hockey as next year it’ll take place in the brand-new Cenovus Energy Hub.
I was never a big hockey fan, having fallen out of love with the sport when I was younger. Coming to the border city and seeing families, friends and fans get so excited to see the local teams compete gives a whole different atmosphere to the game.
I’ll be back out next year to the local rink to watch some amazing hockey and I’m sure I’ll see you there.
SOURCE File Photo
CHRIS’
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 Paradise Hill 4-H Multi Club Report
Intro to Square Dancing
Modern square dancing lessons are being offered every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 5115 - 49 Ave. Walk to the beat of music by following simple instructions from the caller. Come alone or bring a friend. Wear whatever is comfortable. First evening is FREE. For more info, contact 780-872-2493 or visit SquareDanceLloydArea.com
Bingo at the Moose Lodge
Bingo will be held every Monday and Wednesday, except holidays, at Moose Lodge 5213 57 St., Lloydminster. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games starting at 7 p.m. Must be at least 18 to play.
Maternal
Mental Health Day
Join Midwest Family Connections at the Prairie North Health Plaza from 9 a.m. to noon on May 8 for Maternal Mental Health Day. Come and go throughout the morning, check out the information booths and listen to guest speakers. Childminding is available, refreshments and snacks will be available, and there are amazing local giveaways.
Jon Dore at the Vic Juba Comedian Jon Dore will take the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on May 11 for a 7:30 p.m. show. Named one of “10 comics to watch” by Variety Magazine, this Ottawa-born comedian, host, and actor is
renowned for his offbeat humour and unique baitand-switch style. Tickets are $35 and are available at vicjubatheatre.ca or at the theatre box office.
A Patsy Cline and Hank Lives Tribute
A Patsy Cline Tribute and Hank Lives, starring Lisa Brokop and Paul Jefferson, is coming to the Vic Juba Community Theatre on May 12. Tickets are $40 and are available at vicjubatheatre.ca or at the theatre box office.
Spades Tournament
The Legacy Centre is hosting a spades tournament on May 15 starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $10 to play and $12 for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for details.
Cribbage Doubles Tournament
The Legacy Centre is hosting a cribbage doubles tournament on May 22 starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $10 to play and $12 for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for details.
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 doors to the arena open at 7 p.m. Drew Gregory takes the stage at 8:15 p.m. and headliner Jade Eagleson goes on at 9:10 p.m. Tickets are $75.88 or $27.96 for supper only. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.ca
PRESLEY WARREN CLUB REPORTER
ROUND UP FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Nutters is proud to be partnering with the CMHA again this year for our annual Round Up for Mental Health! Throughout the month of May, you can choose to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar (or more, if you wish!) and your donated dollars and cents will help fund local supports offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association in our Nutters communities.
The Paradise Hill 4-H Multi Club had another great year. This year, we had 32 members and 10 projects. We have beef, baking, canine, crafting, Lego, light horse, photography, poultry, quilting and swine.
We attended Agribition in Regina, however, our ski trip to Table Mountain was cancelled due to the cold weather. We volunteered at events like Mounted Shooting, the St. Walburg Blueberry Festival and the Paradise Hill Senior Supper.
The club’s curling team attended provincials in Yorkton. Kira Leer made it to provincials in public speaking.
ing up on Monday, May 19 at Fort Pitt beginning at 10 a.m.
We hosted our pie bingo and cake auctions on April 25 with another great turn out. Thanks to everyone who attended and purchased a cake and silent auction items.
The club achievement day is com -
We would like to invite the community out to see our members display their project they worked so hard on this year. We hope you can make it.
Smile cookies support community
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign is back to support local charities.
From now until May 4, smile cookies will be available for purchase at local Tim Hortons locations.
“Every year, Tim Hortons restaurant owners across Canada come together with team members and
guests to make an incredible impact in their local communities with the annual Smile Cookie campaign,” says Axel Schwan, president of Tim Hortons.
