August 31, 2023 Digital Issue

Games Night in Martensville

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

If you are looking for adult activities to do in Martensville, check out the new page being shared on Facebook called Martensville Games Night.

The purpose of this group is to create a Friday evening Games

Night to unwind after the week’s hustle and bustle and they are looking for people to show interest in supporting this event.

The idea is to provide a fun-filled evening for adults over the age of 18 with thrilling games, and an opportunity to meet your neighbors, gain new friends, and just get out of the house and enjoy yourself now that summer is winding down. Some ideas for games would be Heads Up card games, and karaoke night to name a few. The plan is to look at several different local locations to host monthly with different games every time and welcome new games or old games and any suggestions you may have.

Like and share their Facebook page, ‘Martensville Games Night’ https://www. facebook.com/groups/208213198619906 to help get this event going.

Martensville & District Kinettes Hold Annual General Meeting

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville & District Kinettes is holding their General Meeting on Tuesday, September 12th at their Kin Room located upstairs at the Martensville Recreation Centre.

This non-profit service club has been running in Martensville since 2019 and continues to serve the community’s greatest needs.

They not only do work in the community but also concentrate on fellowship and fun, and members are welcome from any community surrounding Martensville. They have social outings and love spending time together.

The Kinettes have been very fortunate over the years helping the community with difference events such Santa Tours, Adopt a Family, KIN Canada Kindness Day, and TeleMiracle, to name a few.

Members continue to be in awe of their community and continued support by attending fundraising events, projects, donating as sponsors, and spreading the word about what this club is all about.

If you are interested in becoming a club member, you can email martensvillekinettes@gmail.com, message them on Facebook, or call Christine at 306281-7668.

Cleaning up After our Pets

It is not just a mess, it can potentially be harmful to other pets exposing them to illnesses such as parvovirus. Let’s keep pathways and parks clean and safe for everyone and their pets. Bring a baggy or find one in the many stations throughout the City along our pathways or in the dog park.

September Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in person, guests may wear a mask if desired within Council Chambers. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk or visit the online agenda for the link to attend.

September 5th – Regular Council Meeting

September 12th – Committee of the Whole

September 19th – Regular Council

All Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers - Martensville City Hall - 37 Centennial Dr. S.All meetings commence at 5 PM.

Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details.

The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca

Saskatchewan RCMP Plans For Take Off With Unmanned Aircraft In Every Detachment

The Saskatchewan RCMP polices 99% of the 651,900 square kilometres that make up the province.

Keeping our Lanes and Properties Clean, Fall Back Lane Clean-up Coming in September!

Placing garbage, materials or waste in our lanes is unsightly, can attract pests, be unsafe and impede maintenance or access to properties.

Property owners along a boulevard or lane are responsible for ensuring these areas are cleaned up. Key points under the Nuisance Abatement Bylaw include:

- The owner or occupier of property along a boulevard or lane shall ensure that the portion of the boulevard or lane next to the property, up to the centre line of the lane, is kept free and clear, at all times of weeds, uncontrolled growth of grass, plants and tree/shrub overgrowth.

- Dumping or placing any garden, vegetation, waste materials or tree branches along the boulevard or lane is against the municipal bylaw and subject to enforcement

- Use of lanes or boulevards for the dumping of household furniture, building materials or tires is not permitted.

Questions about Boulevard or Lane Maintenance can be referred to City Hall or consult the Nuisance Abatement Bylaw at Martensville.ca

The City of Martensville conducts an annual back lane and general clean-up once a year with this year’s dates being:

September 25th-28th for neighbourhoods North of Main Street

October 2nd -5th for neighbourhoods South of Main Street

Items may be placed for pick-up one week before the scheduled pick-up. There is only one pass so please have your items out no more than one week prior to your neighbourhood’s scheduled start date.

In the interim please utilize the Loraas Landfill. Waste placed in lanes before scheduled back lane pick-up times remains regulated under the Nuisance Abatement Bylaw and is subject to enforcement.

