2026 Spring Training Symposium Event Brochure by Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association

2026 SPRING TRAINING SYMPOSIUM

21 Years of Training Excellence

Sun April 26

2026 Symposium Training at a Glance

April 27

April 29

Saskatchewan Parks Worker Course (limit 20) $725+taxes

Chainsaw Train the Trainer (limit 10) $1950+taxes

Mosquito & Biting Fly Applicator (limit 20)

$795+taxes

Building Maintenance Level #2 (limit 20) $375+taxes

Effective HR for Small Orgs & Nonprofits (limit 20)

$50+taxes

Advocacy for Small Orgs & Nonprofits (limit 20)

$50+taxes

Managing Safe Play Spaces (limit 20)

$300+taxes

Thurs April 30

Shelterbelts & Community Orchards (limit 20) $275+taxes

Tree Appraisal (limit 20) $ 275+taxes

Small Engine Repair (limit 10) $350 + tax

Energy Efficient Ice Rink Retrofits (limit 20)

$Free$ DEADLINE: APRIL 13

Arena Operator Level #2

Refrigeration (limit 20)

$725+taxes DEADLINE: APRIL 13

Deadline to register is noon on April 20, 2026.

SPRA reserves the right to cancel, add, or change courses.

Technology for the Parks & Recreation Industry (limit 20) $50.00+taxes

Networking and Connecting

Monday, April 27 – Meet & Greet Pizza Night sponsored by 1 Stop

Wednesday, April 29 – Bowling (5:30pm – 6:45pm)

Complimentary Lunches and Refreshment/Snack Breaks

Join us daily for a complimentary lunch and refreshment breaks. Another opportunity to network with your peers and learn from each other!

Testimonials

Here are a few things our registrants had to say about the 2025 Symposium:

• “Very detail in class followed up with hands on demonstration.”

• “Looking forward to putting what I learned into practice.”

• “I liked the tour and small community perspective.”

Accommodations

Canalta Hotel

Location: 2421 8th Ave

Phone: 1-888-831-1331

Website: www.canaltahotels.com

Email: canaltahumboldt@canalta.com

Rate: $159.00 per night + taxes

Reference: SPRA2026

Book by April 15 for discounted rates

Bella Vista Inn – Main Host Hotel

Location: 1815 8th Ave

Phone: 1-800-667-0790 or 1-306-682-2686

Website: http://www.bellavistainn.ca/

Email: info@bellavistainn.ca

Rate: $119.95 per night + taxes

Reference: SPRA2026

Book by April 15 for discounted rates

When booking rooms please quote, "Block of rooms for SPRA 2026” Symposium April 27 – April 30".

Session Descriptions

Saskatchewan Parks Worker Course

April 27 – April 30, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: Nathan Croes, Parkland to Prairie Forestry Services and Andrew Exelby, SPRA

Description:

Focused on the horticultural requirements for a successful park system, the Saskatchewan Parks Worker Course provides an overview of a typical parks system and its maintenance practices.

This SPRA developed course provides an in-depth review of soil health, plant biology, turf, pest and weed management, equipment maintenance, parks design, public relations and safety.

This course is speciﬁcally designed for SPRA Members, municipalities in Saskatchewan, and all park operators. If you are involved in the management or hands-on operation of a park or green space, this is the course for you! Successful completion of the course exam provides participants with a Certiﬁcate of Completion issued by SPRA. This is a four-day course that includes classroom learning and outdoor tours. Please dress appropriately.

Arena Operator Level #2 Refrigeration

April 26 – April 30, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm Sunday – Wednesday, AND 8:30am – 2:00pm on Thursday with the Provincial Refrigeration Operator Exam starting at 11:00 am)

Deadline to register: April 13, 2026, at 5:00 pm so participants can be registered with TSASK

Note: This course starts on Sunday, April 26 at the Bella Vista Inn.

Presenter: Bill Cote and Austin Gorski

Description:

This intensive ﬁve-day course will provide participants with an overview of modern industrial refrigeration systems and their safe operation.

Topics include:

• Thermodynamics

• Operation and Maintenance of Refrigeration Plants

• Refrigeration Components

• Equipment and Controls

• Refrigerants and Brines

Prior to taking this challenging course, participants should have a basic understanding of refrigeration systems and some mechanical aptitude. Participants will take the Provincial Refrigeration Operators Exam at the end of the course to become a Licensed Refrigeration Operator in the province.