“We invite all Canadians to join us in our restaurants to support Smile Cookie week. It’s a deliciously easy way to make an impact in your local community and is one of the most feel-good and inspirational times of the year for Tims fans.”
Last year’s Smile Cookie Campaign raised nearly $18.8 million.
This year’s campaign features a new Smile Cookie reversible plushie.
Proceeds from the plush will also be donated. Local fundraising efforts will be going towards KidSport Lloydminster and The Olive Tree.
Vegreville RCMP dismantle GHB lab
EMS and Vegreville Fire.
Acomplaint of a suspicious vehicle led Vegreville RCMP to seizing GHB and locating the lab where it was created.
April 17, RCMP received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle in Minburn County, Alta.
Once they arrived on the scene, they noted the vehicle had been reported stolen and arrested the man inside. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 700 ml of GHB. Further investigation revealed an address in Vegreville where the GHB was being produced.
RCMP obtained a search warrant for the residence. Vegreville RCMP, assisted by the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response, attended the residence and executed the search warrant alongside
The subsequent search resulted in seizure of 38 litres of suspected 1,4-Butanediol, a GHB precursor, and 12 liters of GHB, as well as the dismantling of the lab. As a result of the investigation into the suspicious vehicle, Jeremy Donald Blackwell, a resident of Edmonton, was charged with: two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, possession of GHB and obstructing a police officer.
“I would like to thank the public for their vigilance and the trust they showed us by calling in suspicious activity” said Staff Sgt. Collin Folk, Detachment Commander of the Vegreville RCMP.
Blackwell was brought before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody. He will appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Vegreville on May 12.
SOURCE Photo
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Thursday, May 1, 2025
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Houle, fellow Steelers show mettle
Lloydminster PWM Steelers goaltender Harlee Houle — otherwise known as “Harlee Houdini” — had plenty of magic tricks up her sleeve while steering the host team all the way to the playoff round at the Esso Cup.
Houle, a 16-year-old native of Spruce Grove, was simply sensational in stopping 50 shots before the eventual gold-medallists, the Edmonton Junior Oilers, finally posted a 1-0 overtime victory over the Steelers in the Friday night semifinal at the national U18 AAA girls’ hockey championship.
It was a game for the history books, and it attracted more than 1,000 fans as the Centennial Civic Centre nears the end of its six decades of entertainment.
“I was just trying to stay calm,” Houle said. “I didn’t want to give (the Oilers) anything. Just stay calm.”
Mission accomplished.
With just 1:20 left in the 10-minute overtime period, and only 12 seconds remaining on the power play, it took a quality shot from Edmonton blue-liner Ciara Lang to end the Steelers’ chances of going for gold the next day.
“It was a great shot, for sure,” said Houle, who was chosen as the top goaltender in the six-team tournament. “No shame. Good for her.”
Lang knew it would take a strong shot to solve Houle’s mastery against the highly touted Edmonton franchise, which went on to defeat the Saskatoon Stars 7-3 in the gold-medal game Saturday.
“She’s an unbelievable goalie, but we just peppered her (with shots) and I think one was going to come soon,” said Lang, whose historic goal came when she fired a wrist shot high on Houle’s blocker side. “I’m glad we could do that to win it and take it to the next game.
“I kind of saw the girls using it as a screen. I just shot it through (the crowd) and I’m glad it went in.”
As the hosts, the Steelers were the only team to play six straight days of evening games before the medal-round action Saturday. After posting gritty performances and comebacks all week, Lloydminster couldn’t replicate that script one more time, falling 4-1 to the North York (Ont.) Storm in the bronze-medal game, a 1 p.m. start Saturday. That was just 15 hours after the Steelers stepped off the ice from an exhausting semifinal marathon.
Steelers coach Dan Auchenberg said he owed it to Houle to give her the start again Saturday after her standout game Friday. She eventually gave way to Grace Deveau in the second half of the bronzemedal game.
Afterward, Houle reflected on the mixed emotions for the Steelers, especially for the senior players who are graduating from this year’s team.
