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MOOSE JAW’S HOMEGROWN NEWSPAPER
Tourism Moose Jaw’s pub crawl going green for Rider Nation Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Tourism Moose Jaw is giving its annual pub crawl a new twist this year with a Rider-themed night out set for Friday, Sept. 19.
In support of the city’s historic trolley tours, and with an announcement aligned with the traditional Labour Day Classic weekend, the popular fundraiser will see guests don their best green and white Rider gear and celebrate Saskatchewan’s CFL team with food, drinks, and football at local pubs and lounges. The event runs from 5 p.m. until 11:30 p.m., with trolley transportation included in the $25 ticket price.
“We wanted to put a totally different spin on it this year and change (up the pub crawl) to target different interests that people have,” said Lynette Biech, trolley supervisor with Tourism Moose Jaw. “This time, we’re going to call on the sports fans — but of course, everybody is welcome, (including) anybody who loves the Roughriders, which isn’t too hard to find in this province.”
She said the dress code will match the team’s game-day colours.
“We’re looking for Rider Nation to come out this year, and we’ve put a green and white spin on our pub crawl. Folks (are invited to) come out and dress up in green and white and enjoy an evening celebrating our football team in this province.”
Guests will be transported between participating pubs and restaurants on the trolley, where each stop will feature its own in-house specials and promotions. The event’s structure will resemble previous pub crawls organized by Tourism Moose Jaw.
“(The trolley will) go around to different lounges and bars in the city, and they’ll have drink specials and food specials. We’ve got swag bags for folks who attend, and yeah, it’s just going to be a fun evening,” Biech explained. These specials will only be available for pub crawl ticket holders, she noted.
Tourism Moose Jaw is also plan-
ning trivia games on board the trolley, with returning prizes for best outfits and awards for trivia winners.
Biech noted that only 130 tickets will be sold for the event, a number that reflects both trolley capacity and the ability of venues to accommodate groups. Past pub crawls have consistently sold out.
“In the past, we’ve almost always sold out our pub crawls. They sell extremely well, so the sooner that folks get their tickets, the better,” she advised. “Tickets will go quickly.”
While the pub crawl is designed to bring locals together, Biech said the green-and-white theme may also appeal to visitors from Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, and beyond.
“It’s a big thing in our province, so if people want to come from Saskatoon for the weekend, that’s great. We’re hoping to get some Regina folks up and maybe get a chance to see what some of the pubs and restaurants in Moose Jaw have to offer,” she said.
Tickets went on sale Aug. 27 and can be purchased by phone with a credit card or directly at the Tourism Moose Jaw kiosk at 450 Diefenbaker Drive.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call Tourism Moose Jaw at 306693-8097.
Victim services official thrilled with new child-friendly centre in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw’s victim services co-ordinator is thrilled with a new venue that will better support abused children and youths by providing them with enhanced trauma-informed services.
During a news conference at the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) headquarters on Aug. 26, representatives with the provincial and federal governments announced the opening of the Little Oak Child and Youth Justice Centre and the expansion of the victim services responder program.
Ottawa is contributing $470,000 over two years toward the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), while the province is providing $223,344, of which $132,717 is dedicated to the centre and $90,627 supports the hiring of two extra internet child exploitation (ICE) officers.
The province announced this funding in April.
The new venue will provide a comfortable and safe environment for children and youths under age 18 who have been victims of abuse, while it will help them and their families navigate the various systems they encounter with support from a multi-disciplinary team.
During a tour of the centre, Terri
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Roney, the victim services co-ordinator for the MJPS and Moose Jaw RCMP, said the CYAC will meet children where they are, with officers trained in child forensic interviews speaking with the victims. Furthermore, staff with victim services and social services will be available to offer support depending on the case.
“I think it’s honestly a great improvement … for Moose Jaw,” she said. “Unfortunately, these files do happen, and so it’s important that we have the resources in our community to do this.”
Continuing, she said that if Moose Jaw can do as well in helping children and families as other CYACs in Regina and Saskatoon, then everyone in the area will benefit.
The venue opened recently and staff have already conducted several interviews with children and youths.
Previously, an officer would still interview a child with support from victim services and social services, but those conversations would happen in the
police station, Roney said. Sometimes those officers would be in uniform, while the interviews would occur in a “soft room” used for adults.
“It worked (and) they did a great job. But as we move forward and learn more about trauma-informed practices, this is just the right avenue to go,” she stated. “And it’s exciting for our community.”
Roney has been the victim services co-ordinator for more than four years, while Sven, her six-year-old black Labrador retriever, has been the accredited facilities dog since December 2022. She noted that such animals play an important role in supporting abused or traumatized children, youths or adults, with officers able to request Sven’s presence for interviews.
Furthermore, the dog can be present in court as a testimonial aid for victims. Therefore, children may see Sven several times as they go through the legal process, which is positive since he helps build relationships while making them
feel safe.
Professionally, Roney said she is excited to have officers work in the CYAC, while she is also excited for the children since the venue is a calm, soothing setting.
“There is a lot of thought that went into this space, so I think anything that we can do better in a more trauma-informed practice is a positive, so I’m really happy about that … ,” she added. “I think it’s a really good space.”
During the news conference, the Hon. Buckley Belanger, MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River in Saskatchewan and secretary of state for rural development, said every child deserves to feel safe, supported and heard. This is important since “child abuse is heartbreaking” and lasts a lifetime.
He noted that the CYAC model helps roughly 20,000 children, youths and families in Canada annually. Also, over the past decade, federal funding of more than $50 million has supported 45 CYAC venues across the country.
“I have no doubt that Little Oak will become a place of safety (and) … healing for countless children and families in Saskatchewan in the years ahead,” Belanger added.
The Hon. Buckley Belanger, MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River in Saskatchewan and secretary of state for rural development (left), speaks about the centre, while MLA Tim McLeod (right), listens. Photo by Jason G. Antonio
Terri Roney, the victim services co-ordinator, gives a tour of the new child and youth advocacy centre. Photo by Jason G. Antonio A room where officers or staff from victim services and social services can interview a child. Photo by Jason G. Antonio
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Willow Lodge receives $10K from SaskGaming to support shelter operations
Willow Lodge received a $10,000 boost from the Saskatchewan Gaming Authority (SaskGaming) on behalf of the provincial government this month, directly supporting individuals in the shelter’s care.
The cheque was presented Aug. 26 at the 15-bed facility, which is operated by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan. Open for a year and a half, Willow Lodge has run near capacity while offering low-barrier support to people experiencing homelessness.
John Fraser, CEO of the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, said the funds will fill important gaps not covered under the organization’s provincial operating contract.
“We’re just really honoured — receiving this money will go a long way. (Casino Moose Jaw) plays an important role in the city … it’s nice to see them giving back to the community,” Fraser said.
“We’ve just been overwhelmed by so much community support,” he continued. “You know, it’s a difficult situation. Homelessness is difficult for the people experiencing it, and also the people around it who … live in a city that didn’t used to have much homelessness … but constantly, we’re reminded of the heart of Moose Jaw and all the people that care ….”
He emphasized that the donation would go directly toward the needs of shelter clients.
“We’re funded by the province to operate the shelter, but there are some needs outside the contract that we need,” he said. “This will go a long way to help cover some of those gaps.”
Crystal Peterson, manager of housing with the John Howard Society and manager of Willow Lodge,
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said she already has a few plans for the added funding.
“We’re in desperate need for a second set of bedding, so I’m excited to be able to buy that second set. We have a very limited food budget, so I’m hoping to bring in some more hearty options too, because the guests who come are always looking for calories,” she said of the coed facility. Peterson also listed a few fans for some additional comfort and air purifiers as immediate candidates.
“We opened up a year and a half ago with 15 beds, and we’ve been running at 80 per cent capacity throughout the whole time that we’ve been open,” she
added. “We’re very low barrier — we let everybody in. Lots of people are struggling with mental illness, and we see lots of people with addiction — it’s just a safe space for them to be, because walking on the streets isn’t safe for them. This gives them a fresh start to their next day.”
Fraser added that he sees Willow Lodge as a successful model for how shelters can function in Saskatchewan, crediting both staff and the community for its support.
He elaborated, stating that the discreet location for Willow Lodge helps reduce stigma, while the shelter’s smaller scale allows staff to know clients on a first-name basis and maintain accountability. Just as important, he said, Willow Lodge works closely with partners — including the John Howard Society — to help move people into supportive housing and other next steps, preventing the shelter from becoming permanently over capacity.
Peterson echoed the importance of this community involvement.
“I want to give a shout-out to SaskGaming. It’s pretty cool for them to see the need and the good work that our team at Willow Lodge is doing,” she said. “I always want to thank the community — without the community’s support, we’re nothing … we see so many people coming out, donating their time, goods, and just getting to know our guests’ names and giving them that sense of belonging. It’s pretty cool.”
To learn more, visit JohnHoward.ca. Willow Lodge is located at 83 Ominica Street West.
Raymond James Ltd. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc., regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
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SaskGaming president and CEO Blaine Pilatzke (third from left) joins Willow Lodge manager Crystal Peterson (fourth from left) and John Howard Society CEO John Fraser (right) as a $10,000 cheque is presented to support the Moose Jaw shelter on Aug. 26. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Editor’s Note
JOAN RITCHIEMoose Jaw Express EDITOR
Anytime of the day or season is a time to discuss food and recipes. Food has always been something that most cooks like to talk about – new recipes and how to make them. Especially me…I am always on the hunt for something new to make.
After years of trying to create something delicious and appealing for a family, old family favourites are hard to beat. But on the other hand, talk to someone like one of our sons who has travelled to over 75 countries in the world and is certainly a foodie by all measures, it’s hard to measure up.
But I assure you, there is no way
better to get to a man’s heart than thru his stomach.
I can read and I like to create new and interesting dishes that not only look delicious but are lip-smacking good, so give me a magazine, a food network show or a recipe book that I can peruse to come up with something that might tantalize your tastebuds.
I think about the old-time favourites that aren’t costly to make, but that are comfort food that can melt the palate of the gastric elites with a little modification.
I think it has a lot to do with a person’s feel-good remembrances as they were growing up. Of course, I was raised in a home where the Ukrainian culture abounded within the confines of my dad’s lineage. Need I say more! The Ukrainians have always been very innovative and know how to create something special and make a delicious meal with champagne taste but on a
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
beer budget…just some flour and eggs, and some potatoes and throw in a little cheese, whatever it may be…cottage or cheddar. Voila…perogies that even the king would pay a decent dollar for. Add a little fried onion in butter and sour cream and you have a meal where you are smacking your eyebrows because it’s so delicious. And the dough wrapped up in beet leaves, covered in cream sauce made with butter and onions; we’re getting fatter just talking about it.
You know, it’s not too hard to stretch one’s dollars to meet household budget needs and make food that is healthy and good.
My mom was a cook for a road construction when I way young. She certainly wasn’t a fancy cook but she made good food. If a person knows that you need a protein, a starch, and some vegetables, you can come up with a meal that will be eye-catching and taste good.
My mind wanders to the days when I was young when my grandmother made Kasha, a baked buckwheat dish topped with fried onions and butter; certainly inexpensive but filling. We utilized what the garden offered seasonally and devoured it. I don’t recall too many negative comments about the wild game we were blessed with. We had a freezer full and a mother who knew how to cook it.
Therefore after all the years of eating good food, that is still my plight today, trying to fit between my arms…lol. All I think is that families need to take the time to think about their food preferences, plan ahead to create a meal that is delicious, healthy and nutritious and enjoy it. Maybe let your past influences influence your hear-and-now so that you can create something that your kids will remember and reinvent one day for their kids.
CBC’s reporting of health centre caused harm, court claim alleges
A Moose Jaw health provider is alleging in a court document that he has suffered financial losses, reputational harm and a damaged social standing because of “negligent” reporting by the CBC.
Dr. Dayan Goodenowe, whose corporation, Lakeview Regional Wellness Centre Inc., operates the Restorative Health Centre in Moose Jaw, announced in mid-August that he was filing a defamation lawsuit against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and reporter Geoff Leo over an article the news outlet ran about the provider’s services.
Goodenowe’s statement of claim lays out the timeline of his interactions with Leo before the article’s publication, the publication of the article, the uploading of a related 17-minute video, and another article by Leo with comments from the Opposition NDP and ALS Society of Saskatchewan.
Goodenowe and Lakeview Regional Wellness Centre are referred to as the plaintiffs in the statement of claim.
The claim notes that Goodenowe’s legal counsel emailed the executive director of ALS Saskatchewan, demanding an immediate retraction and clarification
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of “defamatory statements” the director made to CBC. However, the latter has not retracted or clarified the comments.
Furthermore, the health provider’s lawyers emailed CBC and the media ombudsman demanding that the national broadcaster conduct an immediate editorial review of the first article, the court document said. This request was made in accordance with CBC’s journalist standards and practices, which require fairness, balance, and accuracy in reporting news.
“The plaintiffs requested that the immediate editorial review address editorial balance, contextual fairness and provide prompt clarifications,” the statement of claim said.
Another email from Goodenowe’s lawyers outlined how Leo’s article contained “several highly inflammatory and factually misleading statements,” the document noted. Examples included that Goodenowe is “misleading” vulnerable ALS patients, is selling “false hope” for profit, “exploits the trust” of terminal patients and that the Restorate Health Centre operates “without oversight.”
Goodenowe’s lawyers also asked CBC to let the health provider pro-
vide an op-ed to rebut the article, but the broadcaster refused the request, the claim noted.
Defamation
The statement of claim alleged that the articles CBC published and that were republished on third-party platforms like Reddit and other media outlets have harmed the plaintiffs’ reputations, “causing them to be viewed negatively by the community and potential clientele.”
Continuing, the document stated that the statements Leo and CBC alleged against the plaintiffs were “without merit” and “blatantly false,” despite the plaintiffs taking “great measures” to market themselves and their services appropriately. This includes providing self-directed programs where individuals tailor the program to their needs using information and research from the plaintiffs.
The statement of claim also notes that the Restorative Health Centre operates with oversight and is compliant with the proper governing legislation.
“Mr. Leo was negligent in not verifying the information as being accurate … (or having) editorial balance,” the claim said. “Rather, (the article) selects
(snippets) of quotes while omitting descriptive and substantiating commentary that provides colour to the quotes, thereby misleading readers of the article or listeners of the videos and podcasts.”
The claim noted that the plaintiffs “have suffered, continue to suffer, and will continue to suffer reputational harm, direct financial loss and damage to their social standing” due to the defendants’ articles and investigative journalism.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs have suffered financial loss, including financial lenders refusing to provide credit and clients withdrawing from the program, the court document continued. Also, financial losses are ongoing, while the plaintiffs would provide a list of losses at a trial.
The claim added that the remedies the plaintiffs want from the defendants include general damages in an amount proven at trial, the immediate removal and deletion of the articles, the prohibition of Leo or CBC publishing any further articles, pre-judgment interest, costs on a solicitor-client basis and other relief the court may allow.
It is not yet known whether CBC has filed a statement of defence.
Donation leaves Moose Jaw food bank up to its eyeballs in potatoes
The Moose Jaw and District Food Bank was up to its eyeballs in potatoes recently, after receiving a massive donation from a Saskatoon-based organization that redirects surplus food to non-profits across Canada.
Second Harvest — the largest foodrescue organization in Canada — donated 14 pallets of potatoes weighing 13,500 kilograms (30,000 pounds) to the food bank on July 31, filling the warehouse with enough spuds to potentially make six million grams of French fries.
According to Second Harvest’s website, last year, it rescued and redistributed 87.1 million pounds of food worth $363 million from 7,500 food donors. That food provided 245,000 daily meals — or 89.4 million in total — for 6.5 million people through over 5,000 non-profit partners.
Also, this food rescue prevented 59.3 billion litres of water from going to waste. The donation “was fantastic” and was greatly appreciated, even though staff and volunteers never realized what
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
160-kilometre radius — by phone and through social media — that would be willing to take the produce.
“And we had a lot of people come (and) get. It was good, but I knew I couldn’t get rid of them all,” Stringer said, noting she encouraged people to make French fries and offered recipes to turn the spuds into other delicious dishes.
After the businesses and non-profits took what they wanted, the food bank still had nine pallets of potatoes left, so Stringer began reaching out across the country to see if other food banks wanted to take some. Mark LeBlanc from Winnipeg responded and said he would take some.
sands of spuds.
Good-humouredly, Stringer said, “I’ll be looking at a French fry differently now. It’s a lot of potatoes, but I’m glad that they’re able to help someone else.”
Continuing, the warehouse supervisor said she was thrilled that she could ship out the potatoes before they went bad. This is important to her since her role also focuses on reducing food waste as much as possible.
Photo by Jason G. Antonio
13,500 kilograms of spuds would look like, Echo Stringer, the food bank’s warehouse supervisor, said on Aug. 28.
