Vol. 103 No. 20
MONDAY, MAY 14, 2012
Biggar, Saskatchewan
www.biggarindependent.ca
20 pages
$
1.25 tax included
Senior villas coming to Biggar The dream of a senior’s complex for Biggar is becoming a reality. Thanks to Biggar Town Council and their support for a senior citizen housing complex, Lots 11-20 Block 12 Plan D4770 the east part of which is now referred to as Third Avenue Park, will be the site of the new facility. The local committee in charge of securing backers, says there is only room for two more investors. Interested parties may contact Emil at 948-5626. B r i d g e R o a d Developments, as well as the local people involved in the project, believe the location is ideal. The committee says the park will remain a park, but the senior complex will enhance the space and allow seniors to make more use of the green space beside their new homes. The grounds around the villa will be kept grassed, treed and beautified with benches, gazebos and flower beds, they add. The
treed area of the existing park would be used by the seniors, their children and grandchildren. This piece of property is the only feasible area in this town for a senior complex. This space is w i t h i n e a s y wa l k i n g distance of the Post Office, grocery stores and coffee shops. Good exercise and fresh air are vital to good health. Seniors of Biggar and district are anxious not to leave their community and have to look for suitable housing in the city or other small communities. The committee believes it is a shame the area has not already provided such a facility so seniors can remain in this community near family and friends. This is clearly indicated with more than half of the spaces already reserved with deposits, they say. Keeping our seniors in town will be good for them and the entire community as a whole. Seniors in our community help us
by Kevin Brautigam
School Rodeo Association’s (SHSRA) Biggar stop is still being called a success. The May 4-6 rodeo
Mock accident highlights life’s precious nature . . . Biggar fire fighters, ambulance and RCMP, with a little help from Great Plains College LPN’s as the “victims”, staged a mock accident last Wednesday in the parking lot of Biggar Central School. The “accident”, a result of drinking and driving, was one of the demonstrations put on by a unique presentation, the PARTY Program (Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth). in attracting doctors and keeping a hospital. Family and friends that come to
visit residents will support many businesses in town.
brought over 150 competitors to Biggar, but suffered a cancelled Sunday performance because of the inclement
weather. Regardless, organizers were very pleased with the response and enthusiasm for the return of the classic cowboy/cowgirl test of skill to the Biggar Rec Valley. “It was amazing,” Monika Schultz said of the local support and the enthusiasm from competitors. “The trade show was awesome. . . The high school families were just incredible - I kept receiving phone call after phone call on Sunday, just saying ‘You have a beautiful valley’, ‘We just felt so welcomed’ - everything like that.” With that type of interest expressed by competitors and area locals, Schultz says it definitely warrants an event in 2013, and plans are currently in the works. With the full slate of rodeo events, the SHSRA
Grade 10 students from BCS, Landis and North West Central schools participated, listened to an injury survivor, met with trauma professionals at the fire hall, hospital, RCMP. A full day hosted by Heartland Health and Sun West School Division. Check biggarindependent. ca this Wednesday for video footage. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
The significant tax revenue will help provide services
to all citizens of town, the committee believes.
Rodeo weekend a success despite rain, cool temperatures of The Independent
The weather may not h av e c o o p e r a t e d , b u t the Saskatchewan High
A senior barrel racer powers her way around the final barrel, May 5 during the Biggar stop of the Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Association (SHSRA). The weather may have put the Sunday performance on hold, but organizers are very pleased with the response to rodeo once again hitting the Biggar Rev Valley arena. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
tour stop in Biggar also featured shooting events, hosted by the Biggar Gun Club, a ‘Buckaroos’ rodeo for the wee cowboys and c o w g i r l s, t r a d e s h o w, jackpot competition on Friday, and a social at Alley Katz Bowl for the junior and senior competitors. “Parents were saying that is was nice that they can have an event and social after without alcohol,” Schultz explained of some of the positive influences the rodeo brought to town. A lot of people had to work incredibly hard to get the Rec Valley ready for the event. With the rain, the arena floor needed some TLC in order to make things safe and fair for competitors. “The Town [of Biggar] donated time and sand, and then Silver Eagle E x c a v a t i n g, h e c a m e through for us, huge. Brian
Fick also donated sand and Trent Silvernagle, they saved the day. The RM of Biggar gravelled the road into the Rec Valley.” Without that support in some very putrid weather, the rodeo would have been a wet, muddy mess. With only Sunday cancelled, the rodeo was still able to put through a great show, giving many future rodeo stars a chance to compete. The support also ensures the long-term future of the Rec Valley, not only for rodeo, but other pursuits, Schultz added. “We are very pleased, and so incredibly thankful to the community who h e l p e d u s,” S ch u l t z concluded, adding that the volunteers - all too numerous to mention will be recognized at an upcoming cabaret that will also serve to raise money for the Rec Valley.