Recreation Program Update

ABOVE: The Sky Fury (Fixed-wing) is used by the RCMP in the search and rescue of missing persons, responding and monitoring critical incidents such as armed and barricaded individuals in a house and disaster response, and when monitoring a forest fire approaching a community. (Submitted by the RCMP)

In order to provide efficient and effective policing services, it is important to modernize and keep up with advancements in technologies to help ensure public safety. That’s why the Saskatchewan RCMP has been employing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly referred to as drones or unmanned aircraft, to capture aerial images and videos in support of RCMP policing operations since 2010.

In January 2023, the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) ‘Expansion Project’ began with the objective of having at least one RPAS pilot and one unmanned aircraft in every detachment across Saskatchewan by April 2024. The objective of this Expansion Project is to ensure members have the necessary tools available to them – allowing them to respond to calls quicker and more efficiently when warranted.

To date, 29 front-line detachment officers have been trained as RPAS pilots and 33% of Saskatchewan RCMP detachments have an unmanned aircraft available to them.

Why utilize air support for police operations? - Unmanned aircraft allow RCMP officers to approach investigations, unfolding critical incidents, and public safety concerns in a more modern, innovative, and efficient way. Calls for services can be responded to quicker, crime scenes can be seen from a bird’s eye view, and suspects can be located with lower risk to them, the public and our officers.

Effective and efficient – Unmanned aircraft can cover a large area in a short amount of time when conducting a search and rescue mission for a missing person. For example, Meadow Lake RCMP recently deployed an unmanned aircraft after receiving a report of a missing hiker. The hiker, who ended up being approximately 500 metres off the marked trail, was spotted by the RPAS pilot who identified the hiker’s GPS coordinates. This allowed officers on ATVs to easily locate the individual and bring them to safety – time is of the essence when dealing with harsh weather conditions and/or vulnerable missing people.

Lower risk of danger for both officers responding to a call and nearby community members – Unmanned aircraft can increase accuracy when locating and monitoring a suspects’ location and determining if they are armed. This allows for the Saskatchewan RCMP to respond to unfolding incidents with an appropriate number of officers and specialized tools if necessary. By gathering timely and accurate information, officers can also clear areas of a community if there is a safety risk.

Aids investigations for vehicle collisions and major crime scenes – At a crime scene, evidence can easily be spotted from the aerial view which may not be as easily spotted from ground level. For example, the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Collision Reconstruction Analysts are able to use an unmanned aircraft to gather evidence after motor vehicle collisions (eg. tire marks, pieces of a vehicle, etc.). It also allows for evidence to be presented in court from an aerial vantage point, encompassing the whole scene.

The public’s privacy matters! - The safety and privacy of the public is of the upmost importance to the Saskatchewan RCMP. These unmanned aircraft are only used to assist investigations and calls for service when warranted.

- If there is an expectation of the public’s privacy, officers must obtain a judicial authorization or consent from the property owner to employ an unmanned aircraft. Consent and judicial authorization are not required when operating within public property such as streets, roads, parks, Crown land, etc.

- The RCMP does not use unmanned aircraft to perform widespread surveillance under normal circumstances. Unmanned aircraft can be used for surveillance purposes only with prior judicial authorization, or where urgent/serious incidents impacting public safety make it impractical to first obtain a search warrant.

- RPAS pilots are required to document every unmanned aircraft flight – Where the flight took place, why it took place, and for what purpose. This ensures the technology is being used properly and following Federal laws and regulations.

- The video/images captured by the unmanned aircraft is not equipped with facial recognition technologies nor does it have the ability to analyze footage or still images for the purpose of facial recognition.

- In the event that images must be retained for investigative purposes, the digital files must be stored as an exhibit on the operational file (e.g. crime scene footage to present to the Court) in a secure RCMP building.

The Fall Program Guide is now available. View the guide online to see what programs and events are coming up this Fall.

The Fall Monster Garage Sale takes place on September 15th -16th. The registration fee is $5 and includes your address listed on the flyer along with the map of Martensville, balloons, and a Monster Garage Sale sign. Flyers will be available for pick up at gas stations, the MAP, and City Hall.

Culture Days is September 22-October 15th. Culture Days is FREE to attend and offers fun and engaging activities – both in-person and digital - suited to all ages and abilities.

Monday, September 25th – All about Scuffles, 6PM North Ridge Centre

Monday, October 2nd- Holiday Trinkets, 6PM North Ridge Centre

Watch for more updates around the Culture Days schedule.