After receiving the delivery, staff and volunteers began breaking down the pallets and filling dozens of milk crates with the starchy, tuberous vegetables. Furthermore, Stringer reached out to as many community businesses and groups as she could think of within a
“The rest is history. He sent a truck and we sent away nine pallets,” laughed Stringer. “So the Manitoba food banks will either be happy to see the nine pallets (or they’ll be overwhelmed too). So I was happy to see them go.”
She noted that she was thrilled when LeBlanc contacted her because it took a weight off her shoulders, while she had fewer dreams — nightmares? — about how she was going to distribute the thou-
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Another reason Stringer wanted to reduce the number of potatoes the food bank had is that the Better Together Food Drive occurs on Friday, Oct. 31, with the organization typically receiving dozens of pallets of food.
The food bank still has many potatoes available, so interested residents can come grab some — by the handful, crate or pallet — and staff will help load the vegetables into a vehicle or truck.
The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is located at 270 Fairford Street West. For more information, visit MJFoodBank.org, email EndHunger@MJFoodBank.org, or call 306-692-2911.
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The food bank received 14 pallets of potatoes as a donation from Second Harvest in Saskatoon. The organization now has a few pallets left, with the potatoes in crates.
Golfers will tee off at Hillcrest Golf Club on Saturday, Sept. 6, for the inaugural Fore the Athletes Golf Classic. The tournament begins with reg-
Fore the Athletes Golf Classic set for Sept. 6
istration at 9 a.m. and a shotgun start at 10:30 a.m., followed by 18 holes of golf, prizes, and a post-round meal. Entry is $150 and includes a cart rental, meal, and prize opportunities. Hole sponsorships are available for $250.
Proceeds will be shared between Thunder Creek Volleyball Club and the Moose Jaw Mustangs Lacrosse Club, supporting female athletes through reduced fees, new equipment, and expanded training camps. The Moose
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Jaw Mustangs club is also preparing to launch its first-ever girls’ field lacrosse team this fall.
Field lacrosse continues to grow across the province with Moose Jaw positioning itself at the forefront, thanks to the Moose Jaw Mustangs Lacrosse team.
Homestand ’25 returns to Ross Wells Ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 6, marking the fifth anniversary of Moose Jaw’s largest outdoor music fundraiser.
This year’s lineup features children’s entertainer Fred Penner, Saskatoon favourites The Steadies, frontier-
Homestand 2025 hits the stage Sept. 6
rock trio Elliott Brood, classic rock icons Streetheart, and Canadian supergroup Toque headlining. Gates open in the afternoon with music continuing into the evening.
Organized by River Street Promotions, the volunteer-led concert raises
The Hillcrest Golf Club is located at 1599 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-693-1921. The team can be reached at Information@MooseJawMustangsLacrosse.ca.
For further details on the Mustangs, see Page A27 of the Wednesday, July 30, 2025, edition of the Moose Jaw Express.
Registration is available through the event’s Facebook page, “Fore the Athletes Golf Classic (Thunder Creek Volleyball Club and Mustang Lacrosse),” and through the Hillcrest Golf Club, with spaces expected to fill quickly.
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funds for local youth mental health initiatives in both school divisions and upgrades at Ross Wells Park.
Tickets are on sale now through the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture box office, 217 Main Street North. Children under 12 are free with an adult
ticket.
For further information, see earlier coverage on Page A17 of the Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and on the cover of the Wednesday, July 23, 2025, editions of the Moose Jaw Express
Tourism Moose Jaw introduces family-friendly ‘Happy Haunts’ trolley tour
Families will soon have a new way to enjoy Moose Jaw’s trolley experience, with Tourism Moose Jaw launching its first child-focused ghost tour this September.
The new ride, “Happy Haunts,” is designed for younger audiences and offers lighthearted stories rather than the spookier tales featured on the city’s true crime and other evening tours. It’s set to run Friday evenings at 6 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 5.
“We have a lot of families who want to bring their kids on the evening tours, and sometimes they run a little later, so we thought we would introduce this one — it’s a little earlier in the evening,” said Lynette Biech, trolley supervisor with Tourism Moose Jaw.
Each ride lasts about 30 to 35 minutes and features a selection of six or seven stories based around the attention span of a three- or four-year-old guest. Rather than featuring specific stops, the trolley will wind through different streets in the city, sharing short tales along the way in a continuous run.
“(The new tour is) also extremely child friendly, and we’ve geared it for
All aboard for a frightfully fun ride! Tourism Moose Jaw’s new ‘Happy Haunts’ trolley tour rolls out Friday evenings at 6 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3:30 p.m., offering ghostly tales with a family-friendly twist. Photo by: Tourism Moose Jaw
ages four to about 12. Of course, it’s open to anybody,” Biech said. “They’re not spooky ghost stories — they’re a little bit on the lighter side and happier. I think it’ll be something that kids will enjoy.
“There’s a story about a cat, there’s a story about a friendly ghost, and there’s a story about the train yard,” she contin-
ued. “So it’s all … different things that might interest children.”
Biech said the idea came from wanting to make trolley tours more accessible to visitors of all ages.
“I’m always looking for something new to put out and give people new opportunities and new things to see,” she explained. “A lot of our … evening
tours are geared a lot to adults, like our true crime tour (which is) adults only. I thought this would be a great way to target the younger audience.”
Beyond appealing to children, the idea was also timed to coincide with the lead-up to Halloween.
“We’re bringing it out this time of year, of course, as the Halloween season is coming up. We’re hoping it will provide another option for folks … (and) maybe something extra for them to do with their little ones,” Biech added.
Like other ghost tours, Happy Haunts will blend local storytelling with the unique experience of riding Moose Jaw’s historic trolley. The difference, Biech emphasized, is that children will leave with grins instead of goosebumps.
“It’s just a way for them to come out, hear some fun stories, and enjoy their evening,” she said.
Tickets are available now and can be booked online at TourismMooseJaw.com by clicking on the “Tours” section or in person at Tourism Moose Jaw’s kiosk, located at 450 Diefenbaker Drive. Tourism Moose Jaw can be reached at 306693-8097.
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New trolley tour highlights Moose Jaw’s streetcar legacy
Around this time in 1911, Moose Jaw celebrated the launch of its first trolley service — and more than a century later, Tourism Moose Jaw’s new trolley tours are keeping that spirit alive along the same streets once traversed by electric cars.
The Moose Jaw Electric Railway Company (MJER) held an opening ceremony on Aug. 19 that year, with Mrs. J.M. Paul, wife of Mayor Paul, pulling the powerhouse lever to send the first car — Car 104 — rolling out of its one-storey barn at the corner of Fourth Avenue and High Street West.
Regular service began Sept. 4, 1911, with a delay caused by paving and other infrastructure work, and for the next two decades, streetcars became a defining part of life in the growing Prairie city.
The idea of a street railway in a city of about 12,000 people may seem ambitious by today’s standards, but in 1909 Moose Jaw was brimming with optimism. Young businessmen including lawyer James T. Cashman and banker E.M. Saunders believed the city was destined for explosive growth. At one point, a billboard in Winnipeg even boasted Moose Jaw would reach 135,000 residents. Convinced the community needed modern infrastructure to match
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its promise, they set out to make the street railway a reality. Cashman’s connections in Ottawa made the dream possible. There he met consulting engineer J.B. McRae and A. Hector Dion, son of the general superintendent of the Ottawa Electric Railway Company. Dion would later become Moose Jaw’s first street railway superintendent, while McRae and several other investors — including Dr. Peter B. Melon, barrister E.J. Daly, and broker C.E. McCuaig — secured a 20year franchise from city council in March 1910. With capital in place and visions of a growing city, MJER was born.
By June 1911, crews had laid nearly eight miles (about 12.9 kilometres) of track, with plans for more. At its height, the system stretched about 11.5 miles (about 18.5 kilometres) with 21 passenger cars, one work plow and one snowplow, including double-track laid along Main, High, and Manitoba streets.
The original fleet was built by the Ottawa Car Company, with yellow streetcars banded in red and green. Each carried a pair of 40-horsepower Westinghouse mo-
ported.
That same year, YMCA staffer E.J. Chegwin made headlines after walking into a trolley pole while chasing a departing car. “Being stunned he dropped in the road and it was a minute or two before he recovered his senses,” the Evening Times wrote.
tors and charged a nickel fare in a pay-as-you-enter system. A crude-oil diesel powerhouse supplied direct current and was considered the first installation of its kind in Canada.
Ridership was heavy from the start. On Dec. 31, 1912, the MJER year-end report claimed receipts of $77,996 (approximately $2.1 million in today’s dollars) and 1,607,770 passengers carried.
Like many early railways, the company built an entertainment park, Kingsway Park, to attract riders during evenings and weekends. In 1916, the Jitney Dance Hall opened at the park — a landmark still preserved today as part of Connor Park, named after George Tupper Connor, MJER’s final general manager.
The streetcars left their mark on the city. On opening day, a short circuit briefly disrupted the city’s fire alarm wires. “As the streetcar came to the corner of Fairford and Main, the trolley pushed the high voltage streetcar wires against the city wires and put the fire alarm boxes throughout the city out of business. This momentary contact of the wires resulted in some dazzling fireworks at the switchboard in the firehall,” the Moose Jaw Evening Times re-
By the late 1920s, however, the automobile was reshaping urban travel. MJER added three new motor bus routes in February 1928, and the last streetcar ran on Oct. 8, 1932. Connor carried on transit service privately through the Moose Jaw Transportation Company until 1957, when the City of Moose Jaw launched its own Moose Jaw Transit system.
When the final streetcar was parked, census records from 1931 put Moose Jaw’s population at 21,299 — far short of the earlier optimism shared among planners.
Despite its impact on the
city, none of the original streetcars has been preserved, with the last car, Car 106, temporarily displayed at Kingsway Park before its removal.
Tourism Moose Jaw’s new tour arrives in time for this anniversary, offering residents and visitors a chance to relive the city’s streetcar past. Though the rails are long gone, the tradition of sharing Moose Jaw’s history continues more than 110 years after the first trolley left the barn.
The first Moose Jaw streetcar makes its run on Aug. 19, 1911, launching more than two decades of service. Photo by: Moose Jaw Public Library Archives
Crews lay track on Main Street looking north in 1911, part of the ambitious project that would open later that summer. Photo by: Saskatchewan Archives, photo R-A170
A Moose Jaw Electric Railway car passes under a ceremonial arch on Main Street in 1919. Automobiles already crowded the street — more than 56,000 were registered in Saskatchewan that year, foreshadowing the decline of streetcars. Photo by: Collection of the late Lorne Unwin
From The Kitchen
By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
Gardens nearing an end; enjoy seasonal produce
Gardens of the summer are waning but fresh fruits and vegetables are still available under the watchful eyes of the gardener or produce managers.
Rumour has it that peaches are juicy and sweet. And home-grown or farmers’ market carrots are crisp and plentiful.
This week’s recipes offer ideas for making use of peaches and carrots.
•
CARAMEL
1 cup flour
PEACH PUDDING
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup white or brown sugar
2 cups chopped, fresh peaches
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup milk
Sauce:
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 cup boiling water
Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and white or brown sugar. Add peaches and
milk. Mix carefully but thoroughly. Spread dough in a greased 8x10 inch baking pan.
To make the sauce, mix together brown sugar, butter and boiling water until butter melts. Pour sugar/butter mixture over dough.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-50 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream. Serves 6.
PEACH CRUMB PIE
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup butter
2 cups sliced peaches
one unbaked 9 inch pie shell
Combine sugar, cinnamon, flour, salt and pecans. Add butter and mix until crumbly.
Place half the mixture in the pie shell. Cover with the peaches and top with remaining crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes.
May be eaten warm or chilled. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. Slices into 6-8 servings.
Farmland prices driven high by investors – claim
A claim about the forces driving up land prices emanating from a major accounting firm has stirred a debate.
Yves Millette, CEO of Farm Business Consultants with 20,000 farm customers, said investors in farmland are driving up prices and making it difficult for young farmers to get a toe hold in the sector.
Certainly farmland has been an excellent investment, outperforming the Toronto Stock Exchange. The price of Saskatchewan farmland has doubled in the last 15 years.
High prices make buying land by young farmers unaffordable and threaten the viability of rural life, says Millette.
He estimated between nine and 15
CARROT PUDDING
1 cup grated raw carrots
1 cup peeled and grated raw potatoes
1 cup suet, chopped
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup raisins, washed, rinsed and dried
1 cup currants, washed and rinsed
In a large bowl combine carrots, potatoes, suet and brown sugar. Add remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into well-greased 1 lb. containers. Steam for three hours. Remove from containers and set aside to become cold. Freeze immediately.
To cook frozen pudding, steam for 1 1/2 hours. Serve with a rum sauce or ice cream. Makes 12-14 servings.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
OPINION EDITORIAL:
TRADING THOUGHTS
By Ron WalterFor Moose Jaw Express
per cent of land is owned by investors.
Farm Credit Canada’s 2024 land values report notes Saskatchewan farm land increased in value by 13.1 per cent in 2024 — highest move of any province.
Land investor Robert Andjelic, who owns 250,000 acres, with a goal of acquiring one million acres, denies this claim.
Andjelic referred to an older study finding only two per cent of farm land was owned by investors. What Andjelic didn’t understand, or ignored, is the tight farmland market on the Prairies and in Saskatchewan.
The supply is so limited that buyers have little choice but to meet the higher
prices, or lose the deal.
Demand is driven by farmers willing to pay unviable prices just to add parcels to their land empire. The land will never pay for itself but the existing empire will subsidize land payments.
Adding a few investors to this tight market drives prices even higher.
And buyers with large land holdings, or just investing, can afford to pay unrealistic prices.
That puts the young farmer starting out at a major disadvantage.
Good farmland prices currently range around $4,000 an acre.
Besides needing a hefty downpayment on land, new farmers will have to pay $200 an acre interest at these prices.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
Saskatchewan farm land average return in 2022 amounted to a range from $152 an acre to $400 an acre.
Obviously paying $200 an acre interest on the loan and fuel fertilizer and chemical costs make it impossible for a young farmer to break even.
Given that he or she will need at least $5 million in used equipment starting out is a non-starter.
Some farm programs exist to help the young farmers but the business remains risky. Operators face a lifetime debt partnership with financial institutions.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
1650 Stadacona St. W. Moose Jaw 306-693-4334
Hwy #1 North Service Rd. Emerald Park 306-359-1964
521 South Railway St W. Warman 306-934-3880
Sask. Polytech rolls out $2M project to reintegrate female veterans in Ukraine
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is launching a $2-million, five-year initiative to support the reintegration of female veterans in Ukraine, funded by Global Affairs Canada.
The project, dubbed the Women Veteran Reintegration in Ukraine Project (WVRUP), will provide employment programs, entrepreneurship training, and psychosocial support to female veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
The announcement came during the 34th anniversary celebrations of Ukrainian independence. WVRUP will be delivered in collaboration with Ukraine’s Women’s Information Consultative Center, the Ministry of Veteran Affairs, and the State Economic Service.
“We are honoured to support the Government of Ukraine in empowering the lives of their women veterans during this pivotal time,” said Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO of Sask Polytech.
The number of women serving in Ukraine’s armed forces has increased fifteen-fold over the past decade, now
Aaron
Walker - Moose Jaw Express
surpassing 70,000. Many face considerable hurdles in resuming civilian life, such as reduced income, scant job opportunities, and barriers to starting businesses.
WVRUP will focus on regions with high concentrations of veteran populations, including Kyiv, Dnipro, and Vinnytsia. It aims to reach 30,000 women veterans, benefit 6,000 family members, engage more than 60 master trainers, and roll out six new or improved training programs in high-demand sectors by 2028.
Sask Polytech will oversee instructor training, educational materials, trainer handbooks, and assessment tools centred on skills and entrepreneurship. Ukrainian trainers will be equipped to deliver services and advocate for gender-sensitive reforms. The polytechnic will also assist in formulating policies that promote advocacy and dialogue for female military veterans.
“Sask Polytech has worked in Ukraine since 2016 and this project
builds on a foundation of meaningful partnerships and mutual learning,” said Angela Wojcichowsky, director of international projects at Sask Polytech. “We believe in the resilience of Ukraine’s women veterans and their potential to lead in rebuilding their communities.”
Back at home, Ukrainian immigrants have been an integral part of Saskatchewan’s history since first arriving in the late 1800s. They helped establish farms, schools, and churches across the province and represent one of its largest ethnic communities. By 1921, more than 28,000 Ukrainians were living in
the province, and today about 12.57 per cent of Saskatchewan residents trace their heritage back to Ukraine.
Sask Polytech brings over 30 years of international education experience, including system-level reform projects in countries such as Ukraine, Jordan, and Vietnam, and local-level efforts in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Colombia, Yemen, Slovakia, and the Kyrgyz Republic.