“Lots of them are pretty upset, but it’s also bittersweet because it’s a great season for them to go out on,” she said. “But it’s obviously sad that some of them aren’t going to be playing hockey anymore. Some of them are going to go on to play college hockey.”
Scouts kept a close eye on Houle during the Esso Cup, and though she played like a player bound for college sooner rather than later, she’s still in high school and plans to be back in Lloyd next winter to play with the Steelers.
“It was really good,” Houle said about her maiden season at the U18 AAA level. “It’s probably the best year I’ve ever played. I’m very proud of where we
came from and how much we succeeded throughout the year.”
Heading home for the spring and summer, she’s up for another challenge as she plays baseball with the boys, putting her glove-hand to good use again while manning first base.
The drama in Friday’s late semifinal was palpable.
On the sequence that gave Edmonton a power play with 3:08 left in overtime, Raevyn Neahr was penalized for hooking Cadence Richards near the Steelers’ blue-line. Richards broke in alone, but Houle answered the bell with another big save.
“We know that Lloyd always plays us hard,” said Oilers assistant coach Sage Sansregret. “It was a battle between us and the crowd for a little bit, too, so the kids had to learn a lot and I think that they brought that into (the final).
“It was a great goal (by Lang). I don’t know how high I jumped on the bench, but it was up there.”
Edmonton outshot Lloyd 51-22 as Ella DunhamFox posted the shutout.
‘PROUD OF OUR GIRLS’
As they pushed their way into the semifinal matchup with unbeaten Edmonton, the Steelers showed everyone that they shouldn’t even be considered as token hosts.
“It was just a phenomenal game,” said Auchenberg, the Lloyd coach. “The girls gave it all they had. I couldn’t ask for more. Unfortunately, we didn’t score. But we were a minute and a half away from a shootout. How can you not be happy?
“I can’t be more proud of our girls for beating three teams that are representing their provinces and their regions.”
The Steelers have evolved into a flagship program for Lloydminster minor hockey and their future looks even brighter after a spring-like week of national-calibre hockey.
Around the rink, many were talking about the more-than-respectable showing by the Steelers, who had an extended layoff this spring after being bumped in the first round of the Alberta Female Hockey League playoffs.
At the Esso Cup, they survived three straight nights of potential elimination games before eventually falling in the semifinals. Houle was a constant in those must-win games.
“She’s the best goalie here,” Auchenberg said. “When she’s on, she’s unreal. She’s going to be a great player wherever she goes. She’ll get an NCAA scholarship down the road, and that’s her dream.”
With about half of the Steelers in their final year of U18 eligibility, their Esso Cup dreams have come to an end, but university hockey beckons for most of them.
Sadee Reinders, a graduating forward from Leduc, scored the final goal in the Steelers’ mem -
orable season. She was Lloyd’s lone scorer against North York in the bronze-medal game.
“It was pretty hard,” she said about playing the third-place game just hours after the semifinal defeat. “Last night was kind of a heartbreaker — we thought we had it. Coming to the rink today, I don’t think we were fully over it yet. We came in with a positive mindset, but it didn’t go our way. (The Storm) capitalized on our mistakes in the D zone, but it was a good match.”
The Storm had played in the Friday afternoon semifinal and lost 3-2 to Saskatoon.
Tears were evident on Steeler faces after their final game, but there were hugs and smiles all around to match their celebratory season.
“It was so much fun,” said Reinders, 18. “Dan (coach Auchenberg) says memories last forever. It was a great experience. I’m so happy that (playoff push) was the way for us to go out. I think we made Lloyd proud. It’s awesome.”
After playing two years of AA in Leduc, Reinders made the jump to AAA this season in Lloyd. She plans to attend Red Deer Polytechnic to become a teacher and hopes to continue playing hockey.
One of her Lloyd teammates, forward Natalie Tychkowsky, is already committed to playing at the collegiate level in Red Deer, beginning next season.
Multiple other Steelers have also made college commitments for next season or the year after, and more opportunities are expected to arise from scouting done during the Esso Cup.