POLICE BEAT

Warman RCMP Looking For Assistance in Finding Suspect

Warman RCMP are looking for the assistance of the public in identifying the person in the attached picture. This suspect is believed to be involved in numerous thefts in around the R.M. of Corman Park. Anyone who with information is asked to contact the Warman RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Investigating Suspicious Death in Emma Lake

On August 22, 2023 at approximately 10:20 a.m., Prince Albert RCMP received a report of an unresponsive male on MacIntosh Point in Emma Lake.

Officers immediately responded and located a deceased adult male in an outdoor location. He has been identified as 27-year-old Phillip Okemow from Sturgeon Lake First Nation. His family has been notified and Victim Services offered to them; our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

Based on information gathered to date, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes is investigating Philip’s death as a homicide. Prince Albert RCMP Forensic Identification Services processed the scene and the Saskatchewan Coroners Service has conducted an autopsy. Residents in the Emma Lake area may notice an increased police presence as the investigation continues. If an increased risk to public safety is identified, we will notify the public. Anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding Phillip’s death, or who saw or had contact with him on the evening of August 20 or the early morning hours of August 21, should contact their local police of jurisdiction immediately. Dial 310-RCMP to reach your local RCMP detachment. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Weekend Rodeo Being Held in Honour of Ray Kneeland with Proceeds Going to TeleMiracle

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

For many local residents, when you think of TeleMiracle, you can’t help but think of Ray Kneeland. Kneeland, who passed away in December of 2022, raised over $600,000 for the provincial fundraiser throughout the years in a wide variety of ways, including rodeos, so what better way to honour such an incredible human than to host a memorial rodeo?

On September 2nd and 3rd, the Ray Kneeland Memorial KCRA Rodeo will be held at the Delisle Rodeo Arena, with all proceeds from the event going to TeleMiracle in his name. This event will feature a wide array of family friendly activities including fast action rodeo, local vendors, food trucks, family entertainment, face painting, calf scramble, rooster scramble, beer gardens and two nights of cabaret. “We wanted to do something to honour Ray and make sure that his 20 years of raising money for TeleMiracle lived on. We want TeleMiracle to know that they can still rely on the equine and agricultural community to be a part of things because we know how important this cause was to Ray,” Erin Franko, one of the event organizers, stated.

ABOVE: Ray Kneeland, who passed away in December 2022, was very passionate about his fundraising for TeleMiracle.

The idea for this event came together this past January after a group began to brainstorm ways to continue to raise money for TeleMiracle. “We all felt like it was a good fit and a great opportunity,” Franko added.

Franko explained that the rodeo days would kick-off at 8am with slack events including barrel racing, team roping, breakaway, junior steers and more. Rodeo performance with all of the events will begin at 3pm, and the cabaret will begin at 9pm each day.

Entry for the rodeo is free for ages 0-4, $10 for ages 5-13, $20 for Adults (13+), with two-day passes available as well for $30 – Adults, and $90 – Family. The event will be cash-only so be sure to come prepared. It is also recommended that you consider bringing your own chair as well.

“Ray was so dedicated and passionate about raising money for TeleMiracle, so we will continue to do fundraisers each year. We will see how the rodeo goes and decide from there if this is something we want to continue to do,” Franko said.

So far, there has been a lot of positive feedback and support for the event and Franko noted that people have been really happy to come on board and support such a great cause to help keep Ray’s name alive.

“He has touched so many lives throughout the equine and rodeo community. I think we all grew up riding out at the OK Corral and he provided a home for rodeo families and kids. We really hope that we have a good turn-out and we know that Ray would be so happy to see everyone coming together for TeleMiracle.”

For more information about this event, visit the ‘Ray Kneeland Memorial Rodeo’ Facebook page.

ABOVE: Zaid, Rhett, Ryder and Corban, all talented players from the Sask Five Giants were in Woodstock, Ontario with Team Saskatchewan to play in the 13U Canadian National Championship this past weekend. Team Sask finished with a 2 and 3 record. (Sask Five Giants Baseball Association)

LEFT: Sask Five Giants 15UAAA players Kash, Rhett and Axel participated in the 2023 Ray Carter Cup Canadian National tournament in Laval, Quebec, playing for Team Saskatchewan. (Sask Five Giants Baseball Association)

Great Plains College Announces New Continuing Care Assistant Program in Warman

Great Plains College is pleased to announce the addition of a part-time Continuing Care Assistant program to its Warman Campus offerings.

