A little rain didn’t stop the crowds from enjoying the City of Lloydminster’s annual Heritage Day at Weaver Heritage Park. Hosted by the Bar Colony Heritage Society, Friends of Weaver Park and the Lloydminster Museum and Archives, Heritage Day celebrates and commemorates the history and heritage of the area. See Page 7 for more.
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
antique farm equipment to The Chicken Dance, Heritage Day activities at Weaver Heritage Park featured something for everyone. See more on Page 7. Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE
Bylaw updates continue in Lloydminster
July 21 council meeting.
The City of Lloydminster is working to update three bylaws due to organizational alterations within city hall.
The three bylaws include designated offices, financial administration and borrowing bylaw –operating line of credit, received first reading at the
Coun. Justin Vance was curious if funding for the borrowing bylaw has to come through municipal taxes.
“Does it always have to be paid back from municipal taxes or is there other funding sources like fees and charges or anything like that,” he asked.
“This bylaw governs how we use an operating line of credit. Because the operating line of credit
Local Business Directory
is used for operating purposes, we would look to recoup that using property taxation, that’s why the bylaw is written that way,” said Adele Wakaruk, executive manager of corporate services.
The bylaws are fairly new and received a full review before being brought to council.
“When we bring anything forward, we do a full review,” said interim city clerk Shannon Rowan. “The only changes we needed to do at this point were to the title changes. Everything else was reviewed at the same time. They are fairly new. They were only brought forward in 2023.”
Changes to the bylaws were presented to council in order to address title changes. Titles such as director of public safety and executive manager of corporate services have been added.
The bylaws will return to a future council meeting for consideration.
Council updates code of ethics
Lloydminster council recently made minor changes to its code of ethics bylaw while adding additional clarity.
Council undertakes bylaw reviews every four years.
“We are legislated to keep these under review based on our records management bylaw,” said Shannon Rowan, interim city clerk. “We review bylaws every four years and policies every three years to make sure there’s no gaps (or) conflicting legislation.”
Council gave the bylaw its final two readings at the July 21 regular council meeting. The code of ethics bylaw sets out rules and expectations for council to follow.
“I think this is one of the items for our taxpayers, residents. (It) gives some direction as to how council operates and rules we operate within as elected officials,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers. “It’s great to see it updated from the city clerk’s office and the team at legislative services.
“I think it speaks really well to a clear and concise presentation.”
Section 10.3 was added to the bylaw for clarification and reads: “Given members of Council’s range of employment authority and influence, no Relative of a member of Council will be considered for employment with the City. Summer students and preexisting employees will be exempt from this requirement.”
Another updated portion of the bylaw was an increase to the value of gifts council is allowed to accept. The value of gift has to be under $350. Anything over must be provided to the city manager where they “shall dispose of the gift at their sole discretion.”
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Source File Photo
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Ladybird educates through nature
Sometimes, it’s a natural fit. For Mackenzie Elizabeth, owner of The Ladybird Company, it’s about bringing nature and education to the forefront.
“My hope is the Forest to Table events, as well as the broader work of the Ladybird Company, help build a local culture of land stewardship,” she said.
It’s something she’s been working on for five years, meticulously planning her new business.
“I have been preparing and dreaming of this business for about five years now,” she said. “We started very late in December last year.”
The name was something Elizabeth took time to create, but on a fateful Lloydminster day, inspiration struck.
After moving to Lloyd, she was greeted on her front lawn by hundreds of ladybugs, a personal favourite of hers.
“I love ladybugs. This has to be some sort of sign,” said Elizabeth. “I decided I would call it the Ladybird Company.”
Her love of nature and horticulture started long before her time in post-secondary at Olds College for horticulture, as her family had plenty of what she calls “folk horticulture” knowledge to share.
“It’s kind of a family thing for me. My parents are farmers,” she said. “My great-grandparents on my mom’s side, they were, I like to say they were horticultural geniuses.
“They were incredible farmers.”
She says she inherited the love of horticulture from them.
“They had this huge orchard where they crossbred apple trees and invented this new kind of potato,” said Elizabeth. “I always found that so magical. I guess I inherited that love from them.”
With her business now in full swing, the goal is to help teach the next generation.
“The essence of it comes from my desire to bridge this generational gap that I witnessed,” said Elizabeth. “Growing up, so many people are so disconnected from the food system and living a healthy lifestyle. What health is, how to take care of yourself, how to eat and how to interact with nature as part of it, instead of a separate entity.”
She’s travelled to St. Walburg School to teach Grade 3s, Grade 10s and Grade 12s and ran a plant walk with the Lloydminster Youth Centre.
“I dreamt of some way to make a really big difference in my local community, bringing education to people as well as healing services, healing products, a different way of pursuing health,” said Elizabeth.
Ladybird Company is a small batch apothecary, a folk-healing initiative.
“I like to say an education project in the retail space,” she explained.
She sells herbal wellness products, natural beauty products, wholesome wild foods and seeds of medicinal and native plants. She also hosts a variety of events.
“I host land-centered workshops, wild plant walks and seasonal gatherings.”
She says it’s an effort to inspire curiosity around ancestral wisdom, ecological awareness and self-led healing.
Elizabeth says she’s had good reception from the public.
“The people who engage with me are really excited to learn more,” she said. “I feel a lot of people I’ve met are wanting me to guide them in figuring this stuff out.”
Those that do engage have expressed frustration in modern medicine.
“I find people I have spoke to, they are sick of
the modern medical system and they’re feeling so disconnected from everything,” she said.
So far this year, Elizabeth has hosted 10 events in various Alberta communities, including her hometown of Tangent.
“We show up in our wild space in the park, we’ll gather and chat for a little while about what to expect, sustainable harvesting, a little bit about where this folk wisdom is coming from,” she said.
“We talk about sustainable harvesting, medicinal and culinary value and ecological importance of specific species.
“For most of my plant events, I do more of an in-depth experience. I’ll give everybody a custom hand-blended tea for the walk.”
Elizabeth said she has information print outs to give a thorough look at the surrounding nature.
The food prepared at the forest-to-table event is all hand-prepared by her.
People can find her at markets around Lloydminster and on her Facebook page called The Ladybird Company.
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Mackenzie Elizabeth hosted a farm-to-table event July 26 giving people an education-based trip through Bud Miller All Seasons Park. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
In the barn with the RCMP Musical Ride:
When you think Canada, you think traditions. Some think of maple syrup, moose and poutine, while others think of Mounties, like the RCMP Musical Ride.
The ride recently stopped in Lloydminster and the Meridian Source was able to learn about the tradition from one of its riders.
Const. Gord Tuckwell didn’t grow up riding horses as a kid. Today, he wears the red serge and performs across Canada with the RCMP Musical Ride after being wowed by them as a kid.