To learn more about the institution’s international development projects, visit SaskPolytech.ca.
By Joyce Walter - for Moose Jaw Express
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
What I did over the summer holidays: Part One Reflective Moments
In school classrooms this week, elementary students will likely be asked to write that traditional essay on the topic: “what I did on my summer holiday.”
I’ve always wondered what the teacher would say to the student who simply wrote “nothing” on the blank piece of paper.
The adult in us is a snoopy critter and so when we see acquaintances during this time of year we ask “what did you do this summer?” or possibly “did you have much company this summer?”
No one suggests an essay be written but there’s always time volunteered to listen to the answers of the questions –answers that sometimes are longer than any essay.
In our household, because of some tricky health issues, we didn’t have plans for any long trips even though we remembered fondly our lengthy voyages to Ontario, the Maritimes, Newfoundland, North West Territories and Yukon.
Our first long day trip this summer was to Creelman where we attended the “Biggest Little Fair in Saskatchewan.” We had read about the fair in a well-read
magazine and immediately marked off the date in July.
We got into town just in time to park and find a spot to watch the parade. While others sat in their lawn chairs, we plunked ourselves in the seats of our walkers and immediately felt welcome. Strangers talked to us and were impressed that we had come all the way from Moose Jaw to attend the fair. I explained our long-standing involvement in fairs and exhibitions and that seemed to explain why we had driven so far this day.
The parade was an excellent start to the fair with more than 59 entries keeping us entertained for an hour. If I had any advice to offer it would be that candy not be thrown from the parade participants. If that had been the rule I would have escaped the hard candy that hit me on the head thanks to the inaccurate aim of a participant. After being assured I wasn’t bleeding and likely didn’t have a long-term injury, we all stood around laughing at me being the first injury of the day. I do not know if there were others.
Then off to the fair grounds we went, paid our admission and were directed to a parking spot in a field. Our mouths dropped open in shock and amazement to see the horse and cattle rings, tents for refreshments, food vendors, and in the arena, a trade show and household arts displays of immense size.
I learned that the fair attracted: 93 exhibitors showing off 789 exhibits; 24 craft and trade show vendors; 33 riders in equestrian events; 11 cattle show exhibitors; and 200 children registered in the games area. A few days later the fair committee announced attendance at more than 1,300 — pretty amazing for a community of around 103 residents.
In keeping with a community theme, lunch that day was a cold plate of ham, salads, baked beans, homemade buns and large slices of homemade pie. Supper was to have been roast beef sponsored by the 4-H but our elderly legs gave out before then and we headed home, also before hearing the entertainment in the refreshment garden.
The next weekend found us in Riverhurst for the annual Bean Festival.
There we saw a trade show, 4-H gymkhana, mutton busting, a large show and shine car show, several food vendors and a full afternoon of musical entertainment in the refreshment venue. And Housemate had his hearing tested. I didn’t want to take a spot from someone else in line so I stepped aside and acted like a really kind soul. There’s nothing wrong with my selective hearing.
A friendly organizer explained the purpose of the large pieces of equipment on display and provided some history of the festival to educate about beans in Saskatchewan.
I escaped any head injury in Riverhurst but those darn gophers made walking with a cane a definite challenge. I came home with two packages of cinnamon twists and a decent sunburn. I escaped being bitten by a large dog tethered in front of our parking spot. He/she must have realized I was harmless.
To be continued next week.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net
New hearing dates set for matter involving former MJPS officer
A three-day hearing into the alleged actions of a former Moose Jaw Police Service officer, which was supposed to start at the end of August, has been cancelled.
The Saskatchewan Police Commission was to hear the matter between Supt. Taylor Mickleborough and the chief of police for the MJPS from Wednesday, Aug. 27 to Friday, Aug. 29. However, without explanation, the commission cancelled that event.
This is the second time the commission has cancelled a hearing into this matter, as there was to have been a three-day hearing from July 23 to 25. However, it cancelled those dates without explanation.
Instead, the hearing dates — all new — are Oct. 7 to 10, Oct. 20 to 21, and Jan. 5 to 7, 2026; the commission has
Jason G. Antoni - MooseJawToday.com
not yet set a location.
The MooseJawToday.com learned last October that former police chief Rick Bourassa had suspended Mickleborough around August or September 2024, before outright firing the 24-year member in about September.
Mickleborough is known to have begun his policing career in 2000. He had worked in traffic enforcement, criminal investigations and the serious crimes unit and won several awards during his nearly three decades in uniform.
The police service confirmed to MooseJawToday.com in early October that Mickleborough was no longer a member of the force but declined to offer any extra details about the firing, nor what sections of the Saskatchewan Police Act he may have violated.
During a meeting of the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners in early October, Bourassa — who resigned in January 2025 because of health issues — confirmed that he fired Mickleborough using Section 60 of The Police Act as his guide. He pointed out that that section gives criteria to chiefs on how and when they can dismiss members.
Also, the former chief said Section 61 of the act gives dismissed members the ability to appeal to the Saskatchewan Police Commission, which would then hold a public hearing on the matter.
Bourassa said at the time that he wanted to respect the legal process and noted that saying anything else or litigating or trying those matters outside of those hearings “would be wildly inappropriate.”
In early February, Jay Watson, the hearing officer for the Saskatchewan Police Commission, Adam Touet, the defence lawyer for Mickleborough, and Mitch Holash, the legal counsel for the acting police chief (Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners), met by phone to discuss the situation.
They later met by phone in late February to exchange information so they could start determining how long the hearing might take. They also held other phone meetings in the following weeks, but those were held in private.
According to the City of Moose Jaw’s 2024 public accounts, Mickleborough was one of the highest-paid police officers in the city last year, earning $151,192.76.
‘Over the Bridge: Summerfest’ makes debut on South Hill
Organizers are calling the inaugural “Over the Bridge: Summerfest” event a success, with strong performances, positive community feedback, and a commitment to return with an even bigger event next year.
The outdoor music festival took over the Urban Cellars parking lot on Aug. 23, featuring three live acts, local food vendors, and a beer garden sponsored by District Brewing, all in support of Running Wild Rescue.
“It was fantastic … (and) we had great turnout,” said Stacie Loch, marketing and promotions lead for the event.
The night opened with Moose Jaw’s own Ray Rawlyk, followed by Brandon & Company, and headliner Amy Nelson of Regina.
“Ray Rawlyk opened up the night. He’s a Moose Jaw legend, has very good music, and he kept everyone entertained for an hour and a half — just one man (kept the show going),” Loch said. “Brandon & Company came on afterwards and played three amazing sets. They’re just a really good, high-energy band, and they’re from Moose Jaw.”
Regina’s Amy Nelson closed the night. “She has amazing vocals, and her band is just really tight,” Loch said. “Her guitarist is an incredible musician, and we all really enjoyed Amy’s vibe.”
Running Wild Rescue, a dog and cat rescue group, partnered with the festival and ran the canteen with the help of volunteers. While final fundraising totals are still being tallied, Loch confirmed that a portion of proceeds will support the organization.
“It was certainly (a decent fund-
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
looking ahead, with plans for smaller indoor shows to maintain momentum and
“We are going to be doing some Summerfest concert series throughout the winter at Chillers Pub, so people can stay tuned for that information,” Loch revealed. “We’re thinking about … a little more community involvement for Urban Cellars — that’s what the goal is.”
Loch said she hopes Summerfest will grow into a South Hill tradition, bringing more attention across the bridge in years to come.
Urban Cellars Moose Jaw and Chillers Pub are located at 510 Home Street West. Urban Cellars can be reached at 306-694-5112 and Chillers Pub can be
raiser)” for Running Wild Rescue, she confirmed. “We are planning to partner with them in the future as well.”
Loch said further details about the fall barbecue fundraiser in partnership with the local non-profit will be avail able in the coming weeks.
While the inaugural festival only drew about 150 attendees, Loch said the experience has provided a strong foun dation for future events and served as a proof of concept.
“Everyone who came through the gates had a really great time,” she said. “Next year, we’ll try to double or triple the crowd size, but it was a good firsttime event.”
She noted that all feedback re ceived so far has been positive.
“It’s all positive so far … I haven’t heard one negative comment, other than maybe some suggestions for improve ments for next year. But overall, everyone just loved it.”
The Summerfest team is already
Volunteers with Running Wild Rescue handle the concession during Summerfest on Aug. 23, with proceeds supporting
local non-profit. Photo by: Urban Cellars Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw’s Ray Rawlyk opens the festival with a 90-minute solo performance.
Photo by: Urban Cellars Moose Jaw
Mulberry Giants’ beanbag baseball trophy back in Regina — for now
The beanbags have landed and the scores are in: Atria Mulberry Estates’ beanbag baseball team, the Mulberry Giants, wrapped up their 2025 season with a spirited match in Regina to determine who holds the cup over the winter.
The Giants played their final game of the season on Aug. 27, against their longtime opponents from Queen Victoria Estates in Regina. While Moose Jaw’s team brought plenty of positive energy, it was the Regina squad that walked away victorious with a 15-9 win.
“We lost our trophy,” said Tricia Oblander, community
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
sales director at Atria Mulberry Estates.
Despite the loss, Oblander said the mood remains upbeat among players and fans at the residence.
“They’re good — it’s really more for fun than anything. If you can get the trophy, that’s even better. But it was really a fun time,” she said.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The seasonal rivalry between the two Atria-affiliated retirement communities has become a highlight for residents on both sides of the provincial capital corridor. This summer, the Mulberry Giants had held the trophy for a few months after finally reclaiming it earlier in the season with a 22-8 win — proudly displaying it on the dining room mantel.
Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Village of Caronport intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw No 5/93, known as the Zoning Bylaw.
INTENT
The proposed amendment to the Zoning Bylaw is intended to allow for solar panels in the Village of Caronport.
PUBLIC INSPECTION
Any person may inspect the bylaw at the municipal o ce between 1:00pm - 4:00pm Monday and 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday to Friday excluding statutory holidays.
PUBLIC HEARING
Council will hold a public hearing on the 18th day of September, 2025 at 7:30p.m. in Council Chambers located at 201 Valleyview Drive in the Village of Caronport, Saskatchewan to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaws. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing or delivered to the undersigned at the municipal o ce prior to 3:00 p.m. on 17th day of September 2025.
Issued at the Village of Caronport this 27th day of August, 2025. Ashley Chase, CAO
That earlier win was a big one for the Giants, who had struggled to reclaim the title in previous years.
“We actually haven’t won the trophy for a few (seasons) now, so we finally got that trophy back,” said engage life coordinator Sydney Azure in an earlier interview.
The finale was hosted in Regina this year — a fact not lost on Mulberry staff.
“They (Queen Victoria Estates) had home turf (advantage) — maybe that’s it,” Oblander said with a smile.
The friendly season typically includes two or three
matches each year, alternating between the two locations to keep the game balanced. While the 2026 schedule has not been confirmed yet, teams expect to return to the beanbag diamond next spring or early summer.
In the meantime, residents aren’t hanging up their beanbags just yet.
“They do a lot of practicing; I’ll tell you that. They play throughout the year, and we have our own separate competitions here. The staff … plays against the residents as well,” Oblander said. “We actually have a game coming up in September.”
Win or lose, the team’s spirit lives on.
“It’s not about the score;
it’s really about going out, having fun, and getting to be social with other people,” she added.
Atria Mulberry Estates resident Mel Bradford summed it up best during a televised interview on Aug. 27. “It’s not all about winning. It’s all about hanging out with the gang … We’re having fun, we’re just like kids — we’re just old kids,” he said.
Next season, when the beanbags hit the board again, don’t count the Giants out — they’ll be aiming for a comeback.
Atria Mulberry Estates is located at 220 Mulberry Lane and can be reached at 306-6945020.
Harvest still behind normal, southwest leads
Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
Delayed by storms, rain and humidity, the Saskatchewan harvest has taken off about half as much crop as in long-term averages.
Working with shorter hours and dew farmers had harvested 12 only per cent of the crop by Aug.25, according to the crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.
The southwest led with 23 per cent in the bin — 14 per cent in the Assiniboia Gravelbourg region, 20 per cent in the Moose Jaw Central Butte region.
Fourteen per cent was off in the southeast, 11 per cent in the east central and west central
regions with only two per cent in the northeast and northwest.
Provincially 40 per cent of peas and 35 per cent of lentils were done with some chickpeas. Barley and durum wheat were 17 and 23 per cent done
Harvest was just starting on spring wheat and oats. Fifty-nine per cent of peas and 40 per cent of lentils were off in the southwest.
Winter wheat and fall rye grades are lower than usual.
Moisture levels in crop land and pastures has fallen a bit but is adequate for the most part.
The Mulberry Giants pose for a team photo with the travelling trophy ahead of their final beanbag baseball match of the season in Regina on Aug. 27. The team fell to Queen Victoria Estates in the friendly showdown but their spirits remain high. Photo by: Atria Mulberry Estates
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPT 8
Coun. Dawn Luhning is concerned about two recent road repair projects after contractors left the worksites in a messy state, while she wants to see more oversight of future initiatives.
During city council’s Aug. 25 meeting, Luhning said contractors paved Ninth Avenue Northwest from Thatcher Drive to Highway 1. However, quality control was lacking since the workers left “quite the mess of tar” that motorists dragged onto Thatcher Drive and into West Park.
She then asked how often that happens, where the quality control is, and whether anyone cleaned up the excess asphalt.
Bevan Harlton, director of operations, said the department’s operations manager noticed additional asphalt on the westbound lane of Thatcher Drive and informed the contractor that it needed to clean up that material.
At its own expense, the contractor swept that street to see if the hot asphalt would come off, but very little did, he continued. So the contractor is now
More quality control needed with road repairs, Luhning says
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
looking at other options for scraping the remaining material.
With quality control and project management, the city has a “very good construction management team” that handles infrastructure renewal and road renewal well, added Harlton. Moreover, it receives daily construction reports, materials testing updates and equipment check reports.
A second question Luhning had focused on 13th Avenue Northwest, which the city just repaved. A resident pointed out to her that the city ripped up the corners of sidewalks and left behind pylons. She wondered why the city ripped up sidewalks after paving streets instead of before.
Harlton explained that the drainage on that street is down the centre, so the manholes act as catch basins to shed water. Moreover, all the roads in that area that connect to 13th Avenue Northwest have centre drainage as well.
The city can either leave the storm infrastructure in place to collect water in the middle of the road or shift all the
pipes to the sides and collect water from the gutters, which is the typical process, he said.
The operations department decided to mill the existing road — remove a layer — and lower the catch basins so the drainage continued to occur down the centre, Harlton said. That action cost $200,000, whereas it would cost $2 million to fully rebuild the road and address the stormwater and sewer infrastructure.
The operations director pointed out that his department’s budget for paved roads this year is roughly $3 million, so it would have used most of that to completely change the drainage system on 13th Avenue Northwest.
Meanwhile, while milling and paving the road, contractor Cypress Paving found that there was a low spot on that street, so after the first lift of asphalt, it returned and cut out a patch near a corner, Harlton added. The contractor paid for this expense since the work was still under warranty.
Luhning’s final concern was about the eastbound and westbound traffic
lights at the intersection of Main Street and Athabasca Street. She alleged that the green lights last for roughly five seconds before quickly changing to yellow and red, which means only a few motorists make it through.
She then wondered if city hall could change that.
Harlton replied that his department would review that concern.
Meanwhile, Coun. Heather Eby said that because of the construction on South Hill, she took a new route home and drove on the 100 block of Grandview Street Southwest. She noted that there is a guardrail on that street because of slumping issues, but shrubs have grown wildly around it.
She then wondered whether it was the city’s responsibility to trim that hedge.
Derek Blais, director of community services, said he was unaware of that location, but would follow up with staff about maintaining it since it was on city property.
Gov’t agencies gave over $420K in grants to Moose Jaw in Q2
City hall received over $420,000 in grants during this year’s second quarter, with that money going to support initiatives at venues like the Kinsmen Sportsplex and the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery.
The department of strategic growth provided an update during city council’s Aug. 25 executive committee meeting about all the applications it submitted between April and June to various governmental organizations and the grants it successfully received.
The report showed that the city received $423,140 in total grants, including:
• $100,000 from SaskPower’s Commercial Energy Optimization Program for pool mechanical system upgrades at the Kinsmen Sportsplex
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
• $100,000 from SaskPower’s Commercial Energy Optimization Program for upgrades at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery, including a cooling system and a new boiler
• $100,000.00 from SaskPower’s Commercial Energy Optimization Program for mechanical upgrades at the city complex
• $70,000 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) climate-ready plans fund for a climate risk assessment study
• $38,1400 from the FCM’s municipal fleet fund for a zero-emission transit study
• $10,000 from Tree Canada for trees at the Rosedale Cemetery
• $5,000 from SaskCulture for the National Day for the Truth and Rec-
onciliation celebration in September Staff in the department also submitted three grant applications during the quarter, including:
• $11,726,173 to the Canada Housing and Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) for Spring Creek stormwater management system upgrades
• $75,000 to the Saskatchewan government’s Targeted Sector Support Initiative for an accessibility study, in partnership with the City of Swift Current
• $50,000 to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice for a community safety and well-being study, in partnership with Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce “It is currently unknown when a decision will be made regarding the out-
come of these pending applications,” the report said.