Lloyd’s commitment list includes forwards Ashlyn Hinton and Ryann Rekimowich (both to Lakeland College), forward Skylar Heinrichs (Mount Royal), defenceman Kennedy McQuade (St. Thomas) and goaltender Deveau (Trinity Western). Heinrichs still has one more of eligibility remaining with the Steelers.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Harlee Houle. John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
Mighty Oilers mine gold in Lloydminster
The Edmonton Junior Oilers can add the title of national champions to their long list of accomplishments in U18 AAA girls’ hockey.
In the franchise’s ninth trip to the Canadian championship tournament, Edmonton won its first Esso Cup, topping the Saskatoon Stars 7-3 in the final Saturday evening in front of almost 1,000 fans at the venerable Centennial Civic Centre in Lloydminster.
“It’s just past words,” said Oilers blue-liner Jayde Sansregret, whose sister Sage is one of Edmonton’s assistant coaches.
“Just being able to come so far with this team. These people are my best friends. I couldn’t have asked for anything else. I couldn’t have asked for other people to experience this with.”
The milestone 15th edition of the Esso Cup capped the storied history of the Civic Centre, set to close after this season to make way for the flashy Cenovus Energy Hub.
The Pacific region champion Oilers were the toast of the Alberta league all season, and they continued that form at the weeklong Esso Cup, posting a perfect 5-0 record in round-robin play. Then came Edmonton’s memorable 1-0 overtime victory over the host Lloydminster PWM Steelers in Friday’s late semifinal, a dramatic night with more than 1,000 fans in attendance.
The Steelers, who had exceeded their expectations in reaching the semifinals, went on to lose 4-1 to the North York (Ont.) Storm in the bronzemedal game Saturday afternoon.
“There’s no better feeling than this,” Sage Sansregret said as her Oilers paraded the Esso Cup
around the Civic Centre ice. “But to do it with this group, it makes it even better. It’s hard not get emotional about it. They’re just a great group of girls and athletes. It’s been an honour to coach them and watch them come this far.”
FARMING ROOTS
Each of them has a story to tell, like coach Sansregret’s journey from small-town roots to become a university hockey player and now a national champion U18 AAA coach. She was born and raised on a farm just outside Consort — an Alberta town of about 600 people — and played elite hockey in Red Deer before climbing the ladder to the collegiate game.
“I grew up as a farm kid and that taught me a lot of work ethic,” said Sansregret, 24. “I’m very happy to have a lot of my family here today to be able to
watch me and my sister go through this process.”
Jayde Sansregret, 18, was a force on defence for the Oilers, who lost just one game this season as they marched toward a national gold medal after earning bronze last year.
The younger Sansregret followed her sister’s path through elite hockey in Red Deer before joining Edmonton at the U18 AAA level and moving in with her sister/coach. Jayde, also born in Consort, was nine years old when the family moved to Red Deer.
“Just being able to be in the big city (of Edmonton), playing AAA for a team like this, has always been one of my dreams,” she said. “At the time, Edmonton Junior Oilers wasn’t a thing — it was still Pandas’ hockey (during my childhood) — but I don’t think I could have asked for anything better.”
Jayde Sansregret went into the tournament as one of 16 Oilers already committed to university teams. She’s off to the University of New Brunswick next season with three of her Edmonton teammates in Keira Grant at forward, Madeline Renfree on defence and Taya Christie in net. It’s no wonder that multiple UNB jerseys were spotted among the assorted Oilers garb in the Civic Centre stands for the gold-medal game.
“It’s such an amazing campus and program,” Jayde said of joining the UNB Reds in Fredericton. “They treat you like one of their own and it’s everything that you want in a university. Every one of the girls and the coaches are like a family.”
The Oilers expressed a similar sentiment after their powerful performance Saturday, during which they scored two goals on their first four shots and led 3-0 before Saskatoon got on the scoreboard late in the first period.