“When I was a little kid, I saw the musical ride perform,” said Tuckwell. At that moment, he thought becoming a police officer was something he’d like to do some day.
He was drawn to the RCMP but it wasn’t originally for the horses. That came later.
“It was actually my wife,” he said. “She said, ‘You know, that would be kind of cool for you to try.’ ”
Tuc kwell served small-town Newfoundland for six-years before getting the call to ride, but before he performed in front of thousands, Tuckwell had to learn to care for a horse.
EARNING TRUST
“You’re in the stall mucking out. You’re brushing. You’re learning how to groom,” he said. “You’re not even riding for the first month or so.”
Tuckwell now travels with the Musical Ride, a team of 32 riders and horses that perform choreographed routines to music in full ceremonial dress. His partner, Potts, is a tall, seven-year-old black gelding with a distinct birthmark on his cheek.
“Potts is very calm. He’s not scared of people. He’s not spooked by noise. He’s a good people horse,” said Tuckwell, noting he brushes Potts every morning.
“I usually feed him his apple in the morning. I don’t like to give him a treat until he’s brushed.”
The daily care builds trust.
“That’s how that bond forms. You put in the work, then you get the bond,” he said, explaining each horse is different and moves in its own way.
“You’re going to have to learn how to ride every horse you’re given,” said Tuckwell, noting Potts makes him work for it.
“It’s like doing sit-ups the whole show,” he said.
TRAINING WITH POTTS
The RCMP Musical Ride has become a symbol of national identity, performing in rural towns, cities and First Nations communities.
“At one stop, an elder stood beside Potts and said “Well, that horse listens better than my kids do,” said Tuckwell, adding it comes down to training.
According to Tuckwell, training can involve breaking a manoeuvre down to less than an eighth of the final product.
Const. Gord Tuckwell and his Musical Ride counterpart “Potts” stand inside the Lloyd Ex barns before their June 27 performance. Dan Gray Meridian Source
RCMP-issued riding boots are part of the iconic Serge on Black image the Musical Ride uses during performances. Dan Gray Meridian Source
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
trust, training, tradition
“It’s not natural for horses to go nose-to-nose. That’s a dominance thing. That’s something horses will do when they’re testing each other,” explained Tuckwell. “So, when you ask 32 horses to go noseto-nose, that takes a special kind of horse and a special kind of rider to get that trust and know the horses aren’t going to react.”
According to Tuckwell, who loves Potts and being a member of the RCMP, the ride has a very unique place in Canada’s history.
“It’s one of the fibres of our Canadianness. It’s something that stirs pride in people,” said Tuckwell, recalling when a woman came up to him after a performance at the Calgary Stampede.
“She said, ‘I didn’t know I was still proud to be Canadian until I saw you guys perform,’ ” he said. One of T uckwell’s most emotional moments came during the Sunset Ceremonies in Ottawa. Officials lowered the Canadian flag and played the national anthem during the performance.
“The anthem is playing. The flag is coming down. The horse is under you. You’re in front of all these people. You feel that sense of pride, and that pride gets me. It gets me every time,” he said.
WHY BLACK AND RED?
Tuckwell explained the contrast between the black horses and the Red Serge was deliberate.
“You get the eye-catching red on the black. That’s a very arresting sight. That was part of it,” said Tuckwell, noting the colours came from the British Household Cavalry in the 1940s.
“The RCMP wanted something traditional, yet distinct. That’s what was decided at the time and I think it’s a beautiful combination,” he said.
TRAVELLING WITH THE HORSES
“We have a massive team behind the scenes that really makes this possible,” said Tuckwell.
The horses are considered elite athletes and recieve constant care and attention.
From 24/7 monitoring to protocols dictating distances travelled per day, water and food, everything is designed for the horses.
However, being away from home is also difficult.
“You miss home, you miss your family, you miss your dog. It’s hard, but you lean on your teammates. That’s how you make it through,” he said, noting the job has its rewards.
“It’s one of the most amazing feelings in the
world,” said Tuckwell. “When you and that animal are doing the same thing at the same time.”
Tuckwell and Potts travel across Canada wowing crowds while recruiting the next generation of officers and inspiring pride in being Canadian.
Now on the back of Potts, the dreams of a kid from Kingston, Ont., who was inspired to do this many years ago are now a reality.
Christian Apostolovski MERIDIAN SOURCE
MUSICAL
Boundary Auto Wars metal-twisting fun
The inaugural Boundary Auto Wars packed the grandstand at the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association on Aug. 2. The day included multiple rounds of demo derby action on the infield, a dance competition, a beer chugging contest and a mini Mario-Kart inspired derby for the kids. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
Lloyd celebrates past with Heritage Day
Lloydminster’s history was on full display at Weaver Heritage Park on Aug. 4 with Heritage Day activities.
The annual event kicked off with a pancake breakfast and wrapped up with a tractor parade.
Hosted by the Barr Colony Heritage Society and the Lloydminster Museum and Archives, the day included wagon rides, a petting zoo, games and activities for kids and antique farming equipment.
AUG 13, 4-7 PM BUD MILLER ALL SEASONS PARK
MEET THE MIGHTY MACHINES
Get up-close and hands-on with the machines that keep Lloydminster running—fire trucks, snow plows, sweepers, and more!
This FREE family event lets you meet the operators and learn how your taxes support local services.
Also featuring info booths on street improvements, the 2026 budget, and the Trails and Sidewalk Master Plan!
Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE photos
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Two new lights for 75 Ave. in south end
More traffic lights are being installed in Lloydminster near a new development on 75 Ave. Lights will be installed on 75 Ave. at 12 St. and 19 St., with work being done by Primary Engineering.
“The project will include the installation of new traffic signals to help maximize the level of service and safety at these two intersections,” said James Rogers, senior manager, capital infrastructure.
“The scope of work will be limited to the design, construction, and commissioning of traffic signals and associated signage.”
Work is expected to take place during the upcoming fall and winter season.
“Construction for this project is anticipated to start in October and is expected to be completed by April of 2026,” said Rogers.
Coun. David Lopez asked who provides for the services for the intersection after the lights are installed.
“Can-Traffic Services Ltd. has our standing offer agreement for traffic signal maintenance,” said Rogers, noting city contracts have a two-year maintenance and warranty agreement.
“So, they will come out and do the fall and spring maintenance on these new traffic signals. At the end of the two-year warranty period, we will transition those into our general pool of traffic signals.”
Rogers also commented on the work Primary Engineering and Construction Corporation has done in the past.
“We have not worked with Primary before, but as part of the tender process, we have looked at their reference projects,” he said. “We have made some calls to see who they are and who they’ve done work for. They are a reputable company.”
Coun. Justin Vance inquired about the price, as the lights going in near the Cenovus Energy Hub cost $776,795 compared to $824,862.13 for the 75 Ave. project.