The report noted that the $300,000 from SaskPower has enabled the city to create a replacement reserve fund that will generate future savings for the community services department.
Furthermore, the $38,120 from FCM for the zero-emission transit study will negate the need to use municipal funds, which is something that concerned council during a discussion it had about the study in May, the report said.
During that meeting, council approved using $18,120 from the solar initiatives fund, $10,000 from transportation’s consulting services fund and $10,000 from transportation’s legal support fund as a contingency if FCM did not provide the grant.
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPT 8
City hall says nearly a dozen capital projects are in jeopardy of not being completed this year because of scheduling issues, with initiatives ranging from a new cricket pitch to replacing the outdoor pool.
City administration presented a second-quarter report about the municipality’s finances during the Aug. 25 regular city council meeting. Included in the document was a status update of all the capital projects the city is pursuing.
While the schedules of most projects were either on track or faced potential risk, there were 11 with completion schedules in jeopardy, the report said.
The city plans to build a cricket field for $50,000 and has worked with the Saskatchewan Cricket Association to finalize the work and field specifications, while it installed a concrete pitch in July.
Meanwhile, installing fencing to protect the nearby skate park may happen in September, but landscaping won’t happen this year because of high construction costs, which means the field will become operational in 2026,
A dozen capital projects in jeopardy of not finishing this year, report shows
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
the report added.
The city plans to renovate Memorial Field, with $117,289 remaining in the budget. However, tariffs have affected procuring supplies for the renovations, while city hall expects to face higher-than-budgeted construction costs, which means the project won’t be completed this year.
Rosedale Cemetery’s crematorium building needs a complete roof replacement, with $122,701 remaining in the budget, but full restoration will occur in 2026 due to an unexpected issue that arose this year, the report said.
The crematorium faced a roof failure in the first quarter, an engineer offered advice in Q2 and the city completed asbestos abatement in June and structural repairs in July, the document continued. City hall planned to restore the metal roofing after the structural repairs were finished, but a review by the engineer and roof consultant found design flaws with the existing system.
Instead, the city will pursue a new roof system to improve its performance and minimize leaks, the report added. City hall expects construction to be
completed in Q3.
Meanwhile, the city has put on hold the outdoor pool replacement project because the initiative requires additional funding that the municipality does not have.
The city plans to spend $50,252 to enhance accessibility at Ross Wells Ballpark and upgrade the venue’s washrooms, but probably not this year.
City hall is responsible for amenities at the Westheath park near the new joint school and has $634,931 left in the budget. However, procuring equipment has been delayed by tariffs, while bid submissions were double the budgeted amount. Therefore, the city will delay installing the park building and hockey rink until 2026.
The report noted that the building requires design simplifications, while the rink will undergo a design review to find project-related savings.
The city plans to renew the waterslide at the Kinsmen Sportsplex pool and has $22,772 left in the budget. However, the report noted that bid submissions were higher than anticipated, so replacing the bolts will happen next
year. Meanwhile, the city completed basic repairs in May after a section of the waterslide failed.
Temple Gardens Centre wants to install steel rigging to help attract bigger concerts and more acts and has a budget of $461,801. However, more money is required before the venue can proceed with this project.
The city wants to clean up one of its properties through environmental remediation for $60,375, and has removed fuel tanks from the site, the report said. However, further testing has revealed that more remediation is required and additional funding is needed, so this project will be completed next year.
Lastly, city hall wants to pursue mechanical and building upgrades to the city complex on High Street West, while it also wants to make office renovations there. However, because of increased costs, it will only install a boiler and make a larger office space. The remaining mechanical upgrades will happen in 2026.
Parking revenue down nearly $34K in Q2 due to thieves
stealing metered heads
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
Parking meter revenues were down nearly $34,000 in the second quarter compared to last year, likely because thieves have vandalized or stolen one-third of parking meter heads in the city.
City administration presented a report during the Aug. 25 regular city council meeting about every department’s second-quarter activities. Included in the document was information about the amount of revenue the municipality has collected from parking.
The data showed that the city generated $117,956.66 in parking revenues between April and June, including $96,017.86 from coins and $21,938.80 from the Hot Spot app. In comparison, in Q2 2024, those numbers were, respec-
tively, $151,727.51, $130,952.45 and $20,775.09.
Therefore, city hall received $33,770.85 less in revenue from parking meters year over year.
Meanwhile, year-to-date, the city has collected $241,492.54 in revenue compared to $295,679.24 last year, a decline of $54,186.70 or roughly 18 per cent.
The report noted that as of June 30, there were 292 unusable parking meters throughout Moose Jaw, which accounted for roughly 31.5 per cent of all metered heads. The reason for this decline is that people had “vandalized, damaged or stolen” the infrastructure.
Coun. Heather Eby pointed out this
issue during the meeting, saying “we all know what is happening” — vandalism — but for some reason, the city as the organization … is getting the bad rap because people are vandalizing (the infrastructure),” she said, noting the municipality is doing its best to figure out a solution, and until then, there will be plenty of free parking downtown.
Streets and roads
The report noted that during Q2, the city used 445.21 tonnes of asphalt for repairs, made 29 excavation repairs, used 51 tonnes of recycled asphalt, repaired 1,583 potholes, repaired four dips, repaired 25 manholes and repaired or replaced 135 regulatory signs.
In comparison, in Q2 2024, the city
used 484.7 tonnes of asphalt for repairs, made 36 excavation repairs, did not use any recycled asphalt because the machine hadn’t arrived, repaired 1,045 potholes, repaired one dip and repaired two manholes, while information about sign replacement was unavailable.
Furthermore, in Q2 2025, the city painted 45 crosswalks and 7,669 metres of lane lines, while it graded 49,610 metres of gravel roads and 9,215 metres of back lanes.
In comparison, in Q2 2024, the city painted 12 crosswalks and 6,393 metres of lane lines, while it graded 6,786 metres of gravel roads and 3,856 metres of back lanes.
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE
NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPT 8
Taxpayers owed more than $4 million in total tax arrears at the end of the second quarter, which was nearly 20-per-cent more than Q2 2024, although more people participated in payment plans.
City administration presented the second-quarter financial report during the Aug. 25 regular city council meeting, which included data about tax arrears, outstanding debt and how much each property class owed.
Council voted unanimously to receive and file the report.
Property tax arrears
As of June 30, taxpayers owed $4,219,755 in total arrears, which included $4,138,510 in property tax liens and $81,245 in arrears payment plans, the report said.
Conversely, by June 30, 2024, those numbers were, respectively, $3,380,725, $3,324,951 and $55,774.
Therefore, the total outstanding amount of tax arrears increased by $839,030 — a jump of roughly 19.88 per cent — from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025. This comprised a year-over-year increase in
Tax arrears jumped by 20% year-over-year in Q2, report shows
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
liens of $813,559 and an increase in payment plans of $25,471.
Meanwhile, by June 30, 2023, taxpayers owed $2,529,801 in total arrears, including $1,688,722 in property tax liens and $841,079 in payment plans.
Property taxes receivable
Property taxes receivable consists of tax arrears and taxes owing. Tax arrears are overdue taxes, while current taxes are due but have not fallen into arrears. Taxes fall into arrears in the next year following the levy of taxes.
The total outstanding property taxes receivable by June 30 was $23,198,339, which was comprised of all outstanding arrears.
In comparison, total property taxes receivable that were outstanding by the end of Q2 2024 were $20,574,055, followed by minus-$24,643,532 in 2023, $16,534,844 in 2022, $30,172,095 in 2021 and $27,432,046 in 2020.
Arrears by property class
At the end of 2024, the five main property classes owed $2,013,771.08 in outstanding arrears, followed by
$1,029,482.78 in 2023 and $1,095,256.43 in 2022, the report said. This means those classes owed $4,138,510.29 during the last three years, while including payment plans of $81,245.13 increased the total to $4,219,755.42.
Compared to commercial/industrial, residential comprised roughly 45 per cent of outstanding arrears by property class in Q2 2025, the report said.
Tenders
City hall issued 15 tenders worth $3,849,390.07 for several projects during the second quarter, including for a new roadway grader, Yara Centre turf replacement, rubber tire excavator, trucks, new playground equipment at the Knights of Columbus Park, interior ren-
ovations at city hall, concrete work and repairs to the Cultural Centre basement.
Borrowing/debt
As of June 30, city hall was still repaying on six projects after borrowing money to finance them.
The principal outstanding amount on each project was:
• Multiplex long-term loan: $9,916,000
• Waterworks capital long-term loan: $18,626,000
• High-service pumphouse: $6,534,000
• Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation (BPWTC) loan term loan (Bank of Montreal): $9,177,480
• Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation loan term loan (TD Bank): $13,515,836.10
• Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation loan term loan (Royal Bank of Canada): $14,018,716.16
These projects totalled $71,788,032.26, a decrease of $1,145,336.95 from the end of the first quarter. Meanwhile, the City of Moose Jaw’s debt limit is $95 million.
Contractor to provide eight officials for building inspections in Moose Jaw
City hall has signed a three-year agreement with Professional Building Inspections Inc. (PBI) to provide as-needed project plan reviews and inspection services to ensure continuity when municipal building officials are absent.
Since 1999, the city has contracted plan review and building inspection services from private service providers to supplement its in-house resources, a city council report said. This year, city hall issued a request for proposals for the continued provision of these services and awarded a contract to PBI.
Under the new agreement, PBI will supply qualified and licensed building officials across all classification levels to supplement the municipality’s own officials, the report continued. Building
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officials are required because the provincial Construction Codes Act says every local authority must appoint such people to administer and enforce the Act within the municipality.
Therefore, council’s approval is required to formally appoint individuals whom PBI has designated to perform these duties for the city.
City hall budgets $10,000 annually for as-needed plan reviews and inspection services to help supplement its inhouse officials, so it will fund this contract through the operating budget, the report said. This amount will not require an additional mill rate increase “at this time.”
During the Aug. 25 regular meeting, council voted unanimously to appoint —
as PBI recommended — Bobby Baker, Virginia Shepley, Joshua Nitz, Cristin Korchinski, David Kindred, John Dulle, Charles Fiss and Chantel Terry as building officials for the city as per the Construction Codes Act.
Furthermore, these appointments will be effective for as long as PBI endorses these people as building officials and for the duration of the company’s contract with the municipality.
The classification of each person includes class 3 for Baker, Shepley and Nitz; restricted class 2 for Korchinski; and class 1 for Kindred, Dulle, Fiss and Terry.
The report noted that the agreement gives the city access to licensed officials across all classes and enables it to main-
tain service levels during staff absences or peak workloads and address specialized and complex projects that require higher-class officials.
Moreover, the contract ensures timely plan reviews for compliance with the Act and the city’s building bylaw and allows PBI to conduct on-site inspections, prepare permit documents, consult with designers/builders and represent the city at appeal board hearings.
Most of the city’s inspection requests are for residential projects, which the municipality’s class 1 building officials can handle, the report added. However, class 2 and 3 officials must handle commercial, industrial and multi-unit residential projects.
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPT 8
The Temple Gardens Centre experienced a second-quarter deficit of nearly $216,000, which was $238,000 less than expected, primarily due to higherthan-budgeted food and beverage revenues.
From Jan. 1 to June 30, the former Events Centre had actual revenues of $5,087,650 and actual expenses of $5,228,259, for an operating deficit of $140,609, an Aug. 25 city council report said.
However, after including the management fee of $76,730 and the WHL Warriors’ building rentals revenue of $1,900, the net operating loss was $215,439.
In comparison, building manager
Temple Gardens Centre had deficit of nearly $216K in Q2, data show
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
Oak View Group (OVG) had budgeted $5,145,741 in revenues and $5,526,015 in expenses for the quarter, leaving an expected operating loss of $380,274, the report said. Including the management fee of $78,362 would have led to an overall operating loss of $458,636.
Therefore, the differences between the actual and budgeted revenues, expenses and net income were -$58,091, $297,755 and $238,033.
Of note, there was $563,650 less in event revenue than expected, $47,403 less in advertising and sponsorship revenue, $3,201 less in revenue from suite and club leases, $10,675 less in revenue from ice rink rentals and $12,736 less in revenue from curling.
However, there was $239,002 more in food and beverage revenue, $64,377 more in revenue for naming and pouring rights, $46,529 more revenue in regional ticketing and $175,666 more in revenue from “other,” the report continued.
Meanwhile, there was $24,078 more in insurance expenses, $141,645 more in repairs and maintenance expenses and $4,200 more in advertising and marketing expenses.
The Q2 numbers were based on 115 events over 120 days that attracted 131,947 people.
City administration presented the second-quarter financial report during the Aug. 25 regular city council meet-
ing. Financial information about the Temple Gardens Centre/Multiplex was included in the document.
Council later unanimously voted to receive and file the report.
Food and beverage sales
From Jan. 1 to June 30, OVG generated $1,260,360 in total catering and concession sales, while the total cost of goods was $418,476, leaving gross profits of $841,884.
After removing total payroll and departmental expenses, the net profit was $542,899.
These numbers were based on 115 events over 120 days that attracted 131,947 people.
Council approves motion to enhance SAMA’s public relations efforts
Coun. Chris Warren says the city should do more to inform residents about how their property assessments work and believes strengthening the agreement with the contractor could enhance those efforts.
During city council’s Aug. 25 regular meeting, Warren introduced a motion directing city administration to create an operational guideline for the finance department that formalized two expectations under the renewed assessment services agreement with the Saskatchewan Management Assessment Agency (SAMA).
Those expectations included:
• That SAMA provide a formal public presentation to council by Nov. 30 of each year, including an overview
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of assessment changes and trends; a summary of the cap rate model changes, including comparative tables; identifying legislative changes that affect assessments; summarizing appeals and outcomes of appeals; and the legal fees the agency incurred or is forecasted to incur
• That SAMA deliver, at a minimum, one public open house annually to provide residents with access to assessment information and support, and, one educational session annually to enhance council’s understanding of assessment practices and changes
“(SAMA) possesses the expertise and professionalism to provide a standardized and province-wide approach
to property assessments, which helps to ensure consistency, reliability and fairness,” Warren said.
“My motion does not change the agreement. On the contrary, it builds upon it,” he continued. “It is intended to strengthen how the city implements the agreement.”
The motion enhances public engagement, improves communications and ensures transparency with how the city delivers assessment services, he said. Property assessments affect every resident and business, while past experiences have led to confusion and frustration. So, more education is required to inform people about how their assessments work and why they change.
Warren pointed out that the new agreement already includes clauses for educational sessions and open houses, but only if the city asks for them. So, his motion ensures that administration makes those requests proactively and consistently, while it helps SAMA showcase its expertise to help build public trust and understanding.
“This motion does not contradict nor challenge the work of administration or SAMA. Instead, it supports their efforts by clarifying expectations and strengthening accountability,” he said,
adding that the motion should also help build public confidence in the long term.
Coun. Dawn Luhning — who sits on the SAMA board — said the assessment agency used to meet with council every year to inform it about what was happening with assessments and its partnership with the finance department. Continuing, Luhning said that ever since becoming a councillor, she has asked the city manager to co-ordinate the meetings for council. This is because she also agrees that education is required to give people a better understanding of how assessments work and how complicated they are.
Luhning noted that all elected officials should work hard to understand property assessments since it’s a difficult topic. Meanwhile, she was OK with the motion but was concerned about “hog-tying” SAMA if it failed to follow through on the stipulations in the motion. Yet, she had “every confidence” that the agency would keep its word.
Luhning added that she didn’t see the motion being “onerous” on the organization or its ability to host public open houses.
Council then voted unanimously to approve Warren’s motion.
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPT 8
When Godwin Ezizor was campaigning to become a city councillor during the 2024 municipal election, one concern he heard repeatedly from voters was about their property assessments.
Furthermore, during the candidates’ debates, he heard people discuss how the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) assessed their properties, how their assessments made no sense and that their resulting tax increases were “crushing” them.
Ezizor was still hearing those concerns more than 10 months after the municipal election, so to make them more public, he presented them to city council during its Aug. 25 regular meeting.
Ezizor expressed concern about trust and transparency, saying if SAMA has full control of the assessment process in Moose Jaw, then what type of independent check-and-balance exists to protect taxpayers.
“Who is watching the assessor, if not council, and on behalf of the people?” he said.
