June 8, 2023 Digital Issue

Spray Park Open

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

The Lions Park – Spray Park located at 416 6th Avenue South in Martensville is now open daily from 10am – 8pm.

This popular park features 17 different spray features and rubber surface offering plenty to young and old.

They have a gazebo that provides shelter to host family outings and special events, and plenty of green space available for a variety of games.

Make sure you come out and enjoy this mobility friendly park.

The Martensville Aquatic Centre Officially Open for the Summer

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

With the recent hot temperatures we have been experiencing, residents of Martensville will be happy to be able to now cool off at the Martensville Aquatic Centre which opened this past Saturday, June 3rd.

For the month of June, Parent & Tot swim will take place Saturday and Sunday from 11:45am – 1pm. Public Swim will operate from 1pm until 8pm on the weekend, and 3:30pm – 8pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Lane Swim runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8pm-9pm.

Registration for swimming lessons will be taken on-line and at the MAP for the durations of the summer during regular business hours. The full schedule for the Aquatic Centre can be found in the City of Martensville Summer Program Guide, which was delivered to mailboxes throughout the community last month. Copies can also be picked up at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion, or viewed online on the City of Martensville and Martensville Messenger websites.

If you have any questions regarding swimming lessons, hours of operation, or other general inquires, contact the Aquatic Centre at 306-931-0003 or email aquatic@martensville.ca.

Council Discusses Parking on Centennial Drive

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The first Martensville City Council meeting of the month was held on Tuesday, June 6th and covered a variety of topics including a public hearing regarding a zoning bylaw amendment for a subdivision of commercial lands east of Mirond Road along Main Street. This land is planned to be rezoned from Future Urban Development (FUD) to C2A Commercial, which would see three commercial lots created for marketing in the area.

Council also discussed the installation of street lights on 16th Avenue North between Besnard Drive and Main Street, with North Ridge Development Corporation responsible for lighting along 16th Avenue, and the City of Martensville covering the lighting on Main Street in the area, as it is classified as an arterial roadway. The report, provided by Matt Gruza, Director of Infrastructure noted that since the last conversation in June on this topic, SaskPower has switched the contractors that are used for streetlight installation and have updated the quote, which will cost the City $2538.09 more than the previous quote, which needed to be approved by Council before work can commence on this project. The final item on the agenda was a discussion item regarding parking on Centennial Drive North, which currently allows parking for a maximum of two hours on the roadway; however, due to the recent changes made along this stretch of Centennial Drive, the consultant has recommended that the continued practice of allowing parking be reviewed.

ABOVE: The Martensville Aquatic Centre is now open for the 2023 season.

Reminder to Clean-Up after Our Pets

Please be reminded to clean up after our pets on the pathways and the off-leash dog park. The mess can be potentially harmful to other pets, exposing them to parvovirus and these public spaces are for everyone to enjoy. Remember to bring along a baggy or use one of the baggy stations located along the pathways and dispose of the mess properly.

Residential Fire - Related Regulations

Martensville Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to take care and be mindful of the regulations for Residential Outdoor Fire Pits, Barbeques, and Fireworks to ensure the safety of themselves and others in our community.

Regulations include:

- Fires must be contained within a non-combustible fire box constructed of material such as cement, brick or metal and covered with a heavy gauge screen and be at least 3m form combustible materials (fences, buildings etc)

- The burning of rubbish, leaves or clippings is prohibited

- Outdoor fires must be supervised and should be extinguished when finished

- Keep a garden hose, pails of water or a source to extinguish a fire nearby

- No permit is required for private fireworks display but those fireworks must be set off in a manner that would not create danger or nuisance to neighbors

- No person under the age of 18 shall set off fireworks

- Ensure you have the civic address of your residence prominently displayed in the event of fire or emergency; this is to ensure responders can clearly identify your home

For a complete list of regulations please visit martensville.ca or contact the Fire Department.

Organics/Green Bin Program is Underway

The City of Martensville offers a Green Bin program through Loraas Organics. This service is by subscription.

Pick-up of the Green Bins will have regular scheduled bi-weekly collection alternating between North/South Martensville and commenced in May and runs until the end of October Pick-up takes place on Tuesdays.

The pick-up schedule can be viewed at Martensville.ca

For information or to sign up for this program contact the Utility Clerk at City Hall.