“We have seen some escalation in the steel to put up the traffic signals. We’ve seen some escalations in the cameras, the type of hardware to actually build the traffic signals,” said Rogers, noting the projects are basically identical.
“We did also see a bit of a price escalation because of the time of year we’re trying to install these in preparation for the development happening in that quadrant of the city.”
Rogers also said they’re expecting minimal disruption to traffic in the area during construction.
“We’ve written it into our contract that 12 St. and 75 Ave. must maintain service at all times,” said Rogers.
Council approved a motion to award the contract to Primary Engineering and Construction Corporation in the amount of $824,862.13, with a contingency allowance of 10 per cent in the amount of $82,486.21.
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Stock Photo
Lloydminster Rescue Squad
Their specialty: saving lives with community support
The Lloydminster Rescue Squad can be depended on when disaster strikes across Western Canada.
From humble beginnings, the squad’s growth has led to it becoming a premier organization, specializing in rescues near and far from home.
They are one of a handful of teams that deploy quickly and quietly, without asking for a pay cheque.
According to the squad’s chief, Norm Namur, credit for its creation goes to the late Graham Howey. After responding to multiple collisions where responders were using bare hands and hand tools, he was inspired to make a change.
“We’re touching hydraulics and gas, and then we’re working on patients. So, he decided to look into how to get tools,” recalled Namur.
Howey approached the Lions Club, and with its support, was able to purchase a set of cutters and jaws. Tools the squad still uses today.
From those tools, six volunteers and a rebuilt truck, they have grown to what you see today at community events, car shows and public information sessions.
With roughly 22 volunteers, the squad responds to serious collisions, water rescues and calls for missing people. Volunteers do it for the community, and often for people they don’t even know.
“They must have a passion for helping people,” said Namur. “They want to give back to the community.”
Over the years, the squad’s added drones, boats, underwater sonar and ice-rescue tools. All those tools were inspired by calls they’ve attended and realized they didn’t have the right gear at the time.
That gear has taken them well beyond city limits to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, rural lakes and even major cities. Sometimes, people recognize them, even when they are hours away from home.
“Someone said, ‘Hey, I’m from Lloyd. I know you guys,’ ” said Namur, recalling a case near Diefenbaker Lake, located about four hours southwest of Lloydminster. “That’s cool. We’ve had that in Edmonton, too.”
One spring, the team returned to a previous call site with its airboat after a tragedy over the previous winter. Namur recalled finding the victim would provide closure to the family.
“(The airboat) was the only reason we found the individual,” he said, noting there are very few of them across either province.
Today, just like with the Lions Club, community donors fund many of the tools the squad uses. Names like Cenovus Energy, CNRL and Boundary Ford are among the big supporters. However, Namur says the smaller donations matter just as much.
“You start adding those up, too,” he said. “Without them, Lloyd Rescue would certainly have a different look and certainly a different outlook.”
The team also visits local schools to teach water safety, life jacket use and overall preparedness.
To stay current, the squad heavily leaned into new technology and uses side-scan sonar to sweep lakes and rivers when searching for drowning victims. Drones give them aerial views to help spot missing people and GPS
tracking and radio systems keep everyone connected in real-time.
Last year alone, the public and other charities helped the squad raise more than $765,000 for new gear and training.
“Having the right tools saves lives,” said Namur. “It lets us work smarter, not just harder.”
Another change Namur has seen is a decrease in the squad’s service area.
“We used to go everywhere,” he said. “We went to the County of Vermilion River, up north, right to Payton.”
They still respond to calls for service in the RM of Wilton, however, most local agencies now have their own rescue tools.
“If our response area gets smaller, but more and more people can do the same thing we do, that’s OK,” he said. “That means the individual in trouble is getting aid faster.”
As others catch up, the Lloydminster Rescue Squad remains ready and continually innovates to improve, ready for the next call and save lives across Western Canada.
The MERIDIAN SOURCE is published once a week, on Thursday.
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Gray Matters: Blinded by the tint
You can always count on certain people to miss the point.
After the RCMP’s weekend blitz that led to 98 charges and 32 executed warrants, it took minutes for social media to fill with complaints that it was all about window tint, which is illegal due to visibility and safety concerns. The usual claim followed, “Police were targeting harmless drivers while real criminals got a free pass”
That idea is both demeaning and false.
Officials confirmed that only eight of the tickets were related to tint and seatbelts. The other 90 were for more serious infractions. I watched two people get pulled over for running red lights that weekend.
This goes back to that point I mentioned in a previous column about luck. The only difference between a horrible collision and getting pulled over was luck.
Now, back to what the RCMP and partners actually did those days. A total of 32 outstanding warrants were executed on 18 people. Five of them were remanded into custody. Others were released with conditions or through judicial interim release. These were not minor charges. These were people wanted for serious offences.
This was not a roadside cash grab. It was targeted, deliberate and effective policing.
You do not plan a multi-agency blitz like this overnight. It takes staff, overtime, co-ordination and time away from families. They didn’t do that just to hand out tint tickets. They did it to get dangerous people off the streets, which they did.
Since people keep bringing up the tint tickets, let’s talk about them. Alberta and Saskatchewan
laws are nearly identical, no aftermarket tint on front windows (minus the very top in Sask.). Like it or not, that is the law. Enforcing it is not petty. It’s the job.
What is petty is verbally attacking officers online for doing their job then blaming them when crime happens in the community. We can’t have it both ways.
Want fewer repeat offenders? The problem is not the police. The problem is the system that keeps letting them out.
Local RCMP officers can arrest someone with 20 warrants and a violent history, but they can’t control what happens next.
Adobe Stock photo
A heavy-truck show kicked off Boundary Auto Wars Demolition Derby events at the Lloydminster Exhibition over the weekend. The heavy-duty display featured everything from custom builds to classic haulers. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Thursday, August 7, 2025
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Chris’ A-Z: I return a married man
My wife and I have been planning our wedding since we arrived in Lloydminster over a year ago. This year, on July 31 at Border Inn and Suites, we finally had the opportunity to tie the knot.
The day was filled with so much love, it’s almost hard to believe. I don’t think you realize the impact you can have on someone’s life until they’re forced to tell you during a wedding speech.
My close group of friends, I’ve known for nearly two decades. We’ve been through plenty of hilariously dumb things together. I was fully expecting to go and relive some of my less than stellar moments, instead I heard about the impact I had on everyone’s life and what I meant to them. I’ve always tried to lead with love in my life and I’m glad I could have an impact on my friends. It’ll be a moment I will never forget in my life.
Of course, the highlight of the day was the beautiful bride Hope Apostolovski, formerly Macdonald. As of July 31, we’ve been together four years. We met at a radio station we worked together at; it was a chance encounter in a small B.C. city.