Furthermore, he pointed out that Coun. Chris Warren planned to propose a simple and “common sense” motion — it came later in the meeting — to force SAMA to offer council and the public annual presentations, open houses and education sessions at least once a year. This would ensure taxpayers were not “left in the dark.”
“I sure hope that council will embrace these simple (and)
reasonable measures that cost nothing, but build trust, transparency and accountability,”
Ezizor said. “If council rejects these oversight tools, are we not saying to Moose Jaw businesses and families, ‘Don’t ask questions, just take what you’re given’?”
Continuing, the former municipal and federal election candidate pointed out that there was a “troubling clause” in the new contract with SAMA. Specifically, he noted that the clause states that after the agreement ends, for a period of two years, the City of Moose Jaw cannot use the property data that it has “always owned” and that belongs to the municipality.
“Why should council agree to handcuff the people’s own data? Who benefits from such a clause: the ratepayer or the provider?” Ezizor said.
“In my opinion, this clause effectively and essentially traps us with SAMA, not by choice but by contract,” he continued. “It strips us of freedom, weakens our negotiating hand and puts taxpayers at risk.”
Ezizor then asked council why it allowed that provision to be added when it “undermines (the city’s) sovereignty” over its own information.
Meanwhile, Ezizor asked why taxpayers — via city hall — were forced to budget $60,000 annually in legal fees to help SAMA defend against taxpayers’ assessment appeals. Instead, he thought stronger governance could reduce the need for legal fees.
‘Who is watching the assessor?’ Resident raises concerns about SAMA
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
Continuing, he said that businesswoman Kristy Van Slyck, who spoke to council on July 28 about the proposed contract with SAMA, pointed out how the only “recourse for fairness” for taxpayers was the appeal system. However, it is “stacked” against residents, is costly to pursue and is emotionally and physically exhausting for appellants since they normally lose.
“If other cities are exploring governance checks to cut down on costly appeals, why is Moose Jaw not doing the same?” he asked.
Ezizor pointed out that since elected officials must not influence property assessments, it is more urgent and essential than ever for independent third-party auditing and public reporting to be implemented to protect the ratepayer from SAMA’s errors and imbalances.
“Isn’t it true that accountability — not blind trust — is what would strengthen SAMA’s credibility in the eyes of Moose Jaw citizens?” he said.
Meanwhile, Ezizor said that small businesses are dealing with the effects of inflation. So, he wondered how council could justify to them that the municipality did not plan to address their concerns about market capitalization rates, valuation formulas and appeals “in plain language.” Moreover, he thought council had a “moral responsibility” to ensure all taxpayers understood how the city calculated their tax bill.
Ezizor pointed out that the
CORRECTION: Re: Aug 27 article about the Legion’s Grand Opening
Inaccurate information appeared in the Aug. 27 article regarding the Legion’s grand opening. There is no need for anyone to register to attend the event. Our apologies for the error.
provincial government is reviewing The Assessment Management Act and will approve a new version this fall. He wondered if council would also show leadership by demonstrating enhanced transparency and oversight, or whether it would let Moose Jaw fall behind as
other cities moved toward a modernized governance structure.
“The people of Moose Jaw are watching. Transparency is not a threat — it is the foundation of trust,” he added. “And trust is the foundation of leadership.”
PUBLIC NOTICE - BYLAW NO. 5743, STREET CLOSURE BYLAW, 2025(4)
City of Moose Jaw hereby gives notice, pursuant to The Cities Act, that Council will consider proposed Bylaw No. 5743, Street Closure Bylaw, 2025(4) and report at its regular meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, 4:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 228 Main Street N, Moose Jaw.
The proposed bylaw is to close all of Blk/Par S1, Plan 102430549 Ext 0 and St/L 96, Plan Old96 Ext 97 to facilitate the subdivision and consolidation of multiple existing street parcels into one contiguous parcel.
Please note that River Street will remain open and accessible to the public.
A map and copy of the proposed Bylaw may be found under the “City News” section at www.moosejaw.ca, or on the 3rd Floor, City Hall between August 25, 2025 to September 8, 2025. Inquiries, written comments or requests to address Council must be received by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025 in person at City Hall, by email at planning@moosejaw.ca, or by phone, 306-694-4443.
Dated at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan this 25th day of August 2025.
Tracy Wittke, City
Clerk
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPT 8
A revision of project priorities and increased construction costs mean city hall will spend almost $300,000 more than budgeted to build extra office space at the city complex on High Street West.
During its Aug. 25 regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve the transfer of $280,000 from the city complex mechanical and building upgrades project to the
city complex office renovations project.
The city had planned to spend $383,975 on the upgrades project and $212,417 on the renovations project, a council report said. However, the transfer of $280,000 from one to the other means the budget for the former will now be $103,975, while the budget for the latter will be $492,417.
“This transfer will enable
FOR SALE BY TENDER- TAX TITLE PROPERTY
The Village of Chamberlain is o ering for sale by public tender the following land due to tax arrears.
Legal Description: Lots 6, 7 & 8, Block 4, Plan AI182 Civic Address: 100, 102 & 104 Vincent Avenue, Chamberlain, SK
The property is sold under the following conditions:
1. The property is sold as is, where is – without warranty. The village is not fully aware of the conditions of the property.
2. The village does not provide a survey or reference plan for any parcel of land subject to tax sale.
3. The onus is on the tenderer to conduct his/her own inspection of the property. The village makes no representations as to the quality of the land and/or buildings being sold.
4. The purchaser is responsible for fees of Transfer Title.
5. Once the successful bidder has been noti ed, they will have 21 days to present the full purchase price.
6. The Village of Chamberlain reserves the right to reject any or all o ers. Tenders must be received in a sealed envelope clearly marked TAX TITLE TENDER. For more information call the Village of Chamberlain, Monday to Thursday from 8 am – 12 pm & 1 pm to 4 p.m. 306-488-2033.
Submit Tenders To:
Village of Chamberlain – TAX TITLE TENDER Box 160
Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0
Deadline: September 17, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Renos at city complex to cost nearly $300K more than budgeted
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
the award and timely completion of the renovation project (this year), which addresses urgent space needs created by recent staffing changes,” the report stated.
The report noted that the city wanted to upgrade five components at the city complex, but after multiple unsuccessful tenders — over two years — due to compliance issues, tariffs and lack of bids, the organization decided to pursue just the boiler replacement this year for $72,030.
The boiler is the highestrisk mechanical component of the five items and could fail before council approves the 2026 budget, so enhancing it will ensure the administration areas can continue to receive heat, the report stated.
The city will re-tender the remaining mechanical work next year, with an anticipated additional budget requirement of $286,000.
Administration told council that whatever money remains from the boiler project will be carried forward to support other maintenance projects.
Meanwhile, recent staff restructuring and growth in operational functions at the complex have created an urgent need for extra functional office space, the report said. Existing areas
are at capacity, which limits the venue’s ability to accommodate new staff and creates inefficiencies in workflow and collaboration.
The report noted that the renovation project will:
• Connect a new prefabricated skid in the southeast corner, providing a modern, purpose-built workspace
• Relocate the boardroom to create an open workstation area that enables teams to work closer to each other and improve communication
• Construct a dedicated office for certain staff within the warehouse and improve oversight of inventory and co-ordination with operations
• Optimize underused floor space, improve accessibility and reduce operational disruptions that the cramped work environments create “These changes will result in improved staff efficiency, enhanced service delivery and better alignment of workspace with operational needs,” the document stated.
Pursuing the renovation project this year allows the municipality to avoid additional costs due to inflation and rising construction prices, avoid extra storage costs, minimize disrup-
tions to workspaces, and transition staff into the new work area during the winter when operational demands are lower, said the report.
The report noted that the renovation project tender closed in July, with the lowest bid received of $350,425 “significantly exceeding” the consultant’s estimate of $215,000, the document continued.
The city had anticipated awarding the upgrade project to the lowest bidder on July 29, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, but because of the required budget transfer, officials will award the contract on Sept. 1 and expect the contractor to complete the project by February 2026, the report said.
The approaching winter season creates a moderateto-high risk to the project’s completion schedule since cold weather can delay or increase costs for foundation work, the document continued.
Further delays to awarding the contract could also affect the availability of contractors and lead times for materials, which could push the completion into the late spring of 2026, the report added. Proceeding with the transfer of money now minimizes these risks by allowing the contractor to mobilize before freeze-up.
Car raffle draw on Sunday
Submitted
Tickets are sold out on the 1964 Comet convertible muscle car being raffled by the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village Museum.
The $50,000 goal has been achieved. Draw for the car will be made Sunday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. at the museum threshing bee. A cowboy poet will also be featured that Sunday at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the church. And a Sunday church service will be held at 11 a.m.
Letters
to the
EDITOR
for MJ Express
RE: DIEFENBAKER IRRIGATION
PROJECT PART II
This is the second half of a letter to the editor to follow last week’s submission.
I believe we should not support that Diefenbaker lake irrigation project from the Saskatchewan Party Government at all.
In regard to caring & improving our agriculture industry & facing climate change I believe it is time that we transform the way we care about our farmland. Presently in many parts of the world some countries & some farmers are changing their farming habits. Many are planting &
Guidelines for Submitting Letters to the Editor:
Due to space allotment in Moose Jaw Express for free letters to the editor, we find it necessary to establish some guidelines in submissions that will be in effect.
• All letters to the editor submitted to the Moose Jaw Express newspaper should not exceed 900 words. In this case, we reserve the right to edit them accordingly.
• Please do not write letters of personal attack or are condescending.
• A full name and contact information will need to be included with each submission for verification.
replanting rows of trees in their agricultural land. The roots of tree bring up the underground water. The tree leaves collect humidity & disperse it to the crop when it’s dry. They also protect it from the wind and they act as houses for insects that pollinate & for all kinds of birds. There is a great potential of economic development in caring in different ways in regard to creating our food and caring for our soil & our animals.
As we know, it is very important that we care deeply about our air, our water & about the soil that sustains millions of other human beings like us, as well as billions of all kinds
• Only the name will be included in publication with the letter as the contributor.
• We Reserve The Right to Edit.
Send your letters to the editor to: joan@moosejawexpress.com All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves and not necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express
of animals & plants, who like us deserve a healthy world to live in.
We all try in some way to get some good ideas & inspiration on how we could improve our collective wellbeing & our economies, as well as how we may improve our own private life.
Being wise enough to know which ideas collectively or individually to pursue & which ones to let go of is at times as we all know still very challenging; it is a great part in my view of the spiritual journey that we are all on.
In regard to these ideas of the “ Diefenbaker irrigation project, “ I sin-
MOOSE JAW SHRINE CLUB
cerely hope that our Provincial Government will choose to let go of these ideas. Presently the level of our waterway keeps declining & with the consequence of our climate changing we should act very wisely in regard to the how & why we use that precious resource that is water. We should also perhaps keep investing in purifying & reusing all our sewer water from our city & business & not send back any polluted water in our water way.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Michel Labonte
THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS
Donna Fritzke Tourism Moose Jaw
Kitchen upgrades serve up a fresh start at Timothy Eaton Centre
The kitchen at the Timothy Eaton Centre has officially reopened as of 8 a.m. on Sept. 2, with a fresh look and an improved layout, following a series of much-needed renovations made possible by community support and the generosity of local partners.
Home to the Moose Jaw and District Senior Citizens Association (MJDSCA), the centre’s upgraded kitchen marks the completion of a long-anticipated project designed to modernize the space for staff, volunteers, and visitors alike.
“Today (Aug. 29) was the last day of getting everything ready, so when we open up on Tuesday (Sept. 2), the kitchen will be up and running,” said Tanya Legare, administrator with the MJDSCA. “Everything’s in — we’ve actually got the groceries in and … we’re just waiting on somebody to come and check our sandwich bar, just to make sure everything’s at the right temperature.”
The kitchen makeover included a new centre island built from under-the-counter refrigerators, purchased with support from the Moose Jaw Co-op’s Project Shine campaign and installed with help from AJ’s Maintenance & Supply Ltd., which handled the dishwasher disconnection and reconnection.
A new three-door freezer, also funded in part by Project Shine, was installed with new electrical outlets provided by L&I Electric Ltd. ServiceMaster Restore of Moose Jaw assisted with removing the old island, stove and fryer, clearing the way for End of the Roll Flooring Centre, which levelled and installed brandnew flooring. The cabinetry and walls were repainted
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“They were quite a team,” Legare said about the workers. “Everybody … worked very well together and they were communicating with one another and made it very simple for us.”
The project was years in the making, with the Moose Jaw Co-op’s Project Shine initiative playing a key role in helping the centre move forward.
“With the money raised from (Project Shine), we were able to get the freezer and the refrigerators … it freed up a lot more space to purchase other items,” Legare said. “The new, energy-efficient (appliances) are going to help us (with costs) in the long run.”
Perhaps nobody is happier than kitchen manager Tina Euteneier, who has worked in the space for several years. She said she’s thrilled with the transformation.
“It looks fantastic,” she said. “It has been a long time coming.”
by Elite Coating Systems, who also went above and beyond to repaint surrounding areas in the café to visually tie the space together.
C&E Mechanical Inc. managed the disconnection and reinstallation of gas lines for the stove and fryer, while Proline Plumbing & Heating Ltd. replaced piping in the dish pit area and installed a new sump pump for the ice machine.
Crews worked together over the span of three weeks to remove and reinstall appliances, lay new flooring, update electrical connections and paint cabinets and walls.
When asked what made the biggest difference, Euteneier didn’t hesitate. “The floor — that’s for sure,” she said confidently. “It was pretty bad before.”
The café plans to keep its current menu for now, but Euteneier hinted that some changes could come alongside the upgrade in the new year.
The Timothy Eaton Café is open for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday to Friday, and is closed on stat holidays. The MJDSCA primarily serves adults over the age of 50, however the café is open to everyone.
The Timothy Eaton Centre is located at 510 Main Street North. For more information, call 306-694-4223 or email MJSenior@shaw.ca.
Kitchen manager Tina Euteneier shares a smile in the newly renovated kitchen at the Timothy Eaton Centre ahead of its grand reopening. “See you all Sept. 2 at 8 a.m. Come have breakfast or lunch that day and check it out. The kitchen looks amazing,” she said. Photo by: Moose Jaw and District Senior Citizens Association
Moose Jaw shooter captures world title at Grand American Trapshooting Championship
A Moose Jaw resident has captured one of the most prestigious titles in trap shooting, recently earning international recognition for both his skill and his hometown.
Joe Binetruy, 56, won the Grand American Handicap Champion title at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championship in Sparta, Ill., that ran from July 29 to Aug. 8. Facing 1,771 competitors from across North America and abroad, Binetruy broke 99 of 100 clay targets at 27 yards to advance to a dramatic shootoff that decided the winner.
“There were five people tied with the 99,” Binetruy said, recalling how his near-perfect round was only the beginning. The tie forced a sudden-death shoot-off, where he calmly shattered another 25 straight targets. One rival matched him shot for shot, setting up a second showdown between the two remaining competitors.
“So then it was down to the two of us,” he said. “We went to another shoot-off of 25 (targets) and I broke 24 — he broke 23.”
The narrow victory marked the first time a Saskatchewan shooter has ever claimed the Grand American Handicap Championship, regarded as the most difficult and sought-after title in the sport. He’s also the fourth Canadian to earn the title since 1900.
Trap shooting is a clay-target discipline that tests precision and consistency. Competitors fire shotguns at clay discs launched from a small “trap house,” with the targets flying away at varying angles. In singles, shooters stand 16 yards back and take turns hitting one target at a time, while doubles see two targets launched simultaneously. The handicap event, considered the toughest test, places shooters at staggered distances between 19 and 27 yards based on ability, creating a level playing field.
“Usually the handicap is the most prestigious event, and that is the toughest one … to win and break good scores,” he explained.
Binetruy has been active in the sport since 1985, regularly shooting on weekends throughout the summer. He previously competed at the world level once in 1999, but this was his first trip to the new Sparta venue. Having first competed at the world level in 1999 with little to show for it, Binetruy’s return to the championship was a hard-fought redemption, culminating in one of the toughest victories of his career.
“I missed about my seventh bird out … and then waited about two and a half hours for the shoot-off,” he recalled. “You have to try and prepare mentally … to be able to shoot, and hope you don’t go out in front of ev-
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erybody and make yourself shoot like 16 out of 25. That wouldn’t be very good, because there’s a pretty good audience watching the shoot-offs too, right?”
Despite the nerves, his consistency held. For Binetruy, the victory is a career highlight on top of numerous provincial titles in sin gles, doubles, and handicap shooting.
The achievement also shines a spotlight
on the Moose Jaw Trap and Skeet Club, where Binetruy is a longtime member. Located just east of the city, the club operates two trap fields and one skeet field, with shoots Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
Binetruy said the sport’s biggest challenge in Canada is attracting new competitors, and he hopes his achievement helps raise awareness.