The first courses are set to run November through May in the 2023-24 academic year, with additional courses scheduled to start in 2024-25. Applications are now being accepted.

“Continuing Care Assistants are an essential part of the healthcare system and we know there is a shortage of trained staff in many communities across Saskatchewan, including Warman and surrounding areas,” said Keleah Ostrander, vice president, programs and students at Great Plains College. “We’re looking forward to bringing our first healthcare program to the Warman Campus and playing a part in training more students for a rewarding career as healthcare professionals.”

Students enrolling in the CCA program will be prepared for a career in healthcare through a combination of hands-on classroom learning, labs and clinical experience at the Warman Mennonite Special Care Home. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to work with the elderly and clients of all ages.

“Access to post-secondary education training can be challenging for those in rural communities so we welcome the addition of this new CCA program to Warman, which will provide another option for local training in an in-demand field,” said Martin Penner, administrator at the Warman Mennonite Special Care Home. “We’re happy to partner with Great Plains College to provide clinical experience for the incoming CCA students, giving them a chance to practice their skills in a long-term care setting, and providing a direct link to employment within our facility or the many others hiring CCAs in our region.”

Students beginning the part-time program can anticipate completing the full Continuing Care Assistant certificate in two years.

To learn more about the Continuing Care Assistant program or to apply, please visit greatplainscollege.ca/cca.

SaskTel begins to rollout 5G network in Warman and Martensville

Earlier this month, SaskTel announced it has recently begun rolling out its 5G network in the cities of Warman and Martensville. Delivering hyper-fast data speeds, SaskTel’s 5G network is bringing a new level of connectivity to residents and businesses across Saskatchewan. Available today in parts of Warman and Martensville, SaskTel anticipates the majority of both communities will have 5G coverage by the end of March 2024.

“The launch of SaskTel's 5G network is great news for the people of Warman and Martensville,” said Terry Jenson, MLA for Martensville-Warman. “The substantial investments SaskTel is making to upgrade their wireless network to 5G technology will support growth across Saskatchewan and ensure we remain one of the most wellconnected provinces in the country.”

"This is an exciting announcement for the residents and business community in Warman,” said City of Warman Mayor, Gary Philipchuk. “Modern technology and ‘hyper-fast’ connectivity are essential to a vibrant, growing community like Warman. SaskTel expanding its 5G network to our city will help Warman continue to be a premier destination to live, work, play and invest.”

Currently, SaskTel’s 5G network can deliver data speeds of up to 1.2 Gigabits per second (Gbps), and as it matures the network will provide significantly faster speeds. Other future benefits of 5G will include massive network capacity and ultra-low latency, all of which will enable new use cases for emerging wireless technologies that will be the foundation that next-generation innovations will be built upon.

"5G technology has the potential to transform the way we connect and interact with the world,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel President and CEO. “More than just faster data speeds, 5G will further enable the deployment of new and exciting smart technologies that will help enhance the quality of life and drive economic development across Saskatchewan.”

The continued expansion of its 5G and fibre networks are a direct result of the record setting investments SaskTel is planning to make in 2023/24 and their commitment to invest more than $1.6 billion of capital across Saskatchewan over the next five years. In order to connect to its 5G network, SaskTel customers need to be within a 5G coverage area, have a 5G capable device that is certified for use on the SaskTel 5G network, and subscribe to a 5G compatible wireless plan.

For more information about SaskTel's 5G network, visit www.sasktel.com/5g.

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Letter To The Editor: Moving Forward

To the Martensville Community, for those in the education sector, fall is a time of new beginnings. I would like to welcome all students, families, and staff back for a new school year.

This fall will be a new beginning for me personally as well.

As of August, I have moved out of the community of Martensville and the Prairie Spirit School Division. I am sad to leave behind the community that has been my home for the past 20 years, but it is time for me to begin a new chapter. With my move, this also ends my eligibility to continue as a Prairie Spirit Trustee and I will be resigning from the Board effective August 31, 2023.