I luckily managed to wait until I saw her coming down the aisle before I started crying, but the music was trying to pry my happy tears out. Standing in front of all my friends and family, seeing everyone smiling made the day feel even more magical. It’s something I’ve imagined for a long time, but not even the most vivid imagination could create a scene as beautiful.
When I was writing my vows, I found it hard to sum up my love in a few hundred words, despite being a writer by trade. In that moment I realized that love is something that can’t simply be described, but something that is acted out. I think back to all the simple moments I got to share with my beautiful bride. I remember the silly moments, the hard moments, the gifts, the adventures and the love that we share. I believe love is everlasting, if you’re willing to work at it.
I was so thankful to all my friends and family that could make it, and I was also very lucky to become part of my wife’s family. I know the old cliché of people complaining about their in-laws, but I feel truly blessed with the
GRAY
If that person is released within hours, the fault lies with a justice system that focuses more on release than on deterrence. If we are going to point fingers, we should at least aim them in the right direction.
In the meantime, the officers doing this work deserve
credit. They’re not perfect, but they’re present. They respond when we call, they enforce the laws on the books and they put themselves at risk to make our communities safer.
So, no, it was not just tint. It was real work, real results and it deserves real respect.
new family I gained. My father-in-law Ian Macdonald, mother-in-law Crystal Macdonald and brother-in-law Conner Macdonald have all welcomed me with open arms. They were there to celebrate with us and had incredibly kind words and gestures to help welcome me into the family.
The wedding and all the amazing memories shared is something I won’t soon forget. I look forward to the rest of my life sharing it with the love of my life.
Taylor Weaver Photography
MATTERS FROM PAGE 10
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion. To place an event, email
Passport to YLL
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.
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
Frenchman Butte Museum Festival
The 35th annual Frenchman Butte Museum Festival is schedueled for Sunday, Aug. 10, and kicks off with an outdoor gospel service at 11 a.m. The day honours the heritage that shaped the area and will also include live entertainment, a parade at 1:30 p.m. and a roast beef supper at 5 p.m. Looking to make a weekend out of the event? The Frenchman Butte RV Park is on the museum grounds.
Pubnight at the Legacy Centre
The Legacy Centre is hosting a pubnight on Aug. 20. Doors open and dancin’ at 5 p.m. and supper is at 6 p.m. Dance the night away after supper! Cost is $20/person at the door. All members and guests welcome. Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more.
Spades Tournament
The Legacy Centre is hosting a spades tournament on Aug. 21, starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $10/person to play and $12/person for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more.
Kaiser Tournament at the Moose Lodge
The Moose Lodge is hosting a kaiser tournament on Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. Registration is from noon to 12:45 p.m. All players must register by Aug. 21. Cost to play is $20, which includes snacks and tea/coffee. Prizes for the top
three teams. Contact Arne at 306-821-7459 or Bruce at 780-522-6972 for more details.
Cribbage Doubles Tournament
The Legacy Centre is hosting a cribbage doubles tournament on Aug. 28, starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $10/person to play and $12/person for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more.
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
Gord Cormier at the Legacy Centre
Back by popular demand, Newfoundland’s Gord Cormier returns to the Legacy Centre on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $30/person and can be purchased at the Legacy office. Come out for a night with Gord Cormier and his “Country Legends Tribute Show” along with some Newfoundland songs, stories, jigs and reels! Call the Legacy office for more info at 780-875-4584.
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
A Day-Away with the Legacy Centre
The Legacy Centre is hosting a “Day-Away” bus trip to the Mayfield Inn on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Te bus leaves at 7:30 a.m. and will be home by 5 p.m. Leaving and returning to the Legacy Centre parking lot - aboard Charlie’s Charters Coachline. The brunch is at 10 a.m., the show is “The Simon & Garfunkel Story.” Cost is $189/person. Limited seats available!
Drought-like conditions affecting agriculture in the MD of Bonnyville
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Dry conditions are wreaking havoc in the Municipal District of Bonnyville, leading to a state
of municipal agricultural disaster.
The MD made the declaration at the July 22 regular council meeting following recommendations from the General Manager of Environmental and Protective Services.
The MD doesn’t currently meet drought guidelines but the lack of precipitation in the 14-day forecast will have them meeting the Rural
Municipalities of Alberta drought standards in the next two weeks.
Matt Janz, general manager of environmental and protective services, recently conducted field inspections and found the quality and quantity of canola crops will be greatly reduced at harvest.
“There are many farmers in our area that would say we are already in an agricultural state of disaster,” said Reeve Barry Kalinski. “Many farmers are having to feed extra because the pastures can’t sustain the cattle. We have farmers looking at selling animals because of it.”
Janz also indicated cereal crops will suffer if the municipality does not receive a significant amount of moisture in the next week.
More information about drought-related programs will be made available on the MD’s website.
City to gather Civic Centre history
“There’s so many great stories and so many great pictures to share that people can reminisce about over time and share with the younger generation.”
The Centennial Civic Centre has proudly served the families of Lloydminster and the city is now looking to capture the history of the old barn.
“The city’s looking for pictures, memorabilia, things like that to help share that story,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
With the upcoming opening of Lloydminster’s brand-new arena, the Cenovus Energy Hub, the Civic Centre will be permanently decommissioned and eventually demolished.
In hopes of honouring the Civic’s tenured history, the city is looking to residents to bring forward any items that show off the Civic in its heyday.
“There’s people that have been here for longer that can share stories and history from some of the famous acts that appeared in the Civic Centre,” said Aalbers.
BFD takes break from wildfires
ment operations, demonstrating exceptional commitment,” said BFD.
The city is hosting a cabaret and concert as a final celebration in the rink. The event takes place Sept. 27 with supper, presentations and live entertainment by Brayden King and the Hillside Outlaws.
The Civic Centre first opened its doors in 1967, bringing with it a large new ice surface to the city. For generations, the arena has welcomed thousands of people hosting everything from hockey games, to concerts, weddings, graduations and cultural celebrations.
For more information and to submit any old photos or stories people can do so at Lloydminster.ca
After three long weeks of battling wildfires in northern Saskatchewan, Britannia Fire Department (BFD) has been rotated home, if only for a short while.
Before being released by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, they spent their final night securing structures that were under threat.
Later that evening, they were deployed to Little Amyot Lake to secure structures under threat.
“Their prolonged night involved strategic firefighting and extinguish -
“With SPSA’s co-ordination, crews will shortly return home for a welldeserved break and vehicle upkeep, recognizing the indispensable role of supporting crews and the resilience of families waiting at home.”
Part of that upkeep required the tanker truck to recieve a new set of tires and a few other minor adjustments it required.
The work was completed by Ben Lenko, who’s with Meadow Lake Fire Department in time for the crews to be redeployed.