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JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Jayde and Sage Sansregret share Esso Cup memories. John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
Heinrichs, Rekimowich et al relish Esso Cup goals, crowds
Skylar Heinrichs has an Esso Cup memento that’s so unique it wasn’t up for grabs at the souvenir stand during the weeklong Canadian U18 AAA girls’ hockey championship in Lloydminster.
The 17-year-old hometown forward is treasuring the puck from her overtime goal in Lloyd’s 4-3 victory over the Saskatoon Stars in round-robin action last Wednesday at the Centennial Civic Centre.
It was a must-win game for the Steelers, who rebounded from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the eventual silver-medallists and remain in contention for a semifinal berth that they later clinched.
Heinrichs powered her way down the right side and fired the puck past Stars goaltender Tarynn Sutter with 2:30 left in the five-minute overtime period. The Civic Centre crowd of almost 1,000 people went wild.
“I could hear the crowd, but I didn’t really see them,” said Heinrichs, whose teammates mobbed her amid the goal celebration. “I went down and did my celly, and then all my teammates came to me.”
As the final chapter is written on the storied Civic Centre, the Heinrichs OT goal will go down as one to remember.
“That one is definitely in my top three (career goals),” she said with a wide smile. “That’s a pretty exciting one. I’ll never forget that.
“I knew we didn’t have a lot of time left. I shot low blocker on the left side. I just saw that corner and I picked it. Luckily for me, it went in.
“I really wanted this one to be over. I knew the crowd would love it.”
Indeed, the fans loved it. For back-to-back nights, they watched the Steelers keep themselves in contention and punch their ticket to the playoff round.
“We tend to save it to the end,” Heinrichs said of the Steelers taking the comeback route multiple times. “Make it hard on ourselves, (but) make the game interesting.”
She made it a most memorable night for Lloyd fans, who’ll see Heinrichs with the Steelers again next season before she begins her university career at Mount Royal in Calgary in the fall of 2026.
She was thankful to score a season-saving goal, especially after watching from the penalty box when Saskatoon scored its second of two power-play goals in the first period.
“I took a really bad penalty,” Heinrichs said of the body-checking infraction. “I’m really glad I got that one back.”
Raevyn Neahr retrieved the keepsake puck and gave it to Heinrichs in the dressing room. Neahr, with a power-play goal, also figured in the offence.
Steelers blue-liner Jamie Hensch, with a two-point game, forced overtime when she scored on a well-placed shot with 2:57 left in regulation time, converting a slick pass from Payton Farkash.
Sadee Reinders also scored for Lloyd and Alivia Foster added two assists. Steelers goalie Harlee Houle stopped 31 shots, while Sutter blocked 25 for Saskatoon.
Heinrichs continued her heroics the next night as her two-goal performance helped lift Lloyd to a 5-3 victory over Quebec’s Etoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudiere in the battle for the last semifinal berth.
REKIMOWICH SCORES SHORTHANDED
Another hometown Steeler, captain Ryann Rekimowich, netted the winning goal while Lloyd was shorthanded in the final minute of the second period, giving the Steelers a 4-2 lead. The Quebec champions narrowed the gap in the third, but Heinrichs restored Lloyd’s two-goal cushion in the final minute of regulation. Her earlier goal was a power-play marker. Neahr, with two points, and Esme Loney scored the other goals for the Steelers. Taryn Leighton collected two assists. Houle made 27 saves against Laurentides-Lanaudiere, which tallied twice on power plays to go up 2-1 early in the second period.
The Steelers took momentum into the second intermission after Rekimowich’s goal deflated a Quebec power play that had been buzzing with two prime scoring chances for Maika Gauthier. Rekimowich stemmed the tide, intercepted a pass and broke loose to score with a deceptive low shot on goaltender Amelie Lebreux.
“I think she was sliding with me, so I decided to shoot far side and see where it goes,” said Rekimowich, who turns 18 in late May. “I was happy to see it go in.”
After intercepting a Quebec pass near Lloyd’s zone, Rekimowich staved off a defender and darted toward the net.