“In the U.S. it’s different. They’ve got high school and college teams, and they can get scholarships and all that for shooting — but there’s nothing like that in Canada,” he said.
For Binetruy, who travelled with friends from the Regina Trap and Skeet Club and never expected such a result, the win served to remind him why he competes.
“Never did we expect anything like that … to come
MOOSE JAW TIER 1 HOCKEY (MOOSE JAW WARRIORS HOCKEY CLUB)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting of the Members of Moose Jaw Tier 1 Hockey Inc. (Moose Jaw Warriors Hockey Club) will be held on the 18th day of September, 2025 at 11:30am, at Moose Jaw Temple Gardens Centre, Moose Jaw SK.
Year end nancials and Presidential report available to Shareholders at Warriors o ce on September 17th.
Nomination forms must be submitted to the Warriors o ce no later than September 4th, 4:00 p.m.
Dated this 25th day of Aug., 2025.
Moose Jaw Tier 1 Hockey Inc.
By Marianne Simon
Binetruy stands with his championship trophy at the Trapshooting Hall of Fame and Museum in Sparta, Ill.
Photo by: Submitted photo
Joe Binetruy of Moose Jaw following his championship victory at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championship in Sparta, Ill.
Photo by: Submitted photo
Moose Jaw Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary
happy with what he’s seen
from team through training camp
Close to 110 players take part as WHL squad begins to build toward 2025-26 season
Moose Jaw Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary has been through his share of training camps with the Western Hockey League club since first joining the team as an assistant coach in 2012-13, but this time around carried a bit of a different look.
For the first time in a decade, the Warriors are coming off a campaign where they didn’t crack the WHL Playoffs. Of course, that blow was softened somewhat by what the team had accomplished the previous season, but it’s safe to say the Warriors are looking to change their fate heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
That quest began in earnest when players took the ice for rookie camp and main camp practices on Thursday, with the Warriors hosting close to 110 players at Temple Gardens Centre for the fiveday event.
“It’s been great,” O’Leary said afterFriday afternoon’s second-to-last rookie camp scrimmage. “I think with our meetings, talking amongst each other after each scrimmage here, we’ve been very happy with the young guys. It’s a lot of hockey, but the skill is fun to watch. Then with our returning players, the first thing that stood out was how good of shape they were in. Obviously, we had a longer summer than we want to have every year, but with that time, you have an opportunity to put in some work and our guys did.”
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While there were way more scrimmages than in past camps, the event followed a familiar pattern. Rookies plied their trade through the first two days of ice sessions before attention turned to Main Camp on Saturday and Sunday. It all wrapped up with the Red Grey Intrasquad Game on Sunday evening.
Rookie camp marked the first time O’Leary had seen many of his young charges on an extended basis, which made for a learning experience for the coach as well as players.
“”You know the names whether it’s through the draft or a list or an invite, but seeing what type of player they are is the next step,” O’Leary said. “There’s guys that score goals, there’s guys that check and the same goals for the defenceman. So it’s getting a grasp on what type of player they are and seeing how they play against their peers.”
A highlight even at the rookie camp stage -- generally featuring 15-year-olds who had just been drafted and 16-yearolds looking to crack the main roster on a full-time basis -- is seeing the progres-
sion of players. For the youngest skaters, that could be from scrimmage to scrimmage, and for the older rookies, from where they were last season.
“Some of these younger guys have been to a couple camps now and seeing how much they’ve improved over the year, that’s a lot of fun at that age,” O’Leary said. “If you work at your game, you can come a long way in one year and that’s one of the exciting things about this time of year seeing the work that they’ve put in and how they’ve developed as a player.”
While the rookies were doing their thing, the team’s veterans were putting in their time in a series of practices leading up to Main Camp. O’Leary and his coaching crew took a bit of a different approach this season, spending less time on basics and more on intricacies. That plan appears to have worked out well.
“We’ve jumped right into a little more structure and a lot more teaching in terms of what it means to be a Warrior and what we’re looking to do with our team on the ice this year,” O’Leary
explained. “So I think they’re equipped, they’ve put in the work in terms of preparing themselves to play the right way and I know they’ll be chomping at the bit now to get some scrimmages under their belt.”
Beyond that, the message to the team in Main Camp sounded familiar.
“First and foremost is taking ownership,” O’Leary said. “What you think about things, how you talk about things and how you act and that’s what we’re looking for in these guys. And then doing it with a purpose whether it’s our system or the habits or playing your game. After that, it’s the effort and compete. We know what type of players these guys are, we’ve seen them for years now. With everything you do, the effort level and the compete level has got to be there right from the drop.”
The Warriors open their pre-season schedule on Friday when they travel to Swift Current to face the Broncos at 7 p.m.. Moose Jaw will then take on the Broncos at the Southland Centre in Assiniboia on Saturday, with that contest starting at 5 p.m.
The Warriors play their lone home game of the preseason on Friday, Sept. 12 when the Saskatoon Blades are at the Temple Gardens Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw Warriors overager Ethan Semeniuk in action during a Main Camp practice. Moose Jaw Warriors.
Moose Jaw Warriors prospects strategize during a rookie camp scrimmage on Day 3 of training camp. Moose Jaw Warriors
There were a few smiling faces during the Main Camp scrimmages on Saturday. Moose Jaw Warriors.
When the Moose Jaw Warriors made Lanigan’s Kash Elke their first-round selection in the 2025 Western Hockey League Prospects draft this past summer, they knew they were getting a player with plenty of size and skill to go along with it.
Through the first two days of rookie camp at Temple Gardens Centre this week, Elke has lived up to the advance billing and then some.
To put it simply, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound forward has looked like a man among boys out on the ice, which isn’t much of a surprise given he’s among a crew of 15- and 16-year-olds taking their first steps in the WHL.
And like his peers, Elke has found the whole thing to be an eye-opening and extremely positive experience.
“Camp’s been a blast,” Elke said shortly after his Team Red took a 6-4 win over Team Blue during a scrimmage on Friday afternoon. “Getting to meet some of the older vets, some of the older players, and getting to play with some of the new guys just like me, it’s been a lot of fun.”
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same level, same skill and it’s just been a very hard weekend, fun weekend.”
Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary has been impressed with what he’s seen from Elke, especially with how he’s improved from scrimmage to scrimmage.
“I think he’s a great example of getting more comfortable as the camp goes along,” O’Leary said. “Seeing what type of player he is, he’s a first-round pick, he’s going to have the skill.
But watching that skill against some pretty good competition and seeing him improve, we’re seeing more and more of what type of player he is.”
whether it’s hockey or life, you do have to work for it and there’s other guys that want it too. So that’s the compete aspect of things, but he did his part and it’ll be fun to see him go up against some bigger, stronger, older guys.”
For his part, Elke looked forward to the challenge.
“It’s going to be a whole other level, but I’m ready for it,” he said.
For as well as things have gone for Elke thus far, the increased calibre of play has been noticeable, as one might expect when you have some of the best players in western Canada taking the ice at the same time. That’s not a surprise for the former Humboldt Broncos U15 AA standout, though.
“Exactly what I expected,” Elke said. “It’s a whole other level out here. Everybody’s kind of at the same pace,
Elke -- who had 33 goals and 66 points in the Sask AA U15 Hockey League with the Broncos last season -moved on to main camp after Friday’s final rookie scrimmage and had the chance to take another step altogether alongside the likes of Lynden Lakovic, Pavel McKenzie and Connor Schmidt.
“He’ll be at main camp, but certainly he earned it as well,” O’Leary said. “That’s an important part of this camp too. You don’t want guys skipping steps and they have to understand that
However things turn out, Elke will be suiting up for the Tisdale Trojans in the Sask Male AAA Hockey League this coming campaign. He took the ice in six games with Tisdale last season and two goals and four points.
The Warriors open their pre-season schedule on Friday when they travel to Swift Current to face the Broncos at 7 p.m.. Moose Jaw will then take on the Broncos at the Southland Centre in Assiniboia on Saturday, with contest starting at 5 p.m.
The Warriors play their lone home game of the preseason on Friday, Sept. 12 when the Saskatoon Blades are at the Temple Gardens Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw Warriors rookie forward Kash Elke has already turned heads at camp with his combination of size and skill. Moose Jaw Warriors
A new chapter was written in Moose Jaw’s sporting history on the weekend of Aug. 16 and 17, as the city hosted the 20th annual Saskatchewan Provincial Disc Golf Championships for the first time.
More than 80 competitors from Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba converged on Moose Jaw’s two disc golf courses — Wakamow Valley Disc Golf Course and Deja Vu Disc Golf Course — for the two-day tournament, which featured 12 divisions based on age and skill. Players battled through three rounds of competition, capped by a dramatic playoff that secured a homegrown win in the professional division.
“This year was the first time that a Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)-sanctioned event was held in Moose Jaw,” said tournament co-director Jeri-Ann Brownbridge. “Because of the Deja Vu Disc Golf Course being installed and open to the public, it offered a higher level of tournament to be held (here in Moose Jaw).”
The Deja Vu course, officially opened May 30, 2024, was a key factor in bringing the championships to the city. Brownbridge explained that the dual-course setup allowed organizers to balance play between an amateur-friend-
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ly layout at Wakamow’s course and a pro-level challenge at Deja Vu.
“I went out to the grand opening with the Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association and gave the course a play ... the day the baskets were installed,” she said. “When we played it, we saw the potential of hosting the provincial championships here.”
The tournament drew positive feedback from players, and Brownbridge said she heard from more participants than in previous years, calling it a clear indicator of the event’s success.
“I think the major successes of the event came from Moose Jaw itself … local business owners (provided) a huge amount of support … beyond what I could have imagined,” she said, noting that dozens of local businesses were involved in various facets. “The community of Moose Jaw is outstanding.”
In all, about a dozen Moose Jaw players competed, with local athletes securing first place in four divisions — including the
prestigious Mixed Professional Open (MPO). Seventeen-year-old Drew Biette of Moose Jaw emerged as the provincial champion after defeating an experienced field in playoffs.
The success of the provincial championships has also set the stage for Moose Jaw to pursue even bigger opportunities. Disc Golf Saskatchewan is currently working toward hosting the province’s first-ever Masters event in June 2026, which would cater to players aged 40 and older.
“We’re in the works of hosting Saskatchewan’s first ever Masters event, and that’s a big deal,” Brownbridge said. “We think Moose Jaw would be the perfect place to host it, based on all the support (we’ve received) from the community.”
She added that while provincial championships rotate annually among communities — with Oxbow, Sask., already scheduled for 2026 — Moose Jaw proved it can rise to the challenge of high-profile disc golf tournaments.
“We were able to have
multiple cards of age-protected divisions, which inspired us to hold a Masters event,” she said.
The weekend also highlighted the inclusive and growing nature of the sport, which Brownbridge continues to champion as both a competitor and organizer, describing disc golf as inclusive, peaceful, and “also really good for mental health.”
Brownbridge expressed her gratitude to those who made the event possible.
“I want to say a big thank you to the Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association and the Wakamow Valley Authority for all their assistance in helping make the 20th annual Saskatchewan Provincial Disc Golf Championships a success, and thank you to all our players for having us be the tournament directors for the event.”
Those interested in trying disc golf can connect through the Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association by the same name on Facebook or the provincial body, Disc Golf Saskatchewan. Brownbridge, who also serves as the organization’s social media co-ordinator, will directly answer any inquiries on Facebook at “Disc Golf Saskatchewan.”
The Wakamow Valley Disc Golf Course is located at 3 Wellesley Street, and the Deja Vu Disc Golf Course is located within Sunningdale Park.
Players gather during the Saturday night skills competition at The Ridge Golf Course in Moose Jaw, a social event that offered a break from tournament play at the 20th annual Saskatchewan Provincial Disc Golf Championships. Photo by: Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association
Shawna showcases proper disc golf mechanics with the help of a ThroForm training harness during the skills session. Photo by: Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association
Curtis tests out a ThroForm training harness, designed to limit movement and improve swing mechanics during the championships. Photo by: Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association
The 20th annual Saskatchewan Provincial Disc Golf Championships, held in Moose Jaw from Aug. 16 to 17, showcased two generations of talent, as 17-year-old Drew Biette captured his first Pro Division title while veteran Tripp Sevs cemented his standing with a third-place finish in the 50-plus Pro Division.
Drew Biette
For Biette, the win was a breakout moment. He began playing during the pandemic, tossing frisbees around his family acreage, and has quickly risen through the ranks of the Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association.
“It definitely was a good feeling,” Biette said. “We went to overtime, so it was a lot of nerves.”
The teenager topped a field of about two dozen competitors to claim the Mixed Professional Open crown, only one year after winning the amateur title. His journey was anything but straightforward — he led by three strokes going into the final round before falling behind, only to claw back to a tie on the last hole.
“Going into the final round I was leading by three strokes, and then with the last three holes left, I was down two. I had to perform a little bit there, but was able to come back and tie it by 18,” he recounted. “With a fortunate throw, I was able to land within about 15 feet of the basket and make a birdie putt, and an unfortunate out of bounds throw for the competitor was definitely a fortunate moment that could have gone any way.”
Looking ahead, he plans to test him-
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self further in 2026.
“We had a couple tournaments this year, but I’m trying to get a couple bigger tournaments in … more to push my level,” he said. “You get better when you play against (more experienced players), right?”
For newcomers, his advice was simple: buy a starter set and give it a try.
“It’s a fun sport, it’s inclusive, and you can get your whole family out there.”
Tripp Sevs
While Biette’s win heralded the arrival of a rising star, Sevs’ finish highlighted Moose Jaw’s growing disc golf community across generations. Sevs turned pro for the first time this season, entering the MP50 division for players aged 50 and over.
“This was the first time I entered Pro, and I got third place,” he said.
Sevs has been a fixture at local courses since 2019, when the Wakamow Valley Disc Golf Course first opened, and was part of the design committee for Moose Jaw’s newer Deja Vu course.
“I live maybe five blocks away from the Wakamow course. Whenever I feel like getting out of the house and getting a bit of exercise, I’ll walk down and do a round. I met a lot of friends that way … and it’s always fun to play with someone else,” he said.
He called this year’s championship a milestone for the city.
“I thought it was great. There were … over 80 disc golfers registered for the event, so we had a lot of people in town
for that,” he said.
Sevs said the sport’s affordability and accessibility are what keep him playing.
“Most courses are free to play on,” he explained, noting that a starter kit with the four basic discs — putter, mid-range, fairway, and distance driver — can be purchased for about $30. “It’s just good exercise, and … it’s an excuse to get off the couch.”
Winners included Shawna Scott in the Female Professional Open, Ian McKay in the 50-plus Pro Division, Andrew Savage in the top amateur division (MA1), and Carly Picard in the Female Amateur 1 category.
To learn more, visit “Moose Jaw Disc Golf Association” on Facebook.
Peacock falls to Yorkton, Central defeats Balgonie as South Rural 5A Football League season begins
The Yorkton Raiders and Central Cyclones opened the South Rural 5A Football League season the way they were hoping for, each picking up victories this weekend.
The Raiders started their campaign on the road on Saturday and took a 22-7 win over the Peacock Tornadoes at Gutheridge Field in Moose Jaw, while Central traveled to Leibel Field in Regina and defeated the Balgonie Greenall Griffins, with the score from that contest unavailable as of this writing.
Yorkton led 14-7 at half against Peacock, with Hunter Nagy giving the Raiders their first points of the season on a 95-yard run with 7:41 remaining in the first quarter. He’d pick up his second major two minutes later, plunging in from two yards out.
Leighton Dufour got a touchdown back for the Tornadoes as the first quarter came to an end, hauling in a 14-yard pass from Ethan Durrant.
A 21-yard field goal by Yorkton’s Colton Keltie
‘Ruck
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made it a 15-7 lead at half.
Nagy added his third touchdown of the game on a 58-yard run to finish off the third quarter, and a Keltie
single would cap scoring in the contest.
Nagy ended up with 25 carries for 287 yards to lead Yorkton’s offence.
Jake Holmes was 4-for-6 passing for 47 yards for the Raiders, Derek Kienie had four catches for 33 yards.
Rayan Yuhas Gebhart had 18 carries for 77 yards for the Tornadoes, who were much more busy through the air -- Durrant would finish 14-for-22 passing for 182 yards.
Measner was his favourite target with four catches for 65 yards.
The Weyburn Eagles were in Swift Current to face the Colts on Friday night, with no score reported from that contest.
League action continues on Friday, Sept. 5 with three games as Swift Current hosts Peacock (4 p.m.), Weyburn hosts Yorkton (7 p.m.) and Estevan is at Central (7 p.m.).
It Up’ launches ‘Rucktember’ challenge to get the community
A local fitness group is putting a fresh spin on walking this fall, encouraging residents to get outside, explore their surroundings, and build strength while they’re at it.