Historical photo of the Centennial Civic Centre. City of Lloydminster photo
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER
Courtesy of Britannia Fire Department Facebook
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Lakeland pushes for innovative instruction at emergency training centre
Lakeland College’s Emergency Training Centre (ETC) is building new tools, partnerships and programs to better prepare emergency responders for a rapidly-changing world.
ETC Dean Shawn McKerry said the college is working to become a national leader in hazardous materials training and emergency response to new energy sources. The college has already partnered with Transport Canada and is
pushing for a federally supported hub.
“We’ve been engaged with Transport Canada for the last year and a half,” said McKerry. “We’re talking about how we can better support the transportation of dangerous goods in Canada.”
He said momentum has been growing since the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster more than a decade ago. However, there’s still no public training site dedicated to rail emergencies in Canada.
“There’s been lots of talk about establishing a centre of excellence in dangerous goods’ response, but we’re in the 11th or 12th year since that disaster,” said McKerry, noting Lakeland College is well-positioned for the job.
“Transport Canada came for a tour and really enjoyed what we could offer,” he said. “They thought there would be a great opportunity for a partnership.”
McKerry also said the college wants to stay ahead of the risks brought on by new vehicle and energy technology, which includes lithium batteries and hydrogen fuel.
“We have not figured out a good way to fight lithium car fires or lithium battery fires. They’re now all over the place,” he said, adding hydrogen presents different problems.
“You can’t see it. It’s got a wicked flammability range.”
He hopes the government will invest in infrastructure that allows the college to safely burn hydrogen on-site.
“Provincial and federal investment could set us up to burn hydrogen here and then start to train people,” he said.
Lakeland is already leading a four-year clean-burning research project, now in its third year, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada and international experts. The goal is to make smoke from diesel and crude oil fires less toxic and more manageable.
“We’re trying to make the black smoke go away,” said McKerry. “We’re taking some additives, adding it to the product and burning it.”
The work could help reduce the toxic load during oil fires and spills.
“We can use it for in-situation burning,” said McKerry. “You just light it on fire and try to burn off as much as you can so you have less to clean up in the ditch afterwards.”
Beyond dangerous goods, Lakeland continues to expand hands-on training infrastructure.
McKerry pointed to recent additions like the truss tower system, vehicle props and, most recently, a confined-space training prop.
“It really feels like you’re underground,” he said. “It did make a few of them uncomfortable, which is kind of the point.”
He said the school is also trying to get a salvaged bomb suit to add to its collection for students to learn from.
Other upgrades include a donated bridge for vehicle training, a new offshore-style platform for rope rescue and three mobile homes for scenariobased fire response, which were donated by local municipalities.
Inside the classroom, the college houses a fully-functioning emergency operations centre to support incident command training. The centre includes ICS 100 to 400 courses, position-specific learning and full municipal simulations.
“We can be running a situation out in our field and have a team back here being the operations team,” said McKerry.
Lakeland is hoping to secure a mobile command unit from the province, which will allow them to simulate emergency co-ordination in the field.
DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER ..................................
Two of the trucks which belong to Lakeland College’s Emergency Training Centre. Dan Gray Meridian Source photos
15 Thursday, August 7, 2025
Xtreme go 22-0, net provincial gold
Clutch scoring in third periods set the tone for a celebratory August long weekend that ended with the Lloydminster Xtreme winning the team’s first provincial junior B lacrosse championship in seven years.
In each of their four wins over four days at the Tier 2 provincial tournament in Calgary, the Xtreme meshed timely scoring with stingy defence right down to the final buzzer of Monday’s 9-8 gold-medal victory over the Southern Alberta Chaos of Taber.
Faced with four intese games, Lloyd ran the table and capped a perfect 22-0 season that included 16 wins in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League regular season and six more in the playoffs.
“We just kept fighting, knowing what we can do, and executed when it mattered,” said Xtreme 11th-year coach Graham Murray, who also guided Lloydminster to its provincial title in 2018.
“In all the third periods this past weekend, we only gave up two goals (combined) in those four games. It was a case of playing clutch.”
Graduating goaltender Ryker Gamble exhibited that big-moment presence in style, springing across his crease in the dying seconds to preserve Lloyd’s championship win and trigger the celebration.
“Ryker stood on his head,” Murray said.
“And we had a huge performance from rookie Blake Sheppard. He iced every single game in the third period, including the championship goal with two minutes left on Monday.”
It was the second time in as many days that Lloyd, the North Division champion, defeated the South Division-winning Chaos. The Xtreme prevailed 8-1 on Sunday when the eventual finalists met each other in preliminary play.
Murray knew the Chaos had rested some of their best players Sunday, so he still expected a hard-fought battle the next day. With injuries mounting, Lloyd didn’t have the same luxury of sitting out top guns in advance of the final.
The Xtreme depth was indeed extreme, as other players stepped up in the absence of the injured Ben Stachniak (arm), Zander Ryan (hand) and Eric Wallis (knee).
“It was a total team effort,” Graham said. “It took our whole 24-man roster. We are a sore bunch, but it was great to win.”
It was a big weekend for Vermilion’s Sheppard, the double goal-scorer Monday. In the North Division championship game Friday night, he fired a third-period hat trick in an 11-7 victory over the Sylvan Lake Yetti. He added two more tallies in the final period of Saturday’s 9-3 win over the host Calgary Wranglers.
As always, Lloyd received heady performances from their offensive leaders. Jayden Plamondon collected six goals and nine points in the four weekend games, while Jace Gunderson and Dalyn Hepburn each posted eight points and Sheppard and Rogan Macnab had seven apiece. Alex Hill added a couple of three-point games and Wallis had a two-goal night.
This year marked the fourth straight season that Lloydminster has won a provincial junior B medal, including two silver and one bronze.
The golden finish this year was particularly gratifying for the Xtreme’s four graduating
players — the long-serving Gamble, Hepburn and Plamondon, along with relative newcomer Larrin Thiessen, back in town this season after playing junior football with the Edmonton Wildcats.
After a silver-medal finish last year, Murray changed his pre-championship game speech this Heritage Day.
“In past years, I’d revert to a championship speech my rugby coach (in Ontario) used to give, which basically ends with, ‘I’d rather be a lion for one day rather than a lamb my whole life.’
“But, with this one, I thought I had to try something different, and talked about just how good of friends everybody on the team is. The friendship group that we have is something special. ‘If we are selfless, we will win this game.’ I think it really summed up our team.”
Next year, the Xtreme will certainly miss their four graduating players, but the future remains bright.
“We’ve been a perennial provincial contender every year since 2018,” Murray said. “I think we run the best Tier 2 program in lacrosse. If kids don’t want to go play Tier 1 and they want to stay home and play with their friends, this is the place to do it.”
Lloyd’s two provincial championship lacrosse teams shared similarities, despite the seven-year gap between them.