POLICE BEAT

Warman RCMP Ask for Public Assistance in Identifying Theft Suspect

On Tuesday May 30th at approximately 4:00pm, a male entered a business on the 200 block of 1st Avenue in Borden. Employees noticed the male concealing two Milwaukee power tools and then walking out of the store. The male was confronted by employees and one of the tools was recovered, however the male took off with the other tool which was a Milwaukee M18 Impact 1/2” Torque Wrench. The male was not identified and Warman RCMP are looking for assistance in identifying this person. Anyone with information is asked to call the Warman RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Warman RCMP Investigation Determines No Child Luring Occurred

On May 29, 2023 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Warman RCMP received a report of a potential child luring on Peters Street in Warman.

Warman RCMP immediately responded. They conducted extensive patrols and continued a priority investigation and have now concluded, based on evidence collected, that no luring incident occurred.

Warman RCMP is releasing this information to assure the community that no risk was identified after fulsome investigation.

However, investigators remind parents that it’s important to regularly discuss safety tips with children. Remind them to never go anywhere with someone they don’t know or trust, and to report any suspicious activity to a trusted adult as soon as possible.

Buster Days 2023, June 9th, 10th and 11th

Activities include a Slo-pitch Tournament, Beer Gardens, Inflatables, Fireworks, Parade, Pancake Breakfast, Strongman Provincial Qualifier Competition, Corgi Races, and so much more!

Consider helping out as a volunteer and be part of Martensville’s main annual community event.

Visit busterdays.com for more information and schedule of the weekend’s events. Thank you to all volunteers and sponsors!

Landscaping or Working on your Property this Summer?Things You Should Know

To eliminate damages to public properties, the City has created the Access to Private Property Through Open Spaces Bylaw.

Permit required - Any person or business that will be driving a vehicle or equipment over city open space to access private property are now required to apply for a permit before gaining access. A permit is also required if the work will require storage of material or equipment in an open area.

If you require access to your property through a public space, buffer or park, please contact City Hall before doing so.

Please consult the Bylaw for more information or contact City Hall if you have questions before starting your project.

June & July 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.

June 13th – Committee of the Whole Meeting

June 20th- Regular Council Meeting

July 11th – Committee of the Whole Meeting

July 18th – Regular Council Meeting

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 Officers Work to Ensure Safety, Connection With Healthcare During Mental Health Emergencies

As the provincial police service, frontline Saskatchewan RCMP officers are often the first on scene when a person experiences a mental health emergency.

“These calls can be some of the most serious a police officer responds to,” says S/Sgt. Stephen Bergerman, acting North District Commander. “Situations involving people in mental health crisis are complex and dynamic. Our officers demonstrate empathy and patience when responding to these calls for service while keeping the best interests of our clients and everyone’s safety in mind. Saskatchewan RCMP officers are committed to connecting a person experiencing a mental health crisis with medical care when required.”

• On May 28, 2023, a detachment in the North District received a report of a missing teenage boy. Officers conducted proactive patrols to search for him for several hours, while nighttime fell.

At about midnight, the detachment received a call of an individual armed with a knife at a location in the detachment area. Officers immediately responded and found the boy, who was distraught and holding a knife. He continued to wave the knife – and asked the officers to kill him.

Officers spoke with the boy, using verbal de-escalation skills. After a short time, the boy agreed to drop the knife. Officers were then able to take the boy into custody under the Mental Health Act and transport him to hospital for medical treatment.

• On May 22, 2023, a detachment in the North District received a report of a teenage boy, who indicated he was planning to harm himself. Officers determined the boy had travelled to a nearby wooded park. They searched the area, which included rugged terrain, extensively. The officers located the boy, who was injured and in need of immediate medical attention. Officers provided initial first aid and carried the boy through thick brush until they were able to safely transfer him to EMS. He was taken to hospital for further treatment.

“These two incidents were volatile – there was an urgent and significant risk to the safety of these youth’s lives,” says S/Sgt. Bergerman. “Our police officers kept their heads clear and were strategic with their actions to ensure two youth were safely connected with emergency health care. We send these boys – and their families – our warmest thoughts as they heal and recover. We share these stories, with identifying features removed, to demonstrate that responding to mental health crises is part of policing, and that our utmost priority is ensuring the safety of all people involved.”