It has been my honour to serve the Martensville community as its elected representative on the Prairie Spirit Board of Education since 2009, the same year that Martensville became a city. It has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. I was afforded the opportunity for personal growth and professional development in a unique way, that very few can experience. I am forever grateful for the trust the community placed in me to be their voice at the Board table through a time that saw exponential growth in the community. I was involved in the construction of one new school and the major expansion of another. I have always said I became involved in the school community councils, and eventually the Board, simply as a mother who wanted to be involved in her children’s education. With my role on the Board, I became a “mom” to all the children in Martensville’s public schools and throughout the Prairie Spirit School Division, and a voice for the families of those children.

Elected representation is a pillar of democracy and a right worth defending. Martensville needs a voice at the table of public education. I would ask that the residents of Martensville hold the Prairie Spirit Board of Education accountable and press for a bi-election for a Trustee for Martensville within the required six months following my resignation. It is my hope that strong candidates will step forward to represent Martensville.

Martensville holds a large stake within the school division. Prairie Spirit is still considered a rural school division, and yet 50% of its student population sits within urban settings. Those urban communities have representation from only 2 out of 11 seats on the Board. There are quite different questions and issues that arise for families and schools in cities. As Martensville begins to expand across the highway this will pose many questions and logistical challenges for families and the school division with planning for ways to address student needs and the construction of new schools. These are some of the questions that I leave for the community and future Trustees to consider going forward.

Thank you for allowing me to be your advocate for the last 14 years. Martensville is a great community and a wonderful place to raise children. I wish you all the best.

Bonnie Hope Trustee – Martensville Prairie Spirit Board of Education

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

Strong Credit Rating for Saskatchewan Affirmed

Our province has received more good news about its economy; Moody’s Investors Service has affirmed Saskatchewan’s Aa1 (stable) credit rating and outlook. Along with the AA (low) rating from DBRS Morningstar and the AA rating from S&P Global Ratings, Saskatchewan’s strong financial outlook has now been affirmed by all three major rating agencies. Our government will continue to be fiscally responsible by paying down debt while investing in programs and services that impact the lives of Saskatchewan people.

HHR Action Plan Update

One of the major priorities for our government is the health care system. Through the Health Human Resources Action Plan, our government continues to increase health care training opportunities for Saskatchewan students and graduates. As post-secondary students head back to school this fall, we wanted to remind you of some of the opportunities available for those seeking career opportunities in health care here in Saskatchewan. Approximately 550 new training seats have been added to 18 high-priority occupations, building upon the addition of 150 nursing seats announced in 2022. The College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan has added four seats to its undergraduate program for this year as well, with plans to add another four next year. More educational opportunities are available through interprovincial training agreements. Saskatchewan students can access 15 seats at the University of Alberta in the Speech Language Pathology program and four seats at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in the Environmental Public Health Program.

Our government recently announced a new bursary program for students and recent graduates of paramedic programs who commit to joining Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Saskatchewan. The Final Clinical Placement Bursary is available to students in eligible health disciplines and has already seen a high uptake with 100 bursaries approved since April.

Beginning later this month, Saskatchewan will begin implementing an accelerated, streamlined pathway for internationally-educated nurses that shortens licensure timeframes from months to 14 weeks. Nurse recruits from abroad will be supported through the process, from recruitment through to their work placements and settlement in a new community.

Saskatchewan is a great place to pursue a career in health care; for more information on any of these opportunities, please visit www.Saskatchewan.ca/HHR.

Drought Assistance for Producers

This year has brought dry conditions to Saskatchewan and our government is committed to supporting farmers and ranchers. The Water Security Agency (WSA) just announced it will make water and vacant land available to support farmers and ranchers. For more information, producers can contact the WSA’s Client Service Centre at 1-866-727-5420 or client.service@wsask.ca.

Earlier this summer, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) doubled its low yield threshold, allowing farmers to salvage their cereal or pulse crops as livestock feed. For more information on this initiative, contact the SCIC at 1-888-935-0000 or visit www.scic.ca.

Our government has also reached out to the federal government and asked for an AgriRecovery assessment to determine what assistance could be provided to producers. The province also requested an early designation of the federal Livestock Tax Deferral Program to provide producers facing potential feed shortages with more options as they consider if they need to liquidate part of their herd.