Chainsaw Train the Trainer

April 27 – 29, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: David Kearns, Kearnsy Consulting & Educational Services

Description:

This Chainsaw Train the Trainer Program is designed specifically for Saskatchewan employers and inhouse trainers who are responsible for developing competent, confident chainsaw operators. This practical, instructor focused program helps trainers understand their responsibilities, deliver effective hands-on instruction, and maintain the documentation needed to demonstrate due diligence in employee training.

Because it is the employer’s responsibility to provide adequate and effective training, this program is built to help you strengthen your in-house training capacity with confidence. Through a competently led, structured approach, this course will support trainers in understanding what to teach, how to teach it, and how to properly document the process.

Participants receive comprehensive training materials, including our full Chainsaw Training Manual, along with the Train the Trainer course and written tests as proof of completion. While Saskatchewan does not have any government accredited or officially certified chainsaw trainer programs, this course provides the knowledge, structure, and tools employers need to deliver consistent, high quality inhouse training that meets their due diligence obligations.

Empower your team, strengthen your safety culture, and build reliable in-house training capacity with a program built for Saskatchewan workplaces.

Participants are required to provide proof of the attached prerequisite requirements following registration and before beginning the course.

Shelterbelts & Community Orchards

April 30, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: David Kearns, Kearnsy Consulting & Educational Services

Description:

Shelterbelts and Orchards are key features in communities and parks across Saskatchewan. This 1-day course will build an understanding of how best to design, plant and maintain both shelterbelts and fruit-bearing trees. This knowledge is key to the overall success of the shelterbelts and orchards that you may be planting or managing. You will explore both shelterbelt and orchard design, basic pruning, species selection, manicured vs naturalized shelterbelts as well as optimizing community orchard fruit production and tree health Everyone will benefit from the topics in this course regardless of their skill level.

Mosquito & Biting Fly Applicator

April 27 – 28, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: Carlton Trail College and Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Description:

In this 2-day course, you will study insecticide use for controlling mosquitoes and biting fly larvae and adults. This course is intended for employees and managers of cities and towns and other areas that are implementing a mosquito or biting fly control program. Successful completion of this course is required prior to applying for your provincial Pesticide Applicator License. You may apply for your license once you have proof of successful course results.

Tree Appraisal

April 30, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: Nathan Croes, Parkland to Prairie Forestry Services

Description:

In this 1-day course, you will learn about the process of appraising trees utilizing several different methods. Participants will obtain a basic knowledge of the factors, tools, and thought processes of tree appraisal and gain an understanding of the numerous benefits trees provide. Topics discussed will include:

• Types of Appraisal Approaches

• Depreciation Factors

• Mature Tree Appraisal

• Smaller Tree Appraisal

Understanding Tree Appraisal and the value of trees often assists with legal disputes, justifying budgets, property valuation, urban planning, Insurance claims and construction bonding. Participants should already have a basic understanding of tree species and health.

Participants should bring:

• Appropriate outdoor clothing/footwear for field tree measuring activity

• Clipboard for outdoor activity (forms will be provided)

• Flexible measuring tape/DBH tape for measuring tree diameter

• Calculator/cell phone calculator app

Managing Safe Play Spaces

April 29, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Registration will forward you to the Canadian Playground Safety Institute website. https://cpsionline.ca/resources/events/33151/

Presenter: Nathaniel Drew, Canadian Playground Safety Institute

Description:

Basic playground standards process, what causes injuries, how regular inspection and maintenance can reduce hazards, the importance of age-appropriate play, and the basics of risk management and record keeping.

Course Objective:

To understand the basics of inspecting and maintaining playground equipment, risk management, record keeping and the standard process in Canada.

What You Will Learn:

• The difference between the Canadian Playground Safety Institute (CPSI), which is the agency providing this training and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

• The "Fatal Four” playground hazards

• Age-appropriate play activities and labeling

• Risk management and record keeping

Who Should Take This Course:

Anyone who is required to manage a play space or multiple play spaces, maintenance staff for parks/public works staff, daycares, custodians, private contractors, owner/operators, superintendents (schools, apartment complexes and additional facilities with public play spaces).

Building Maintenance Level #2

April 27 – 28, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: Kameron Kiland

Description:

This course provides a detailed account of facility maintenance practices and practical advice. This course is designed to help operators and maintenance staff understand the workings of components within their facilities and know the terminology to deal with contractors. From there, the operators and maintenance staff can develop sound maintenance practices to improve the operation and useful life of the fixed assets in their facility. Proper planning and the implementation of preventative maintenance practices benefits your department and community.