Saskatchewan RCMP uses the Incident Management/ Intervention Model to assess and manage risk; learn more about it here. There are also a number of units and programs that support frontline police officers as they respond to critical mental health calls. These include:

• Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team, which works to resolve critical incidents safely.

• Registered psychiatric nurses in Saskatchewan RCMP’s Operational Communications Centre.

If someone around you is experiencing an acute mental health crisis and is at risk of harming themselves or others, dial 9-1-1.

BUSTER DAYS IS BACK !!

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

One of the most popular events in Martensville is taking place this weekend, and there is sure to be something for everyone! The annual event will have a wide variety of events and activities from Friday, June 9th to Sunday, June 11th, bringing back some of the community favorites including the fireworks display, parade, slo-pitch tournament and more, as well as some new additions.

Last year marked the first Buster Days since 2019 and the record breaking attendance at some of the events proved that the local residents were ready to celebrate their community.

“Buster Days has always been one of my favorite events because it really gives people a chance to celebrate their community and come together to just have fun with their friends and family. You can just feel the sense of community throughout the weekend. The Buster Days Committee works really hard each year to try to ensure we have a good balance of activities for all age groups,” Buster Days organizer Angie Reddekopp said.

At last year’s Buster Days, it marked the first time that the event featured Corgi Races, which had an expectation of 50-75 people attending; however, over 600 people showed up to watch the 35 corgis racing. This event will take place once again on Sunday from 2pm-4pm at the Martensville Curling Rink.

Another new addition is the Club 55 events which were created to provide an opportunity for older adults within the community to take part in Buster Days events as well, with a variety of activities available such as Sign Making, Wood Carving, Line Dancing, and live music.

This is only a small portion of the events taking place throughout the weekend. The full schedule can be viewed below.

All money raised through this event stays within the community, supporting various clubs and organizations in Martensville.

To learn more about this fun-filled event visit ‘Buster Days Martensville’ on Facebook, or go to https://busterdays.com/.

SPORTS

Busy Weekend of Baseball

Maddogs Attend Spring Jamboree

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Kinsmen Melfort Minor Football hosted the annual Spring Jamboree at Melfort Comprehensive Collegiate this past weekend.

Every year the Martensville Maddog football teams are invited to their Jamboree. In the Peewee and Bantam division there were six teams competing with three games for each team.

“It's one day to play teams we normally don't get to play. We look forward to this event every Spring and hope we can continue to receive this invitation to attend,” said Alyshia Hind, Maddogs Football Vice President.

For more information on Maddogs Football, or if you are interested in volunteer coaching for the fall session, contact martensvillemaddogs@gmail.com.

Martensville High School Athletes Compete at Provincial Track & Field Meet

Twenty-one Martensville High School athletes competed at the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association Provincial Track & Field Meet on June 2nd & 3rd at Gordie Howe Track & Field Complex in Saskatoon.

Many top eight finishes, personal bests, and fantastic efforts were made.

Provincial medal winners include; Lukas G. - Silver - Senior Boys Long Jump; Rhyan B. - Silver - Junior Girls Javelin; Kloey R. - Bronze - Junior Girls Hurdles; Rhea T. - Silver - Junior Girls Triple Jump; Kloey R. and Rhea T. Silver - Junior Girls 4 x 100m relay.

Congratulations athletes! We are so proud of you!

ABOVE: Senior Boys Long Jump; Rhyan B. - Silver

ABOVE: The Sask Five 11U A Giants brought home the win at a tournament in Saskatoon this past weekend. (Submitted)

ABOVE: The Sask Five 13U AA Bombers and Crushers co-hosted a tournament at Mocon Field in Martensville, which saw the Crushers (grey jerseys) win the A final. (Submitted)

ABOVE: The Sask Five 11U AAA Giants won their tournament in Swift Current over the weekend. (Submitted)

BELOW: The bantam and Peewee Martensville Maddogs teams were invited to attend the Melfort Minor Football Spring Jamboree over the weekend. (Facebook)

ABOVE: The Sask Five 13U AAA Giants won gold at a tournament in Sherwood Park. (Submitted)