Our government continues to stand up for Saskatchewan’s best interests. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact my constituency office at 306-242-2111 or office@ terryjenson.ca.

Education Minister Announces New Parental Inclusion And Consent Policies

Education Minister Dustin Duncan today announced new parental inclusion and consent policies for Saskatchewan schools. As of today:

• Schools must seek parent/guardian permission when changing the preferred name and pronouns used by students under the age of 16 in the school;

• Parents/guardians must be informed about the sexual health education curriculum and have the option to decline their children's participation; and,

• Boards of education must immediately pause involvement with any third-party organization, such as ARC Foundation and the SOGI 1 2 3 Program, connected to sexual health education as the ministry undertakes review of educational resources to ensure alignment with curriculum outcomes. Only teachers, not outside third-parties, will be able to present sexual education materials in the classroom. This directive does not include professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

"Our government has heard the concerns raised by Saskatchewan parents about needing to be notified and included in their children's education in these important areas," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said.

"We also determined that while all of Saskatchewan's school divisions had policies dealing with these matters, those policies varied from one division to another, so it was important to standardize these policies and ensure consistency of parental inclusion, no matter where your child goes to school."

"Parent/guardian involvement is critical in every student's education," Duncan said. "Schools will continue to ensure safe learning environments where all students feel included, protected and respected."

Parent/guardian consent for students under 16 will now be required to change a student's name or pronouns in the school. For students 16 and over, parent/guardian consent is not required.

ABOVE: Bonnie Hope

Lions Club Hosts Grand Opening for New Mobility Playground in Martensville

Shanine

Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville & District Lions Club is proud to unveil the newest addition to the community – the Lions Mobility Park, located in Lions Park at 416 6th Avenue South. This park is the first of its kind for Martensville and is accessible for everyone, including those in wheelchairs and walkers. It also includes a rubberized surface, making it that much safer for those that are utilizing it.

The rubberized surface, which was made from the soles of 13,000 Nike shoes and 10,000 recycled tires is currently the largest rubberized park within Saskatchewan, and this project marks one of the biggest projects that Nike has been involved in within the country.

The Lions Mobility Park grand opening took place on Saturday, August 26th from 11am-2pm and included a barbeque with hamburgers, smokies and hotdogs, as well as drinks, dainties and some games for all those attending. According to Lions Club Member Leslie Truitt, there were approximately 300 people in attendance for the event.

Construction for the new mobility playground began this past May, and not only was the playground revamped, but Truitt noted that the older playground items are now working more efficiently and safer for those using them.

“The Lions Club really wanted to ensure that the park was a place that everyone could enjoy and so we wanted it to be accessible to everyone. The mobility playground is connected to the Spray Park and the Pavilion and has a lot of options, including 3D animals, an electronic game, a swing that works with a wheelchair and a ‘gen swing’. We did this so it is accessible for anybody and an entire family can come and enjoy all of the aspects of the park and provide a place for all kids to have that experience and just enjoy being a kid,” Truitt added.

The more than $400,000 project was made possible through the hard work, dedication and fundraising efforts of the local Lions Club, as well as numerous local businesses, Shercom Industries, the Lions Club International Foundation and the City of Martensville coming on board to support the Lions Club dream of having a playground that was accessible to everyone.

“We are so happy that we were able to deliver a park for mobility in the community. It didn’t happen

overnight, and took years to get it to this point, but we are very pleased with the final product. It would not have been possible without the support of the community, and that makes us even more proud to know that this project was entirely community-based. We are so proud of this community and so grateful for the support that they have given us,” Truitt stated, adding a special thank you to Maria Fowler, who Truitt stated was “the spark that got the fire going”.

The barbeque held during the grand opening was provided free of charge to those attending as the Lions Club’s way of saying thank you to the community for all of their support throughout this project.

ABOVE: The Lions Mobility Playground was created to be accessible for wheelchairs and walkers and provide a safe, and fun atmosphere for the entire family to enjoy. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

ABOVE: The Martensville & District Lions Club members, along with the District Governor for Lions International Foundation Bernie Kramchynsky (red blazer) during the August 26th grand opening of the Lions Mobility Park. (Submitted by Leslie Truitt)