“It was a one-on-one battle,” she said. “I felt I had more momentum, and I could beat her in the middle. So, right about their blue-line, I cut toward the middle and just shot it on net.”
Rekimowich’s goal generated more jubilation from the packed crowd, especially from her legion of supporters, including siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Some of them gathered for a family photo afterward.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The U18 AAA PWM Steelers salute the fans after a memorable Esso Cup. John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
Hometown fans give Steelers ‘extra push’ Steelers’ Leighton up to Alberta Challenge
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Taryn Leighton is changing on the fly.
Fresh from playing seven games in as many days at the Esso Cup nationals, the youngest member of the U18 AAA Lloydminster PWM Steelers steps right into more intense hockey this week at the Alberta Challenge, the provincial showcase event for up-and-coming female players.
The six-team tournament runs from April 30 through May 4 in Red Deer, bringing together 120 elite players from across the province.
“It’s really exciting, honestly,” Leighton said Saturday (April 26). “I think it’ll settle in more tonight, but I really haven’t had a chance to think about it yet.
“I’m going to spend the next couple of days sleeping and getting rest and then be ready to go for Wednesday.”
Leighton, who turned 15 in January, played as an underager this past season with the Steelers, who have just hosted the Esso Cup national U18 AAA girls’ championship April 20-26 in Lloydminster.
The Steelers punched above their weight all week at the Centennial Civic Centre, before losing 4-1 to the North York (Ont.) Storm in Saturday’s bronze-medal game. Most notably, Lloyd lost 1-0 in overtime against the eventual gold-medallists, the Edmonton Junior Oilers, in a dramatic Friday night semifinal.
“These girls have something to be proud of,” Leighton said as the Steelers mingled at the rink Saturday. “We put our name out there for the town and they obviously supported us. And we showed them support. (Friday) night was a true believer of that.”
Leighton, who is from just outside Kitscoty, plays defence with poise that belies her age.
“Taryn is a phenomenal D,” said Steelers coach Dan Auchenberg, who’s also the general manager of the Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association.
“She plays with us as an underager and she still has three more years (of U18 eligibility). Taryn is so passionate. From the get-go, she was one of our hardest workers in everything she did. She worked extremely hard. She’s going to be successful down the road.”
The immediate road to Red Deer puts the 2010-born Leighton back among her peers for an early taste of Hockey Alberta’s elite development program.
“This is kind of my first big thing,” she said of provincial representation. “I haven’t really got a chance to think about it yet. But it’s pretty much like this week all over again, just with girls my age and younger. I get to compete in Red Deer with the best in Alberta, so it’ll be fun.”
In a season full of excitement and development for the Steelers, the end of their Esso Cup run was an eventful and emotional time for the girls as they bid their goodbyes.
Visit meridiansource.ca for the full story.
In the stands, one of her brothers sported a Rekimowich jersey from Ryann’s U15 days. “My two older brothers played hockey and that’s how I got in the sport,” she said.
Rekimowich and teammate Ashlyn Hinton are both committed to the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s hockey program, so their local fans can continue to see them play close to home. Hinton is from Mannville, while Rekimowich is one of four Steelers from Lloydminster, along with Foster, Heinrichs and Loney.
The Steelers from near and far relished the strong support from the greater Lloyd community.
“It’s amazing having this many fans come out,” Rekimowich said. “Knowing that your community is behind you, it really gives you that extra push. We appreciate all the fans.”
The Steelers finished the round-robin with one regulation win, two overtime victories and two losses. They gained fourth place with seven points, half as many as the first-place Edmonton Junior Oilers, whose unbeaten record in preliminary play included a 2-1 victory over Lloydminster early in the six-team tournament.
That point differential wasn’t as apparent Friday night when Edmonton, the eventual gold-medallist, needed overtime to defeat Lloyd 1-0 in their semifinal.
The Junior Oilers went on to defeat Saskatoon 7-3 in the nationally televised gold-medal game.