Rhyan B. - Silver - Junior Girls Javelin

ABOVE LEFT: Junior Girls 4x100m relay medalists

Kloey R. - Bronze - Junior Girls Hurdles and 4x100m relay

Rhea T. - Silver - Junior Girls Triple Jump and 4x100 relay

Submitted

You Are Invited to a Taste of Valley Manor Elementary School

The community is invited to the Taste of VMS at Valley Manor Elementary School from 12:00pm12:45pm on Thursday, June 15th and Friday, June 16th. Our Grade 8 students have been working hard on creating their own businesses to sell different products, with a lot of different food options, face painting, balloon toss, and more! Please walk around the school as you join us on our back tarmac (weather dependent-gym if raining) for our final project in Grade 8 Career Education. Bring the entire family for lunch! (cash only)

Alberta Results Mirror Rural Urban Split

Stop me if you heard this one before, but the great divide in this country is between rural and urban. Not exactly surprising news? This is true, but what might be surprising is that this is now a thing everywhere; even in Alberta where the oil sector once unite everyone from northerners in the oilsands around Fort McMurray to the Leduc derricks to the Calgary office towers.

Here is something to think about for a moment: After last week’s Alberta election, Calgary is now an NDP city. The majority of its provincial representatives are now New Democrats; 14 NDP seats compared with 12 for the United Conservative Party.

In Edmonton it was even more dramatic with all 20 seats going NDP. Premier Danielle Smith is contemplating setting up an Edmonton “council” to get feedback on issues in a city where the UPC couldn’t elect a member.

Meanwhile in the rest of “rural” Alberta, it remains solidly Conservative blue with 37 going UPC and only four NDP seats. This is not to suggest that last win by the Premier Smith’s UPC that produced a 48-38-1 win doesn’t firmly restate that Alberta remains a “conservative” province. (One MLA originally running for the UPC will sit as an independent after making inappropriate comments during the campaign.)

While much is being made of the fact that this is the closest Alberta election in history, that seems a much bigger deal to Albertans than the rest of who haven’t, historically, always voted in large conservative landslides. What is, essentially, a 10-seat majority is exceedingly workable and Smith’s government will have no problem getting its bills passed. Moreover, there were a considerable number of close seats after the counting of Alberta, the majority are close NDP seats they stand to lose.

For example, former Alberta health minister and current Justice Minister Tyler Shandro lost in Calgary Acadia by a mere seven votes. Other UPC cabinet ministers included Health Minister Jason Copping in Calgary Varsity, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Nicholas Milliken in Calgary Currie and Immigration and Deputy Premier Kaycee Madu in Edmonton Southwest. You are probably recognizing the pattern.

Alberta is still a conservative and, if anything, last week’s election results was the last best chance for the NDP to ever gain power, but those results in the two largest cities of Calgary and Edmonton; 1.6 million and 1.5 million, respectively; represent a significant difference in the mindset of voters.

“Urban Albertans” had significantly noticed Smith’s missteps that included her notions that those who violated public health orders during COVID-19 deserved special considerations from the Premier’s office or perhaps the justice department.

By contrast, “rural Albertans” who demonstrated significantly more opposition to COVID-19 measures and who seemed more supportive of her idea for a provincial police force to replace the rural RCMP were considerably less worried about her ideas and the kind of government she and the UPC might provide in the next years. Sound familiar?

Since winning power in this province in 2007, the Saskatchewan Party here had united the province under a conservative, especially since 2011 when it reduced the NDP to a dozen seats; however, a recent Insightrix Research poll suggest the popular vote numbers in Regina and Saskatoon pretty much mirror those in Edmonton and Calgary in last week’s election.

In fact, throughout this country we see a repeat of this phenomena in which the larger the centre you live in, the more likely you are to vote something other than conservative.

Of course, this tendency has always existed, but it’s been emphasized of late; perhaps because of the varying impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or people taking their cue from American politics or the urban-centric policies of Justin Trudeau’s Liberals. Whatever the case, it’s now happening everywhere, widening the urban/rural divide, even in Alberta.

Saskatchewan Party MLA Terry Jenson

to Seek Re-Election in 2024

Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson will be seeking reelection for the Saskatchewan Party in the newly created constituency of Warman in the next provincial election to be held in 2024.