“A common theme between both teams is that we had great goaltending, with great defence and clutch scoring from our offence,” Murray said.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Lloydminster captains (from left) Brady Gamble, Owen Hill, Jace Gunderson and Jayden Plamondon accept the trophy and banner in Calgary as the Xtreme are crowned provincial junior B Tier 2 lacrosse champions. Submitted photo
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Pirates hold heads high after silver-medal finish
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Lloydminster Prairie Pirates proved to be more than worthy hosts of the provincial 13U AA Tier 2 baseball championship, in which they finished second only to the champion Parkland Twins Blue.
The Twins rallied from an early deficit and scored nine runs in the fifth inning on their way to a 13-7 victory in the gold-medal game Sunday night (Aug. 3) at the Driven Energy Legion ballpark.
“We worked hard in this final game, but unfortunately it doesn’t come through (with a Lloyd victory),” said Pirates coach Trent Kusch. “And that’s the sport of baseball — sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t.
“We won six of seven innings (and otherwise) we win this ball game 7-4. But unfortunately, they put up a nine-spot in one inning, and that’s part of the game. We competed every single out. We could have given up one more run to get it into a mercy (finish in the fifth), but the boys decided to work hard and get that last out. We came back a little bit and put a little pressure on them.”
The Pirates scored three runs during a final push in the top of the seventh inning, and left a couple of runners on base as the Twins sealed the deal.
“As I told the boys after the game, it sucks working this hard and not getting rewarded, but that’s sport,” Kusch said. “That’s why we play, to go out there and compete with our friends and compete with people that really care for us and go show off what we’re capable of.”
MARATHON OPENER
The Pirates showed aplenty throughout the weekend, especially in grinding out a heat-soaked Friday afternoon game that stretched to the evening. Three and a half hours later, Lloyd prevailed 13-12 in nine innings against an equally resilient Hanna Wildcats squad.
Including a hard-fought 7-5 semifinal victory over the Consort Cubs earlier Sunday, the Pirates posted a 2-2 overall record in the well-balanced provincials.
“It was a great tournament,” said Kusch, repeating a common sentiment heard around the Lloyd ballpark. “One thing it really showcased was there were six teams here and every team had a win, and every game was a battle. There was a couple of extra-inning games, there was a one-run game, and there were no mercy games on the weekend.
“It was just teams going at it and playing hard all weekend at a top level. It was very impressive to watch, every single game. I watched a lot of baseball this weekend, and all six teams who were here had a shot to win. Some teams got a few bounces, some teams didn’t, but they were great baseball games played by great teams, coached by great coaches as well.”
HOSPITABLE HOSTS
During the closing ceremonies, Parkland coach Ryan Murphy thanked tournament director Ashlee Foster and the many volunteers for staging such an entertaining and well-run event.
“Thank you very much to the city of Lloydminster and the Lloydminster Pirates,” Murphy said in an interview afterward. “Everything was first rate this weekend. I’ve been in lots of provincial tournaments, and this one was second to none. So, great job by everybody.”
While speaking about how proud he was of his team, Murphy was doused with a cooler of water over his head as the boys from Spruce Grove and Stony Plain celebrated their championship.
“It’s the kids,” said Murphy, whose son Cooper closed the championship game on the mound. “They work hard all year for one goal, as a team. Even when things weren’t looking like it was going our way, the boys found a way to dig deep and found a little bit extra in the tank and got ’er done.”
It was an emotional and loud final, during which Murphy credited his players for staying composed amid highs and lows.
“Sometimes they kept me in check a little bit, too,” he said with a smile. “They’re well-trained. I was getting pretty fired up at some points when things weren’t going our way. We had a couple of mental errors. But I had faith they could rebound and get it all done, and sure enough.”
The Parkland Twins Blue celebrate after their 13-7 gold-medal victory over the Lloydminster Prairie Pirates in the 13U AA Tier 2 provincial baseball final Sunday in Lloydminster. John MacNeil Meridian Source
The 13U AA Lloydminster Prairie Pirates accept their provincial silver medals from coach Trent Kusch. John MacNeil MERIDIAN SOURCE
‘VERY REWARDING’
Murphy was thankful he decided to return to coach one more season this year, after originally planning to step aside.
“Coaching is a very rewarding experience, and I wouldn’t trade this memory for the world.”
Including a 9-5 win over the Lacombe Dodgers Blue in their semifinal, the Twins played back-to-back games Sunday to finish the tournament.
Parkland went 3-1 overall in provincials, including an 8-3 victory over Lloydminster and a 9-7 loss to Hanna.
In the consolation final, the St. Albert Cardinals Red defeated Hanna 7-6. The championship game later Sunday pitted an older Parkland team, with eight second-year players and four rookies, against a youthful Lloydminster club, with 10 first-year players and just two veterans (Khessler Foster and Sam Purser).
PROMISING FUTURE
The youth movement is an encouraging sign for the future of Border City baseball, especially at the 13U level. One week before the Pirates hosted the Tier 2 championship, the Lloydminster Twins won their 13U AA Tier 6 provincials, again with a predominantly first-year lineup.
Kusch credited each of his 12 Pirates for stepping up at various points during the weekend.
“We had so many players make so many plays at so many times,” he said Sunday, recounting a few of those highlights.
“I’ve got to shout out to our starter from this morning, Kobe Sankey. He threw an absolute gem. He threw five and two-thirds innings to get us (to the final). He gave up two runs to the first two batters of the game, and then he said, ‘No more,’ and he shut them down.
“Adam Tindall played 30 straight innings at shortstop all weekend. That’s something you don’t expect, as a coach, out of an 11-year-old, but he was willing to do that at an elite level.
“You had Sam Purser batting fourth and driving in lots of runs, and he caught so many innings. One through 12 on the roster made contributions.”
Among those turning points, second baseman Jace Bannerman enabled the Pirates to outlast Hanna in Friday’s extra-inning marathon. Bannerman owned the ninth inning, turning a double play on a line drive, and then
making another catch for the final out.
‘GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP’
Earlier in that game, Bannerman and Tindall earned praise as they each gave an encouraging tap to an opposing player, Wildcats home-run slugger Levi Gall, as he hobbled around the bases despite an injury.
“Good sportsmanship there,” observed one of the Hanna fans who was watching from the sidelines.
“Yeah, I like that,” said another.
Such respect typified the example set by Kusch and the rest of the Pirates’ coaching staff during the provincial tournament and all season. They kept the game fun, even in heartbreaking moments like Sunday’s loss.
Kusch, also player-coach with the senior Lloydminster Twins of the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League, enjoys baseball so much that he headed to Seattle the morning after the 13U provincials to watch the Mariners in three Major League games. He teaches at Holy Rosary High School, where the sports lineup includes baseball and softball instruction.