In their semifinal, the Western region champion Stars edged scored a 3-2 victory over the Ontario representatives, the North York Storm, who topped Lloyd 4-1 in Saturday’s bronze-medal game. Saskatoon and North York each had eight points after round-robin play.
Finishing below Lloyd and out of the playoff round were the Quebec and Atlantic regional champions, each with four points. In the franchise’s first Esso Cup appearance, the Eastern Stars of Prince Edward Island represented Atlantic Canada.
ESSO CUP ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 17
Taryn Leighton.
John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
Hockey prospects reach badminton provincials
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Before they line up for the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers’ spring ID camp this weekend, a couple of those hockey prospects are going to the net in another sport.
Gavin Pratt, a Grade 10 student at Kitscoty High School, and Logan Flewell, a Grade 11 student at E.H. Walter School in Paradise Valley, have qualified for the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association badminton provincials Friday and Saturday (May 2 and 3) in Red Deer.
At the zone championships last week in Lac la Biche, Pratt captured gold in junior boys’ singles, while Flewell took home silver in intermediate boys’ singles.
“I was so excited,” said Pratt, 15. “It felt just awesome.”
Pratt defeated his Fort McMurray opponent in straight sets, 21-18 and 21-14.
“I definitely thought (gold) was within reach,” he said. “I was very excited to try and get it, and pretty excited to win. Things went mostly my way. But he definitely had some skill. Not an easy opponent.”
Pratt led the U17 AAA Lancers in scoring this past season with 19 goals and 35 points in 34 Alberta Elite Hockey League games. His coach with that team was his father, Scott, who also has been a training partner in badminton.
“I’ve kind of just been messin’ around with dad forever,” said Gavin, who has been playing school badminton since Grade 7. “Just everything you get to do with him, it’s been fun. He’ll come out to (badminton) practices sometimes, and we’ve come to the Servus (Sports Centre) a few times and he’ll try to beat me.”
Another Kitscoty kid, Xavier Crawford, battled in the intermediate division before losing to a familiar face in Flewell.
“I got second in zones and second in districts, but to different people,” said Flewell, who turns 17 on May 5. ”In zones, I was able to beat (Crawford), the guy that beat me in districts, which made it so that I was able to move on to provincials.
“You’ve got to work as hard as you possibly can to do it, and it was quite a battle, but I was able to come out on top and make it to the finals.”
In the gold-medal match, Flewell lost to a formidable Fort McMurray opponent in Christoffe Fabian.
“He was very talented,” Flewell said. “I went to provincials last year, too, and it was him in the finals. He beat me last year, too. I’ve seen him four times now.”
He was also most familiar with his earlier opponent, Crawford.
“He beat me pretty good in districts, but then I was able to rally back against him in zones,” Flewell said. “So, that felt pretty good, because I know him pretty well. It’s kind of like a rivalry.”
Flewell’s mother and sister made the trip to Lac la Biche to support him, as did his grandparents from Barrhead.
Pratt’s mother accompanied him on the long, winding road trip to zones.
The pair of Lancer hockey players have a full weekend ahead, regardless of how long they remain in contention at the provincial badminton championships. Both plan to return home in time for Sunday action at the U18 hockey camp, and possibly even for Saturday evening play.
Flewell, a hard-nosed centre, is a returning player with the U18 AAA Lancers. He recorded 10 points in 38 games, with 44 penalty minutes.
“It was a fun season,” he said. “It wasn’t exactly a successful season for the team, but I had a lot of fun and developed quite a bit as a hockey player and look forward to next season. Hopefully, we can get a couple of more wins.”
Pratt hopes to step up to the U18 AAA Lancers, whose new coaching staff is led by former Lakeland College Rustlers women’s basketball coach Chris King. “I enjoy it,” Pratt said of his hockey pursuits. “It’s just so much fun, with the group of guys. We had a great (U17 AAA) team this year.”
Visit meridiansource.ca for the full story.
Gavin Pratt (left) of Kitscoty High School and Logan Flewell of E.H. Walter School in Paradise Valley have qualified for the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association badminton provincials. John MacNeil Meridian Source
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