Small Engine Repair

April 29 – 30, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: Carlton Trail College

Description:

This two-day course covers basic small engine repair for both 2 and 4 stroke engines. Theory and hands-on training are provided. Participants need to bring: Wrenches, screwdrivers, a 3/8” drive socket set, hammer, and punches. This course will be held indoors, in a shop setting at the Carlton Trail College Industrial Building at 1105-4th Avenue in Humboldt. Please dress appropriately.

Effective HR for Dealing with Small Boards & Non-profits

April 27, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: Wayne Hellquist – Future Quest Consulting

Description:

This full-day session will explore effective Human Relations in connection with small organizations and non-profits. Regardless of whether you work with councils, boards, volunteers, staff or stakeholders, having appropriate policies and practices helps to effectively manage any group. Human resources are vital to an organization’s success. This session will explore common pitfalls and how creating practical tools will help all your relationships be strong and supportive. Learn how to engage those you work with as well as ensure all groups are heading in the same direction.

Advocacy for Small Organizations & Non-profits

April 28, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Presenter: Cody Sharpe, PHD – Non-Profit Governance Solutions

Description:

Delivered as a one-day workshop, Advocacy for Non-Profits is intended for volunteers, board members, executive directors, and decision makers working for SPRA’s member organizations who are interested in influencing the decisions made by governments, funders, and other critical stakeholders. This interactive workshop will support participants in building the understanding they need to complete a straightforward advocacy campaign planning workbook developed by the session’s facilitator. Participants will have the option to have their draft workbooks reviewed by the facilitator at an optional follow-up session before the end of 2026.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe how policy is made using a stages model of policy creation and apply this model in deciding how to engage in advocacy

• Identify the range of advocacy strategies and tactics available to NPOs, articulate the resource requirements of each, and select a combination of strategy and tactics that best fits their organization’s context

• Conduct a critical stakeholder assessment that names their NPO’s most important stakeholders, defines why these stakeholders’ matter, and identify how they might be influenced; and,

• Create a project charter to organize their NPO’s advocacy campaign, clarify the specific individuals and resources required to make the effort a success, and draft an implementation plan that ensures the organization learns from its efforts

Energy Efficient Ice Rink Retrofits – Sponsored by CLIMATE READY INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE

April 29, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Registration will forward you to a link to register directly with Climate Ready Infrastructure Service

Deadline to register: April 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm

https://zfrmz.ca/QySIOw7rLcZteJNSNv61

Presenter: Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS)

Description:

Small and rural communities across Saskatchewan are grappling with aging arenas that are costly to operate and maintain. Drawing on real world examples in Saskatchewan, the session provides a practical, step-by-step overview of how to approach an ice rink retrofit from essential data gathering and facility assessments to identify energy efficiency opportunities and preparing for funding. Topics include heating and cooling systems, insulation upgrades, project scoping, and strategies to improve funding readiness. Attendees will gain actionable insights into what works in Saskatchewan communities, common challenges encountered, and how early technical support helped move projects forward more efficiently. Communities attending this session will receive a free site visit and energy reduction study of their arena, through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service, to support funding applications and decision-making.

Participants will learn:

• The key steps involved in planning an ice rink retrofit, including essential data collection, energy assessments, and defining project scope

• Common energy efficiency opportunities for rink and arena facilities, including heating, cooling, insulation, and solar PV opportunities

• How early technical and design support can reduce risk, improve decision-making, and control costs

• How communities can successfully position their projects for future funding from retrofit and energy programs

Technology for the Parks & Recreation Industry

April 30, 2026 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Facilitator: Clint McConnell, Recreation Consultant – SPRA

Description:

Technology is influencing the parks and recreation industry and its future direction. Our industry is seeing more examples of how technology is being implemented or introduced. Technology is indeed changing the way we do business. Technology and technological advances are reality and can’t be ignored. SPRA feels a session on this topic is an opportunity to inform, educate and train our members and industry about changes brought about by new technologies. This full day session will explore four examples of how technology is changing the way parks and recreation professionals are affected.

The morning portion will be a presentation from Husqvarna (automated mower), Quantum Recreation (drone technology), Turf Tank (automated lining machines), and Global Sport Resources (WM Mammoth ice resurfacer) plus an opportunity to discuss these and other technological changes. The afternoon will focus on a product demonstration and how these technologies are a real-time asset for your community. Learn firsthand how these products are leading the way in the introduction of technology into the parks and recreation industry.