Ruck It Up has announced its inaugural “Rucktember” challenge, a monthlong event that runs through September and invites participants to ruck — the practice of walking or hiking with a weighted backpack or vest — for 20 minutes each day.
Tyler Simpson, organizer with Ruck It Up, said the idea came after seeing how popular similar challenges have been elsewhere.
“We have talked about adding another event and honestly we got inspiration from another local gym, Lift Health and Wellness. They do a walking challenge in August and we thought it would be great to give people another opportunity to get out and enjoy nature while moving their bodies,” Simpson said.
Participants are encouraged to share photos of their outings in a private Facebook group created for the challenge,
Aaron
Walker - Moose Jaw Express
soon to be launched through the “Ruck It Up” page on the same platform, adding a social element and a chance to showcase new discoveries.
“So often we live our daily lives looking down,” he noted. “We are looking at computer screens, phone screens — even walking around looking down at the road and not looking at the great world around us. We are challenging people to get out and move their bodies, but also to take a look around at the beauty the world has to offer.”
Weekly prize draws will add to the fun, with Ruck It Up merchandise and items donated by local businesses up for grabs. Entries are earned by posting photos to the dedicated Facebook group.
Beyond prizes, Simpson said he hopes the challenge builds a sense of connection to both community and nature.
“We hope that we can get more people out to enjoy the outdoors while exploring their community and understanding what it has to offer. This challenge can be done by anyone, anywhere,
and hopefully people will discover things about their communities that they didn’t know was there,” he said.
Ruck It Up has long supported Journey to Hope Moose Jaw, the local suicide prevention group that is dissolving this fall. While future partnerships are still being planned, Simpson said the or-
outdoors
ganization remains grateful for the collaboration.
“Journey to Hope has been an amazing organization for Moose Jaw and they have been a pleasure to work with over the last five years as our partner in the community,” he said. “Ruck It Up is just starting to plan its 2026 events and we hope to have details released by the end of the year.”
In the meantime, Simpson noted Ruck It Up will be on hand for the final Journey to Hope walk on Sept. 10 for its “Pass the Torch” ceremony in Crescent Park, and is looking forward to a strong community turnout. Journey to Hope will hold its final event Sept. 25 at the Temple Gardens Centre.
For more information about the upcoming Journey to Hope events, visit “Journey to Hope Moose Jaw Inc” on Facebook or email Info@HopeSummit.ca.
More details about the Rucktember challenge can be found on the “Ruck It Up” Facebook page or by emailing RuckItUpMJ@gmail.com.
The Central Cyclones opened the defence of their South Rural 5A Football League title with a win in Balgonie under the lights at Leibel Field on Friday night in Regina. Central Cyclones Facebook
Your City Taxpayer Dollars Hard at Work
SNAPSHOT: Strokin’ on the sunshine, right over the … rest
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SNAPSHOT: City crews took a no-nonsense approach to curb painting a few days ago, laying down a coat of bright white paint right over mud, weeds, and whatever else was in the way. It’s a move that brings to mind those old commercials where a brush and a bold attitude were all it took to freshen things up — no prep required. Whether it’s a shortcut or just sheer efficiency, this freshly lined curb is doing its best to shine through the mess. Photo by:
Dustin Hagen/Facebook
SNAPSHOT: The not-so-straight and narrow
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\SNAPSHOT: Drivers may have noticed a curious new addition along Fifth Avenue Northwest in front of King George School: a bright yellow line that looks like it has a mind of its own. Painted by city crews this August and photographed on the morning of Aug. 27, this cheerful squiggle definitely adds a touch of the whimsical ahead of the upcoming school year. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Tugaske rockets to reading success with 66K minutes logged
It’s not every day a Saskatchewan farmer pulls a combine off the field during harvest to launch a rocket at the local library.
That’s exactly what happened in Tugaske, Sask., on Aug. 29, as the village’s annual summer reading challenge ended with a bang — launched 1,500 feet (457.2 metres) into the sky.
The event marked the grand finale of the Tugaske Library Summer Reading Program, a growing local tradition now in its second year. Thirty-eight children participated in this summer’s challenge, collectively logging an impressive 66,008 minutes of reading between July 1 and Aug. 28.
“That’s over 1,000 hours. That’s all time that’s spent reading letters and not looking at screens,” said head librarian Violet Beaudry.
Beaudry is the only staff member at the Tugaske Library and spearheaded the program — and its rocket-themed prize party — from start to finish. A reading progress chart displayed in the library featured a rocket graphic moving higher as children logged their minutes, culminating in a symbolic rocket launch at the wrap-up celebration.
“At 2:30 p.m. we have a farmer coming in off the combine, and he’s actually going to launch a real rocket,” Beaudry said ahead of the party. “Then at 2:45, the children will get rocket hot dogs and water, and then awards will be handed out.”
The farmer in question was Daniel Wilson, who farms near Tugaske and has children in the reading program.
“We’re out in the field now,” he said during a phone interview while still on the job less than an hour ahead of the festival. “We’re going to shut down for a few minutes and go launch a rocket for them. I’ve got
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Children watch from a safe distance as Daniel Wilson’s model rocket stands ready for launch outside the Tugaske Library on Aug. 29. To celebrate nearly 1,100 hours of reading logged by local youth this summer, librarian Violet Beaudry arranged for the symbolic send-off to cap off the library’s second annual reading challenge. Photo by: Daniel Wilson
a couple young girls who are going to think it’s pretty cool, and I think everybody else will too.”
Wilson provided a model rocket from his personal collection for the occasion. “It’s about one foot tall… they go about 1,500 feet in the air,” he explained.
The program’s prize system was just as unique.
Children who logged the most reading minutes got first pick from a display table packed with space-themed prizes.
“The kid who read the most will pick from the table first, then the kid that read second will pick next,” said Beaudry. “Everyone will get a prize.”
One of those children was eight-year-old Gunnar, who logged a total of 4,654 minutes.
“He was in second place last year, and he was like, ‘Well, I am going to win this thing next year,’” said his mother, Kayla Hamm. “For the first three weeks, he read for like two hours a day … he averaged at least an hour and a half on most days.”
All four of Hamm’s children participated this year, logging impressive numbers across the board. Gunnar led the way, followed by seven-year-old Oliver, who logged 2,376 minutes. Her younger children, fouryear-old Willow and almost-two-year-old Griffin had their minutes tracked through read-aloud time, reaching just over 17 hours and 13 hours, respectively.
Despite his determination and a strong showing, Gunnar placed second for the second year in a row, narrowly missing the coveted top spot.
When it came to the festival itself, Kayla said her kids were most excited about the prizes — especially the space-themed ones carefully selected for the event. Gunnar had his eye on a lava lamp, while Oliver was hoping to take home a 747-piece rocket LEGO set.
Prizes were sourced from The Sputtergotch Toy Company in Swift Current, and sponsored by Conexus Credit Union, Western Sales Central Butte, and the Tugaske Co-op, which also provided food.
Reflecting on the program’s continued success, Hamm credited its heart and soul: “Violet is just incredible. She really … encourages reading, and does things like this to get kids really excited about it.”
The Tugaske Branch Public Library is located at 106 Ogema Street and can be reached at 1-306-759-2215.
Friends of the Library to help sell off Post Horizon bookstore’s inventory
The final chapter of Post Horizon Booksellers is coming quickly, as the business has recruited the Friends of the Library to help sell off the remaining in-store inventory.
The special book sale at 57 High Street West takes place on Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. There will be thousands of non-fiction and fiction books available to purchase for $2, with all sales by cash.
Bookworms are encouraged to bring their own bags or boxes to carry away the treasures they find on the shelves.
The Friends of the Library will use the proceeds from the sale to support the
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
Moose Jaw Public Library’s collections and programs, as well as help with any required equipment purchases or upgrades.
Anne Warriner, a spokeswoman for the Friends, said the group was “definitely delighted” when store owner Nelson Reid reached out and asked if it would help him get rid of his inventory, since he planned to close the storefront and focus on online orders.
Warriner noted that Reid has a huge collection of non-fiction titles that cover a wide range of topics, but no children’s titles, which may be a drawback for some. However, she expected customers to snap up many books regardless.
“It’s unfortunate for Moose Jaw to no longer have a used bookstore. It was popular with people here and in the area,” she said. “Moose Jaw will miss it hugely.”
Warriner said she occasionally purchased a book from Post Horizon Booksellers, and pointed out that as a former librarian, she mostly borrows items instead of buying them.
“We’re just very grateful to Nelson for thinking of us and giving us this opportunity,” she added.
Post Horizon Booksellers can be reached at 306-693-4243 or posthorizonbooks@gmail.com.
Friends of the Library will help Post Horizon Booksellers sell off the remaining in-store inventory, as the owner moves to online sales. Photo by Jason G. Antonio
Job fair aims to welcome newcomers, build connections in Moose Jaw
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
The Newcomer Welcome Centre (NWC) is inviting the whole community to take part in a job fair designed not only to connect employers and job seekers, but to help newcomers feel at home in Moose Jaw.
The event runs for one day only on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town ’N’ Country Mall. Admission is free and open to everyone — including newcomers, students, experienced workers, and anyone else interested in exploring local job opportunities.
\“This job fair is part of an initiative that the Newcomer Welcome Centre does to better integrate immigrants into our community,” said Maria Farias, employment connections advisor with the NWC. “We offer a variety of services to newcomers to Canada, and they’re all free of charge.”
The fair is part of a renewed effort to support career development and inclusion after a multi-year pause in host-
ing such events.
“We are doing this after a few years of not having job fairs offered by the NWC … (so now) we’re trying to restart the program …,” Farias said.
So far, more than 15 employers have registered for the fair, with room for more to sign on ahead of the Sept. 10 registration deadline.
“Attendees can expect to meet employers from (across) our community,” she said. “(It’s a great way to) explore which kinds of careers can be pursued here in our community and in our region.”
For newcomers especially, the fair is designed to be more than just a networking opportunity — it’s an entry point into feeling welcomed and supported in their new home. The NWC also offers ongoing employment support, including one-on-one counselling, resumé and interview support, and free weekly workshops.
“We have a variety of workshops that are also free, and they’re held every Tuesday here at the NWC,” Farias said. “For the upcoming months of October and November, we are planning some information sessions on topics such as
credentials, assessments, licensing in Canada for newcomers, and also digital skills and mock interview preparations.”
Employers who wish to reserve a table can register online through a link and QR code on the affiliated poster, with questions directed to Maria Farias by contacting the NWC front desk at 306-692-6892.
Registration for job seekers is available on-site the day of the event and is not required in advance.
“We’re hoping to see the whole community come together,” Farias added.
The job fair will take place at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall, located at 1235 Main Street North.
The Newcomer Welcome Centre is located at 432 Main Street North. For more information, visit MJNWC.ca or follow “Moose Jaw Newcomer Welcome Centre” on Facebook.
Daily Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, August 28, 2025
Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.
Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.
13. Go inside 21. Respond 25. Fecal matter of animals 26. 365 days 27. Ammunition
28. Breeze
29. Predeterminative
34. Dissertations
36. Lover of Aeneas
37. Broadcast
38. Adjusts
40. Broth or chowder 42. Bib
45. Pretentious talk
48. Nearsightedness
51. Lieu
52. Immense
53. Musical instrument 55. Recreational areas
58. Coarse file 59. Tirade
60. Bright thought 61. Legal claim 62. Yellow part of an egg
CLASSIFIED ADS
205 WANTED
Looking To Rent - Garage/warehouse/ or unused semi-trailer unit. Prefer downtown area. Will consider other options. Can be reached at 306-313-3439.
140 FOR RENT
Senior Living Condo for Rent - Points West Retirement Centre, 917 Bradley Street, Moose Jaw, SK. Friendly, warm, home like atmosphere, open floor plan
with large living room, full selfcontained kitchen, 2 bedrooms with walk-in closet, balcony, corner unit with beautiful view in 3 directions, ensuite washer and dryer, individual thermostat for heating or cooling, garage available, large and bright dining and common area floor plan, entertainment and bistro facilities, monthly or individual meals available, shuttle service available. For more information or viewing call: Dan 306 631-1669, Judi 306 631-0742
220 HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED - P/T or Casual secretary/typist/internet research assistant for Christian Bible topics. Must be compatible with salvation, healing, deliverance, and ministry outreach. Call 306-3133439.
135 TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
FOR SALE - 8 hp 24” Snowblower. Asking $275.00. Call 306-6308086.
165 HOUSEHOLD
Senior man needs to move and is looking for someone to take all the misc. for $200.00 tor viewing call 306-690-8018
For Sale - Table and Chairs (5) w/ leaf (2), Sofa - 87” long, 88” deep, other household items. Downsizing and open to offers. Please call 306-693-5634 or 306-630-8964.
188 HEALTH & BEAUTY SUPPLIES
For Sale - Legend Scooter, like new, asking $2500 OBO. Call Terry 306-580-6889.
Meritis Scooter for sale - $2400. Please call 306-691-0140.
210 SERVICES
Moving jobs done reasonably: appliances, furniture, dump runs. Call to do it all. $45.00 a load. 306-630-2268
Need work done? Contact Bill at 306-630-2268 . Interior/exterior, renovations, formwork, framing, finishing, tiling, painting and all construction, roofing/siding- no job too big or small. Reasonable rates, 30 years experience. Cleaner with 20 years experience available for move out cleans. Please call Rebecca at 306-9900387.
Will pick up, move, haul, and deliver any appliances, tvs, furniture, or anything large in and around Moose Jaw, $45 and up. 45-gallon plastic barrels, great for rainwater, $20 each. 1000 Litre plastic totes - $60. 45-gallon metal barrels, $15 each. 306681-8749
235 PERSONAL CONNECTIONS
Looking for the class of ‘66 from Sion Academy. Where are you? Deborah Dowdon 612-968-5625.
Obituaries / Memorials
MCLAFFERTY, JOHN ROBERT NEIL
John Robert Neil McLafferty age 81 passed away at Lethbridge AB August 22, 2025 with both daughters at his side. Born September 30, 1943 in Simcoe ON to Mary Lilian Longhurst (Lil) McLafferty and John Gerard (Jack) McLafferty.
John was raised in Boharm SK, then Moose Jaw SK, graduating from St Louis College. He left for Calgary to attend SAIT for Electrical Engineering. After accepting a job with GE Industries in Guelph ON, he checked a map and moved to begin his career. There he met Mary Anne Dorothy McKenzie, and they married September 13, 1969. The family moved to Kirkland Lake ON, where John taught at Northern College for 13 years, then to Nelson BC. In 2000 they moved to John’s hometown of Moose Jaw, John retired from teaching Computer Engineering at SIAST in 2012. John is survived by daughters Kama McLafferty and Taryn McLafferty; grandchildren Kelsey, Kathryn (Josh) and Rayne, Stone, Hank, and Ember, and his sister Judith. John was predeceased by daughter Dorian, his parents, and his wife. Arrangements are taking place with immediate family, and a memorial in Moose Jaw will occur at a later date.
To send a condolence, please visit www.salmonandsons.ca
SNAPSHOT: From classmates to changemakers
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
SNAPSHOT: Nearly five decades after tossing their caps, the A.E. Peacock Collegiate Class of 1975 is still making a mark in Moose Jaw. At their recent reunion, classmates raised $1,000 through an auction of handcrafted items and presented the donation to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation in support of patients at Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital. Kelly McElree, CEO of the foundation, left, accepts the cheque from reunion co-chair Sandi Hutchinson and Karen Schoenroth. Photo by: Moose Jaw Health Foundation
Canadian cattle numbers increase
Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
The Canadian cattle herd increased slightly during the last year.
A mid-year survey by Statistics Canada revealed numbers increased .8 per cent to 11.9 million head.
All provinces, except B.C., showed an increase year over year to July 1.
This was the first herd increase since 2021.
The change saw two per cent more breeding heifers, one half per cent more bulls and 1.8 per cent fewer steers.
Meanwhile prices have been at record highs with auction prices running up to $4 a pound for 500 pound calves.
Fewer cattle were slaughtered and exports of live cattle fell by 390,000 head.
Saskatchewan’s herd increased by 15,000 head to 2.45 million while Alberta’s herd was up 60,000 to $5.23 million head — largest in the country.
Manitoba’s herd increased by 5,000 to 1.95 million head while the Quebec herd was up 5,000 to 950,000.
The Atlantic provinces
increased the herd by 100 to 194,200.
The herd in B.C. stayed at 590,000.
Hog numbers in Canada declined 1.3 per cent to 13.8 million in the face of strong prices. The hog herd in Saskatchewan increased by 5,000 to 950,000.
Sheep and lambs on farms increased one per cent to one million head.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net
TRINITY UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Dr. John Kreutzwieser is a retired pastor from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Moose Jaw, SK. He graduated with a doctorate degree in 2006 from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Florida.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
Obstreperous
We have been hosting two granddaughters over the past week as they are taking swimming lessons. At certain times of the day they are most obstreperous. It is draining on us but quite exciting for them until suddenly one of them starts crying.