Clockwise from left: 13U AA Pirates’ pitcher Cohen Bergerud gives a fist pump after Lloyd’s extra-inning win over Hanna. Tegan Tichkowsky captures the spirit of the opening ceremonies. Brecken Pedde lines up a hit. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos
PIRATES FROM PAGE 16
Bonnyville prodigy Rivard takes it out of the park
Despite two dogs barking loudly nearby on the same property, the distinctive ping of a baseball bat is heard repeatedly from even outside an indoor training facility in St. Paul, Alta.
Step inside Joe Young’s baseball development centre and witness 16-year-old rising star Rogan Rivard heating up the batting cage, hammering balls one after another on pitches from his father Reg, a former professional player from Bonnyville.
As they’ve done many times, the Rivards have driven about 40 minutes from home for a Saturday morning batting practice. On this occasion, they’re making the most of a brief July visit home for Rogan, best known as Rogy to his friends and across the baseball landscape.
In his case, that territory stretches far and wide, despite his youth. After a standout rookie season at the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball in southern Alberta, the speedy outfielder from the 2027 graduating class has spent most of this summer in Georgia, training and playing with elite-level teams in pristine ballparks.
“Don’t waste a day,” said Rivard, a member of Team Alberta for the Canada Summer Games this August in St. John’s, N.L.
“Committed to doing that extra work, I try to always keep that in the back of my head and try to make the best of every day. Don’t give away a day — that’s the motto that I live off.”
The sweat dripping down his forehead would attest to Rivard’s determination and dedication. He replicated that intensity just an hour later during a multi-faceted gym workout at home in Bonnyville.
A few days later, Rivard returned to the U.S. to participate in back-to-back high-profile events.
He was among the top uncommitted players in the nation — and beyond — at the Prep Baseball Report (PBR) Future Games near Atlanta. For that showcase, Rivard was the lone Canadian with Team Utah.
His next stop was the Future Stars Series in Houston. Rivard made such an impression that he has been invited back for the Future Stars main event this fall for the 2027 graduating class.
The fact that event’s timing — late September or early October — is dependent on the Major League Baseball playoff schedules for the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros is a measure of the magnitude of the prospect spectacle.
‘NOTHING LIKE IT’
“Oh, it was unreal,” Rivard said Aug. 2 after his late July auditions in front of hundreds of college scouts. “There was nothing like it.
“It was the most elite competition that I’ve ever faced, for sure, since all the talent was really good. Just all the best players from North America.”
More than 200 kids threw 90-plus miles per hour during the PBR showcase.
Rivard even overcame a red-eye flight from Calgary on the eve of the Future Games testing day, still managing to score exceptionally well in multiple categories. His bat speed — 86.5 mph — was off the charts.
“It was tough, not getting a good night’s sleep the night before, but you’ve just got to grind it out and go through it,” he said. “You can’t make excuses. But it went well. It was a really good experience.”
Playing in state-of-the-art ballparks, Rivard looked the part of a promising prospect during those showcases for 2027 graduates. He did likewise all summer with his Georgia club teams, climbing an age level to 17U, with players graduating in 2026.
POWER AND SPEED
Recognized for his dedication to baseball, from training religiously to adhering to a strict nutrition-focused diet, Rivard is truly a student of the game. He maximizes off-field habits to create optimum on-field success, especially his hitting power and speed on the basepaths.
No going through the motions. No fast food. No ice cream and cake. No partying.
But he couldn’t be having more fun.
“I do it because I love it,” said the solidly built Rivard, almost five-foot-nine and 165 pounds. “I wouldn’t be doing all this stuff if I didn’t love the game.
“I’ve always been one of the hardest workers on the field. I always will be.
“I love baseball because it’s my life. It’s all I do. It’s all I care about, really. My end goal is to be a Major League Baseball player.”
Of course, Rivard cares dearly about his family, too, carrying with him a photo of he and his parents and younger sister Alessia wherever he goes in his baseball travels.
“They’re my biggest supporters and I feel they’re always with me.”
He’s proud to be representing Bonnyville and Alberta, not only in the Canada Games at St. John’s, N.L., but in all parts of his journey.
After playing and training in Bonnyville, Lloydminster and Sherwood Park through his minor baseball years, he moved to Vauxhall last fall and batted leadoff as a Grade 10 freshman with the reputable academy program.
RANKS AMONG VAUXHALL’S BEST
Vauxhall’s legendary coach is Les McTavish, who was Reg Rivard’s roommate at Washington State University. For the past two decades, McTavish has mentored more than 200 players who have gone on to play collegiate and pro ball. He projects Rogy Rivard is on track for the upper echelon of that
distinguished group.
“We’re going into our 20th year with Vauxhall and Rogy would rank right at the top,” McTavish said. “He would be in the top five to 10 players that have ever came through the program.
“When it comes to how he prepares his body and his mind for games, and how competitive he is. He just plays the game with high energy, fearless, which is kind of refreshing in today’s day and age, with social media and all the hype that gets put up around guys. But one thing about Rogy, he’s always ready to play, no matter what.
“He’s been raised very well by his mom and dad and certainly has a very bright future.”
Rivard was also a competitive hockey player before electing to focus on baseball and follow in the footsteps of his father. Baseball runs deep in Rogy’s family roots in Bonnyville, where the Peter Kushnir ballpark is named after his greatgrandfather.
LESSONS FROM FATHER
His father’s tutelage and guidance have been integral in Rogy’s development.
“My dad has been around it,” Rivard said. “He knows the ins and outs of everything about how players are, and why guys are so good.
“My favourite player is Corbin Carroll, a right-fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s kind of the player I look up to. I think we’re very similar. We’re both lefty outfielders and just fast. A gritty baseball player.
“I’m a fast player, I run the bases really well, and I like to steal.”
Rivard’s grit manifests in multiple ways, not the least of which is his ability to battle back from injuries. With help from the Toronto Blue Jays’ medical team, he had a screw inserted in his left arm as part of his recovery from a 2024 summer injury. He was pitching for the 15U AAA Sherwood Park Athletics at the Canada Day Classic in Okotoks.
“On the fourth pitch of the game, the growth plate on my left elbow snapped off,” he said.
“That was probably the most adversity I ever faced. I had to get surgery in July (2024), and it took a long time to heal. I ended up missing the whole fall.”
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
From high-profile showcases in the U.S. to the Canada Games in St. John’s, N.L., it’s been a whirlwind summer for Team Alberta’s Rogan (Rogy) Rivard, a 16-year-old outfielder going into Grade 11 at the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball. Submitted photo
Fink races to gold at track nationals
EDITOR
A rising athletics star from Paradise Hill, Sask., paced her way to a national under-20 gold medal at the Canadian track and field championships on the August long weekend in Ottawa.
Kate Fink, who just turned 17 in the spring, won the 400-metre hurdles competing one level up from her U18 age group.