He is a longtime resident of Warman and was first elected in October of 2020 after winning a contested nomination over four other candidates the previous year. Saskatchewan Party members will choose their 2024 candidate in an upcoming nomination on a yet-to-be decided date.

“The opportunity to serve the people of the MartensvilleWarman constituency has been an honour and, if nominated again, I’m looking forward to representing the Saskatchewan Party in the newly formed Warman constituency in the next general election,” Jenson said.

In addition to working to represent constituents and elevating their concerns to various ministries for solutions, Jenson said his first term in the government led by Premier Scott Moe has been gratifying.

“Over the last 32 months I’ve very much enjoyed helping my constituents with ministerial casework, discussing policy concerns, and being their voice around the caucus table and in the Legislative Assembly,” Jenson explained. “I’ve been able to forge excellent working relationships with my cabinet and caucus colleagues alike and have several projects that I’d like to help get across the finish line as MLA.”

Since being elected in 2020, Jenson has a track record of success in the existing Martensville-Warman constituency with some key highway safety improvements completed, the announcement just over a year ago of an additional 54 subsidized daycare spaces in Warman, the completion and recent opening of a regional ambulance base in Martensville, and the commencement of construction on the new recreation facility in Martensville.

“There’s more work to be done to address health care in Warman and our region,” Jenson added, noting that three nurse practitioners are expected to begin work in the coming weeks in Warman with another three planned for later this year in Martensville to expand patient capacity in the two centres.

“We know that the city itself – and the constituency of Warman and surrounding region will continue to grow at rates above the provincial average, so I’ve been working with the health minister and his officials on a plan that would see construction of a health care facility in Warman. The discussions are still preliminary at this stage, but there is an obvious need for a Saskatchewan Health Authority operated facility in our city. As the current MLA, and if re-elected, I bring the experience and the positive relationships in government that will play a role in the advancement of this project from proposal to completion.”

Since being sworn into office in November 2020, Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson has served in several Legislative roles including; Member of the Standing Committee for Crowns and Central Agencies, Member of the Standing Committee for the Economy, Member of the Standing Committee for Human Services, Member of the Caucus Management Committee, Member of the Premier’s Commendation Awards committee, and Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Social Services. Current Responsibilities: Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Immigration and Career Training, Chair of the Standing Committee for Human Services, Provincial government representative on the Wanuskewin Heritage Park board of directors.

Letter to the Editor

Community Comes Together for Tree Planting in Kinsmen Park

Shanine

Sealey, Martensvillle Messenger

For Zak’s Building Group, community is a top priority, which was shown first-hand on Friday, June 2nd as they came together with the City of Martensville and local schools to plant 140 trees within Kinsmen Park.

Each year, Zak’s donates 25% of the profits from lumber sales to tree planting in communities that are within their trading area. This year marked the third year the company has done this, with the first year seeing a tree planting take place at the Warman Dog Park and the following year multiple parks within Hague were donned with new greenery.

“The environment and community are both important to us at Zak’s, so this is a perfect way to give back in both areas. We realize that we are in the business of selling trees, so we think it is important to put back into that. We also live and thrive in these communities, so we want to support the people that support us,” Wyatt Zacharias, CRO of Zak’s Building Group, stated.

Zak’s worked closely with Martensville City Council and City Administration to choose the perfect location to plant the variety of trees and Kinsmen Park was chosen as the ideal location. The trees were planted on the east side of the park along the walking trails.

Students from Valley Manor School and Venture Heights School were on hand to help plant the trees, which they did following a demonstration from City of Martensville Manager of Parks and Facilities Donald Crowe, who reminded them to plant “green side up”.

“We think it is important to educate the next generation on these important initiatives and about giving back to the environment,” Zacharias added.

Zak’s also unveiled their new reforestation logo, which was designed by Martensville High School student Clara Akister, who won the logo contest, along with a $1000 prize for having the chosen design.

ABOVE: Members of Zak’s Building Group and the City of Martensville, along with students from Valley Manor and Venture Heights worked together to plant 140 trees in Kinsmen Park on Friday, June 2nd.

LEFT: Wyatt Zacharias of Zak’s Building Group.

BELOW LEFT: Clara Akister of MHS won a contest to design a reforestation logo for Zak’s Building Group.

ABOVE: The reforestation logo designed by MHS student Clara Akister.