Obstreperous means marked by unruly or aggressive noisiness. Obstreperous has been used in the English language since the 1600s. I’m not sure in which situation it was first used but I imagine it was either in an English pub or a large family setting.
Obstreperous is derived from a combination of Latin words. The prefix ‘ob’ meaning against was added to the verb ‘strepere’ meaning to make a noise.
Someone who is obstreperous is literally making a noise to rebel against something.
The Latin word ‘strepere’ lead to one other English word, strepitous, meaning characterized or accompanied by much noise. It can be hard to sleep in the city centre during New Year’s Eve because of the strepitous racket in the streets.
Vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous, and obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention.
Vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out. When the election results were announced at the rally there were vociferous cries of protest and outrage because of the short time given for voting.
Clamorous means insistency and hollering in demanding or protesting. At the inmates monthly meeting there were clamorous demands for prison reforms, which included the food service.
Blatant suggests an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness. Children of Generation X will often complain of the blatant rock music their parents favour. Once the party lost control of the house there was a blatant clamor for impeachment.
Strident indicates harsh and discordant noise. Walking around the nature park is usually serene until the strident cries of crows disturb the peace.
Boisterous implies noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits. After the Rider win a boisterous crowd of fans spilled onto the streets in Regina.
Obstreperous alludes to unruly and aggressive noisiness resistant to restraint. As the protest parade grew larger and uncontrollable the obstreperous
demonstrators were arrested.
Sometimes when the granddaughters visit we also look after Diggs, the dog. He often sits on the love seat in the living room and looks out the large windows. From there he patrols the local activity and is prone to bark at all dogs, most people, and even imaginary predators. We think he is being protective. It would do us little good to say, “Diggs, quit being so obstreperous!” He rarely pays attention to, “NO!”
Obstreperous can also mean stubbornly resistant to control. Obstreperous has much more panache than words like stubborn or unruly. Obstreperous is unlikely to be used in casual speech, contexts with animals, or children and boisterous adults. However, obstreperous can punch up your writing, especially when describing any rowdy behaviour or an unruly child. Hollering the phrase ‘quit being so obstreperous’ might be a way of getting the attention of anyone out of control or causing a ruckus, but they may not have any idea what you are talking about.
Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage.
John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to wordwisdom2021@gmail.com . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
Minto United Church holds final service after building sells
After 113 years of existence, Minto United Church celebrated its final service on Aug. 31, after finding a buyer for its building that had been for sale for over a year.
Minto began in 1912 after seven rural churches united their congregations under one roof. Since then, the building has undergone several expansions and renovations as the church sought to better serve the residents of Moose Jaw and surrounding communities.
Similar to other United Church congregations across Canada, the size of Minto’s congregation shrank over the decades, making the need for a large sanctuary and Christian education building unnecessary. In 2023, the church leadership put the building up for sale, and two years later, Living Springs Church Inc. acquired it.
Living Springs has operated in Moose Jaw since early 2023, after city council gave it permission in late 2022 to reconvert the building at 303 Coteau
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
very fond memories … (and) very cherished memories of Minto, of the building and of the church,” he continued. “And those memories will be grieved and thought of and remembered very, very well.”
The church board encouraged people with connections to Minto United Church to attend the final service and share their memories, along with the joy and the grief.
challenges with our family.”
The Minto congregation will continue to worship in a room in the building until it can find another space, an agreement that the board worked out with Living Springs.
Street West into a worship space.
“It’s unfortunate that we can no longer use the entire space (at Minto Church) properly, (but) we’re generally pretty happy that our beloved building is going to another church,” said Neil Colmin, Minto’s board chairman, noting Living Springs approached the realtor two months ago about purchasing the site.
“There are a lot of people who have
Colmin attended Minto United Church for more than 32 years and says the congregation always felt like family to him, no matter whether there were many people in the pews or only a handful.
“I know that our congregation is moving onwards, but we are moving onwards as a Minto family,” he said. “So there (are) a lot of cherished memories I will take with me — there are a lot of them.
“But moving forward, I’m looking forward to new experiences and new
“It’s a house of God. That’s what it is. And our Minto family can no longer manage the building as it is,” added Colmin. “And we are … sad to see it go, but we are happy that another Church organization — another family of God — can take up residence within our cherished building.”
Minto United Church is located at 1036 Seventh Avenue Northwest. Photo by Jason G. Antonio
A large “sold” sign at the corner of Seventh Avenue Northwest and Oxford Street announces the sale of the church. Photo by Jason G. Antonio
UPCOMING EVENTS IN MOOSE JAW
If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at: joan@moosejawexpress. com
Town N’ Country Mall events
Cello Performances by Duncan – September 4 @ 2:30pm, September 8 @ 10:30am, September 18 @ 2:30pm, and September 29 @ 10:30am.
Job Fair – Tuesday, September 17, 10am–4pm. Bring your résumé and be prepared for a mini interview.
Charm Jewelry Workshop – Sunday, September 7, 1pm–4pm. $30 per person (all supplies included). $5 from each registration goes to Running Wild Rescue. Spaces are limited – reserve by emailing craftsalegail@ gmail.com
Fall Basket Giveaway – Sunday, September 22. Ballots available at participating stores. T-Land Grand Opening – Thursday, September 18.
SCRAPS Flea Market – Friday, September 26 (10am–6:30pm), Saturday, September 27 (10am–4pm), and Sunday, September 28 (10am–4pm). If you have donations, please contact Tara at 306-630-1822. Truth and Reconciliation Day – Saturday, September 27, 11am–4pm. Indigenous vendors throughout the mall, traditional dancers 1pm–3pm, with dignitaries speaking at 1pm.
Draw for the 1964 Comet Convertible muscle car will be made Sunday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village Museum threshing bee. Tickets are sold out as the $50,000 goal has been reached. A cowboy poet will also be featured that Sunday at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the church. And a Sunday church service will be held at 11 a.m. Moose Jaw Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan: HELL With The BELL BREAKFAST will be held at the MJ WILDLIFE FEDERATION 1396 - 3rd Ave. NE on Wednesday, September 3 at 10am.
New and Current STS members are invited to celebrate the start of the school year with the HELL with the BELL Breakfast. Program: Introduction and Welcome to our new members. Eating and Visiting.day. Cost: $5 (Complimentary for our newly Superannuated Teachers and partners).
Please Register: by Sunday, August 31, 2025. There are 3 ways to Register for our events: Email stsmoosejaw@gmail.com, phone: R. Marcil: 306-691-0696, or click Events on our website www.stsmoosejaw.com. UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark your calendars!
LUNCHEON Meetings: All Meetings are at Masonic Hall, Main Street @ 10:30 AM
Wed. Sept 17, 2025
Wed. Nov 19, 2025
Wed. Jan 21, 2026
Wed. March 18, 2026
Wed. May 20, 2026
Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling Club has returned to their GREENS in Crescent Park. Regular hours will be Tues & Thur @10:00am and 6:30pm M-Tu-W-Th. Everyone welcome. This is a sport for all abilities, for both recreation and competition, for youth and seniors. Text 306-630-8160 for info about other opportunities to participate. Drop in bowls will be Tues &Thurs@10am; also, M-T-W-Th @7. Moose Jaw Camera Club is gearing up for
its new season starting Monday, September 8 at 7PM at Cosmo Senior Citizens Center. The club welcomes photography enthusiasts ranging from beginner to experienced and from cell phone to advanced camera equipment users. Everyone is welcome to come to this meeting and see what the club is about and enjoy “Popcorn and a Slideshow” of members’ amazing photography at no charge or obligation. For Club information: Georgina 306-630-7835 or Betty 306-371-5220.
In Moose Jaw Parkinsons Support Group meet at 1:30 p.m. on the last Monday of the following months: April and May. Call or text 306 756 2819.
The Prairie Hearts Quilters Guild is held 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 pm. At Zion church from Sept to May. New Youth Pipe Band in Moose Jaw “The White Heather” for youth aged 8 to 12. Further information may be obtained by contacting Michelle Carline at mcarline@hotmail.com
The Moose Jaw Stamp Club will not be meeting this summer and will resume meetings in September.
Moose Jaw Town N Country Square Dance Assoc. Winter 2024 Program on Monday nights from 7-9pm at St. Mary’s School, 720 –5th Ave. SW. Dance in a square with family and friends. For information contact Valerie Wright at 306.691.0579. Beginners, singles or doubles welcome!
Nature Moose Jaw will hold their meetings on a once-a-month status to take place on the third Friday of each month
Church of Our Lady Bingo takes place at the Church of Our Lady Community Centre, 566 Vaughan Street on Tuesday evenings. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m. Are you struggling with addictions? Do you know someone who is? Or do you want to learn more about overcoming addiction to help others? Pastor Cory Havanka and his wife Brenda will be offering an in-person, small-group, course that will explore how to overcome addiction that is based on Biblical foundations. For questions - Call or text Cory at 306-684-1464 or email firmfoundationministries.inc@gmail. com Firm Foundation Ministries provides other services as well: -Bible study - Monday evenings at 630 p.m/Prayer meetings - Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m/Pastoral counselling. Check Facebook or Instagram for updates on services, events, bible study notes and words from the Lord.
Nar-Anon Meetings every Monday 7—8pm (Moose Jaw Nar-Anon Family Group) is a twelve-step program for relatives and friends affected by someone else’s drug use and is in-person at Moose Jaw Alliance Church, 14 Neslia Place. Come in Main Doors – Meeting Rm 103. Your anonymity and what you say at meetings will be carefully guarded.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Weight Loss Support Group Meets at the Cosmo Senior Citizen’s Centre, 235 – 3rd Ave. N.E. The group meets every Wednesday morning. Weigh ins are 8-8:45 am. Meeting to follow. . scale weighs up to 350 pounds. Join for friendship and support on your weight loss journey. For more information go to www.tops.org
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) offers meetings every Wednesday evening too in the Alliance Church located at the corner of 9th Ave
NE and Thatcher Dr. Use the West side entrance and you’ll find us down the hall in room 107. Weigh ins are 6:30-7 followed by a half hour meeting. Scale weighs up to 500lbs. Join us as we support each other on our weight loss journeys. Visit www.tops.org for more information.
Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL), 461 Langdon Cres. Phone 306.692.2787. Visit their website at https://www.moosejawlibrary.ca or visit ASK@MOOSEJAWLIBRARY.CA. Some library programs require registration by calling 306-692-8210 or emailing nsetter@moosejawlibrary.ca
The Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 59 Moose Jaw is making it’s move to their new location – 693 Fairford Street W. Please call to see when opening day is. Contact: 306692-5453. Facebook @ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION-Branch 59 Moose Jaw Instagram: @ Royalcanadianlegion59
Moose Jaw and District Seniors: For more information Call: 306-694-4223 or Email: Email: mjsenior@shaw.ca The centre is now open Mon-Thurs 8am – 8pm. For more information Call: 306-694-4223 or Email: mjsenior@ shaw.ca
The centre is now open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8am – 8pm.
Fitness Level & Indoor Walking Track open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday’s 8am4pm
Wood working area – Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Timothy Eaton Cafe open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cinnamon Buns are on Thursday’s. Tuesday is pie day. Kitchen is open Monday to Friday. Everyone is welcomed.
Billiards open daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. as well as Monday & Thursday evenings from 4:30 – 8 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:30am-Jam Session/1pmPickleball/7pm-Friendship Bridge/7pm-Beginners Only Pickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 11:30am Wednesday: 8:30am-TOPS/8:30amPickleball/1pm-Floor Shuffleboard/ Indoor Walking - 11:30am/Art Drop In - 1:00pm/Pickleball 3:45pm and Beginner Pickleball 7:00pm Thursday: 10am-Line Dance/1pm-Pickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 12:00pm/ Hand/ Foot Canasta - 1:30pm/Beginner Pickleball3:15pm and Advanced Pickleball - 6:30pm Friday: 9:00am-Beginner Pickleball/1pmRegular Pickleball/ Indoor Walking - 8:15am and 11:30am Saturday: Advanced Pickleball - 9:30am and Pickleball - 1:00pm Moose Jaw ANAVETS: Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit #252 – 279 High St. W, Moose Jaw. 306.692.4412 or anaf252@ sasktel.net
Monday/Tuesday – Open 12 to 7 pm
Wednesday – 12 – 6 pm 10 card Crib and Smear
Thursday – 12 – 7 pm Regular Crib and Smear Friday – 1 - 10 pm Pool and Darts (7 pm) Saturday – 1 – 7pm Meat Draw at 4:30 pm, 50/50 and gift cards. Everyone welcome. FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES #3395
EVERY THURSDAY: Ladies Auxiliary “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 5:30 pm, draws start at 6:00 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, “Chase the Ace”
EVERY SUNDAY: Aerie “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 2:30 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, Mystery Draw, “Chase the Ace”
MONDAY THRU SATURDAY – DROP IN POOL – 1:00 pm to 1:30 start time. Singles and Doubles. Partners draw from those attending to play.
FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY – Aerie meeting – 11:30 am
FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY – Ladies Auxiliary meeting - 7:00 pm Western Development Museum; 50 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw. For more information, visit the museum’s website at WDM.ca/MooseJaw. Call 306-693-5989 or email ajones@ wdm.ca
324 Main Street N. Moose Jaw, SK
Derek McRitchie REALTOR® (306) 631-1161
E.G. (Bub) Hill REALTOR® (306) 631-9966
Tanya Minchin REALTOR® (306) 630-6231
Cassie Nichol REALTOR® (306) 631-0691
Justin Hammer REALTOR® (306)684-4266
pantry, kitchen, living room, NEW carpet., balcony with view of the golf course, full bath, maintained by a management company, 1 electrified parking stall. Condo fees are $367.36/mo and include: Common Area Maintenance, External Building Maintenance, Garbage, Heat, Lawncare,
New memorial options offer comfort and choice for grieving families
Families coping with the loss of a loved one often find themselves wondering what to do with cremated remains, and a Moose Jaw funeral home is offering an answer that blends compassion with innovation.
W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home has become the first and only provider in Saskatchewan to partner with Parting Stone, a Santa Fe, N.M.-based company that transforms ashes into solidified stones. The unique service is part of a growing movement toward more personal memorial experiences. For families who aren’t sure what to do with an urn, this option offers something different — a collection of smooth, touchable stones that can be held, displayed, or shared among family members. Each stone is unique in size, shape, and colour, resembling a natural river rock.
“Families today are looking for something more personal,” said Dayna Chamberlain, general manager of W.J. Jones & Son. “We want to make sure we’re offering them memorial options that are meaningful, lasting, and reflect the individuality of their loved ones.”
With more than 20 years in the funeral profession, Chamberlain said she has witnessed firsthand how quickly traditions are shifting. The days of families feeling limited to cemeteries or urns are giving way to a broad range of options, tailored to differing needs and values.
“There’s already been growing in-
pressing ashes into a playable vinyl record with custom audio, creating a labgrown, wearable diamond, or crafting a stunning glass keepsake. Other memorials range from incorporating remains into eco-safe reef habitats, to launching them into a farewell fireworks display, or even sending a portion of ashes into space for an otherworldly farewell.
While these may sound unconventional, Chamberlain said they reflect an essential truth about grief — that no two families experience it in the same way.
of stones in a pocket or garden. For others, it may be through a one-of-a-kind keepsake that captures their loved one’s individuality.
What all these choices have in common is an effort to make the most of a difficult moment. Instead of a single prescribed way of saying goodbye, families are invited to create lasting memorials that fit their values, honour their loved one’s personality, and provide comfort in daily life.
terest in Parting Stone, especially from those who feel uncertain about what to do with ashes after cremation,” she explained. “We’re currently anticipating the return of one of our beloved community members in stone form. It’s a deeply touching tribute — one that families can display, share, or carry with them. There’s something comforting about being able to hold that memory in your hands.”
The service is part of a larger cultural shift, as many families across Canada explore creative or environmentally conscious ways of honouring loved ones. Beyond stones, options include
“We’ve been part of this community for generations,” she said. “While we honour tradition, we also recognize that (the expression of) grief and remembrance are changing. Our role is to listen, adapt, and offer options that help people feel truly connected to their loved ones.”
For some, that connection may come through something tactile and simple, such as keeping a small collection
From traditional services to cuttingedge memorials, W.J. Jones & Son continues to blend compassion with innovation, ensuring families have choices that truly resonate with their unique preferences.
For more information, contact Dayna Chamberlain at 306-693-4644 or by email at Dayna@JonesParkview.com. W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home is located at 474 Hochelaga Street West.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Samples of new memorial options offered at W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home include Parting Stones — smooth, touchable stones created from cremated remains — and a handcrafted glass orb, both providing families with unique ways to honour and remember their loved ones. Photo by: Aaron Walker
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