“Being only 17 years old, it honestly feels amazing,” Fink said in an Athletics Canada interview after the race.
“This is just one big part in my journey and knowing that I did this just gives me a lot of confidence.”
Fink’s winning time was 60.26 seconds, just shy of her personal best of 60.19. Her goals this season include trying to break 60 seconds.
She’s right back in action this weekend (Aug. 8-10) as she competes in Calgary at the Legion youth nationals for a third and final year.
Fink is a member of the Split City Sonics track club in Lloydminster. She’s going into Grade 12 at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School.
Fink has commuted to the Comp since Grade 10 as she prepares academically and athletically for an anticipated jump to NCAA Division 1 athletics within a couple of years.
Her readiness for this summer’s major national meets in Canada included running in multiple U.S. events.
“We were doing some competitions in the States, just because there is more competition down there,” said Fink’s mother, Raschel Zeschuk. “We were in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and we were at the Nike nationals in Eugene, Oregon, just in June, so she has some experience competing down there.
“The Nike nationals were right during (high school) finals. She had to write a couple of finals early, and then we headed down to Eugene.”
The Canadian championships last weekend gave Fink another taste of high-level competition and a trackside view of Olympic-calibre athletes in action.
“This was kind of a new experience,” Zeschuk said. “It was our first time travelling to the U20 nationals. It’s pretty interesting, because it’s U20 but they also have higher-up-level athletes competing at the senior level. So, there was a lot of Olympic athletes there who were just at the Olympics in Paris this (past) year, and they were competing, too.
“It was fun to be at the same type of competition and seeing some
Jets unite at Canada Games
ROBOTIC ARM
of those athletes compete.”
Fink also competes in the 100m hurdles, but her main event is the 400m hurdles.
At national meets in recent years, it’s been a steady progression for Fink. Two years ago at the Legion nationals in Sherbrooke, Que., she placed third in Canada in the 200m hurdles. Last year in Calgary, she posted a silvermedal finish at nationals.
Climbing atop the podium this year, Fink’s latest achievement in Ottawa was a proud moment for her entire family.
“It was exciting for her to get that gold in an age group up,” Zeschuk said. Fink also plays hockey but her true devotion is track. She’s continuing a family tradition in representing the Sonics. That’s the same track club her mother was part of back in the day.
During his recovery, he went from wearing “a really big cast” to a smaller cast and eventually was equipped with a robotic arm that he even wore while sleeping and eating.
“I feel like it helped quite a bit within the healing process,” said Rivard, who didn’t miss a beat when he finally made his Vauxhall debut and became a home-run threat.
Earlier in the spring of 2024, Rivard suffered a concussion when he ran into the fence in centre field while diving to catch the ball.
“I ended up hitting my head on the fence,” he said. “The ambulance had to come on the field. That was a bit of a setback, too. It just made me realize to be more aware of my surroundings and just take a breather. It for sure helped me in the long run, just to be better in that aspect.”
Rivard has been able to fine-tune his game and grow not only as a player, but also as a person. He believes living away from home with billets, and in dorms with his Vauxhall teammates, has matured him and made him less shy and more confident.
After the graduation of 11 players this spring, the Jets are counting on leadership from the likes of Rivard and two of his Canada Games teammates, Calum Andersen and Matthew Getz. Calgary’s Andersen also played in the same Future Stars Series as Rivard.
At the Canada Games tournament Aug. 10-16, they’ll see a string of past, present and future Vauxhall players representing their respective provinces.
“I’m super-excited to represent my province in that big event, the Canada Games,” Rivard said. “It’ll be an honour just to compete with that type of competition, all from Canada. It’ll for sure be one of the highlights of my career thus far.”
Before departing for Newfoundland, Team Alberta practised in Calgary, where Rivard also participated in tryouts for the annual Blue Jays national showcase.
“At the end of the day, my long-term goal is to go pro,” he said. “A short-term goal is to be on (Canada’s) junior national team in the next year or so. Just make the best of every day, just take it one day at a time, and don’t give away a day.” RIVARD FROM PAGE 18
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS
With an Olympic -themed backdrop, Kate Fink, 17, of Paradise Hill, Sask., captured the gold medal in the under-20 400-metre hurdles at the Canadian track and field championships in Ottawa. Submitted photo
13U AA Twins garner provincial gold
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Lloydminster Twins recovered from a rocky start and went on to win Baseball Alberta’s 13U AA Tier 6 championship in St. Albert.
Lloyd won three straight games after suffering a one-sided loss in its opener in the six-team tournament on the July 26-27 weekend.
“The kids never cease to amaze you,” said Twins head coach Brian Brewer. “They showed up.
“Saturday, it didn’t start out that great. Sunday, they decided to hit the ball, and they didn’t stop until it was over, so it was great.”
The Twins defeated the Kneehill Kings 17-10 in the gold-medal game Sunday evening. That’s the same Kneehill team that beat Lloyd 13-3 a day earlier in Game 1.
In their semifinal victory Sunday afternoon, the Twins knocked off the host St. Albert Cardinals Blue 17-7.
Lloyd kept itself in contention Saturday afternoon with a 6-3 preliminary round win over Leduc’s Black Gold 47s Black.
“That 6-3 game kind of the ball rolling in the right direction,” Brewer said.
“Owen Thor pitched the first five and a bit innings of that game. He probably started the year middle of the depth chart, as far as pitching goes, but really grew throughout the year, for sure.
“He kind of has the ‘I want the ball’ mentality. He’s got a lot of confidence and carries himself well. He was the shining light on that game and ended up taking home the MVP (honours) for the whole provincials.”
Thor is among eight first-year players with the Twins.
“It’s an exciting group of kids, that 2013-born age group,” said Brewer, whose son Declan, an outfielder and solid hitter, is in that mix.
Lloyd graduates three players in Ridley Briggs, Jettah Gardiner and Emmett Hiron, all moving up to 15U.
On championship Sunday, the Twins made an early statement in the
Above: The Lloydminster Twins are the provincial 13U AA Tier 6 baseball champions. In the back row (from left) are assistant coach Adam Thor, head coach Brian Brewer and assistant coaches Joel Bolton, Bart Hiron and Dave Gardiner. In the middle row (from left) are Gabriel Hollington, Emmett Hiron, Oskar Larsson, Owen Thor, Ridley Briggs, Declan Brewer and Jettah Gardiner. In the front row (from left) are Slade Fulgham, Kolby Gardiner, Jett L’Heureux and Grady Bolton. Lying on the grass is batboy Trig Gardiner. Submitted photo
in the tournament.
“Your goal at the start of the year is to keep growing and getting better, from the end of April until July, and then it was just one of those weekends,” Brewer said. “Everything kind of clicked, especially on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.”
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PAGE 21
Thursday, August 7, 2025
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