Rotary Club makes a difference in the Weyburn community
Written and submitted
by Sharlene Stanley
The Weyburn Rotary Club has been a part of the community of Weyburn since the 1920’s.
The Weyburn Rotary Club, a chapter of Rotary International, was originally established as a “gentleman’s club” meeting for friendship and networking amongst business owners. In 1990, Bev Hanson and Connie Reiger were the first women to join Weyburn Rotary Club. Female members broadened the group’s focus
and contributed to its ambitious volunteer base.
The Weyburn Rotary Club meets twice a month at the Weyburn Royal Canadian Legion. The first meeting of the month is always held on the first Thursday at noon. This meeting is mostly business and reviewing international movements. The club also meets on the third Thursday at 7 p.m. with a social event featuring a presenter and snacks with the meeting being open to the public. This is a showcase displaying the many talents
of local business owners and artisans. Watch for posters and Facebook posts for upcoming presentations. The next public meeting will feature the Souris Sharpshooters Photography Club on Thursday, February 19 at 7 p.m. at the Legion.
The Weyburn Rotary Club has a reputation of supporting multiple other Weyburn non-profit organizations. Some examples of these recipients are Weyburn Group Home Society, Canadian Mental Health Association, and Weyburn
School divisions receive grants
The Government of Saskatchewan is awarding 53 grants to support suicide prevention initiatives across the province as part of Pillars for Life: The Saskatchewan Suicide Prevention Plan. Funding totals close to $480,000, with each successful applicant receiving up to $10,000.
In Weyburn and area, the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division will receive $10,000 and the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division will receive $10,000.
Released in 2020, Pillars for Life serves as a guide for government and partners to improve and expand suicide prevention efforts in the province. In addition to the Suicide Prevention Grant Program, several key provincial suicide prevention initiatives include:
• Funding the community-led Roots of Hope Suicide Prevention initiative in five northern Saskatchewan communities;
• Funding a provincial rapid access suicide loss support program through Family Service Saskatchewan, which supports the immediate psychological needs of families and friends of people who have died by suicide or survived with significant injury or trauma;
• Support of a family engagement group to gather feedback from families who
have experienced suicide loss;
• Support for suicide prevention public awareness campaigns to inform individuals that help is available for people thinking of, or affected by, suicide; and
• Promotion of the na-
tional Suicide Crisis Helpline, 988.
This year, Saskatchewan is investing a record $624 million in mental health and addictions, which includes $2.25 million specifically for suicide prevention initiatives.
Communithon; there are many more!
The Rotarians recently surpassed their goal of donating $50,000 to the new Weyburn General Hospital by reaching a total of $64,000 donated. Eager to help a new charity, the Rotary club recently gave financial assistance for start-up and continuing expenses to Weyburn4Warmth (a new organization that creates items of warmth from donated yarn and fabric, who then distribute them back to those in need in the community).
The Weyburn Rotary Club also gives back on a scheduled basis. This club regularly assists the Salvation Army with their “Community Needs” program. In December, gifts aimed at teenage recipients, were purchased and donated for the Salvation Army “Christmas Store.” The Family Place benefits twice a month from the Rotary club donating
fresh fruits and vegetables that are then distributed to families to assist with good nutrition.
Twice a year, Rotarians purchase and donate personal hygiene items to the Weyburn Comprehensive School. These items are distributed by school staff to students as needed. One Rotary member organizes drivers for delivering Meals on Wheels. Although this is not an official Rotary program, many Rotarians volunteer.
Rotarians respect and honor past members. A photo tribute to Greg Nikkel, Editor of the Weyburn Review and Weyburn This Week, is being planned for display in Whitecap Resources Centre lobby. Look for it soon! Rotarians keep connected with past members by visiting those no longer able to attend meetings. Lifelong friends are created through this club.
The Weyburn Rotary Club contributes to the per-
forming arts community by sponsoring both the Weyburn Rotary Music Festival (March 9-19) and the Festival of Carols, both held annually. The Rotarians also take time to appreciate local artists by viewing the James Weir People’s Choice competition now at display the Weyburn Art Gallery. The members are scheduled to tour the exhibition later this month.
The community of Weyburn benefits from the charitable work done by the Weyburn Rotary Club and the members benefit from the comradery and volunteer opportunities. The Weyburn Rotary Club is always looking for new members. If you are interested or want more information about becoming a member, please contact Heather Sidloski, President, 306861-2837. Follow them on FaceBook (Rotary Club of Weyburn) for regular news and upcoming events!
for Grades 2 to 6 at
Mira, Kennedy and Ayana knitted white yarn into larger loops during a lunch hour program
Assiniboia Park Elementary School.
COMMUNITY
The Weyburn Fire Department welcomed Jason Smith, left, as temporary Deputy Fire Chief, stepping in to support the department while Mike Wock serves as acting Fire Chief. Smith has a background that includes four years in the Navy, Fire and emergency Medical technician training at Texas A&M, and 30 years of fire service across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia.
A number of games were held at the Wheatland Senior Centre recently.
During the Cribbage Tournament on January 10, there were 11 tables in play, with three new faces. Mildred and Erskine Sandiford came in first place, Rodney Callan and Larry Szczecinski took second place, and David Marcotte and Bernice Frederick finished third. The next cribbage tournament will held on February 14. Bring your valentine for an afternoon of fun.
In Spades on January 12, Marge Schultz placed first, Kim Bent won second and Fay Johnson finished third.
During Trump Whist on January 12, Elaine Frasz and Jeanne Molnar took first, Ruth Boren and Willa Mae Donald placed second
and Marge Schultz and Fay Johnson finished third.
In Kaiser on January 13, Jean Fahlman and Heather Carter came in first, followed by Fay Johnson and Marge Schultz in second and Jeanne Molnar and Elaine Frasz finished third.
Duing Canasta on January 14, Cris Herlick won first, Sheila Wendel placed second, Gerry Thompson took third, Shirley Cherpin won fourth, Elaine Fransz placed fifth and Coral Schindel followed in sixth place.
In Hi-Low Whist on January 14, Fay Johnson and Marg Schultz placed first, Gladys Lokken and Sharon Eggum came in second and Ruth Boren and Willa Mae Donald tied with Janet van Winkoop and Emily Zyla for third.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn This Week
EDITORIAL
FAST-TRACKED RECLAMATION PROJECTS CAN TRANSFORM WASTE INTO WEALTH
Submitted by Apoorv Sinha
Do you know where the copper in your microwave came from? Or the rare earth elements that make your TV or laptop screen capable of high definition? Chances are, they travelled thousands of kilometres, extracted from remote mines in countries with fragile supply chains.
Meanwhile, millions of tonnes of critical minerals lie dormant in Canada’s own backyard – locked in mine tailings, coal ash and industrial residues.
With Prime Minister Carney’s recently tabled budget and announcements of major projects, Canada has declared its ambition to become a critical mineral superpower. The federal strategy rightly points to our geological abundance. But the reality is stark: most domestic deposits are remote, expensive to access and years away from production.
Canada is decades behind building the infrastructure we need to unlock our growth in this sector. We also consistently miss economic targets, climate commitments and struggle with volatile unemployment – especially for our youth. We need solutions that deliver impact on all three fronts now – not in 15 years.
One answer is hiding in plain sight: industrial waste streams.
Across Canada, legacy mining sites and coal plants hold billions of dollars’ worth of rare earth elements (REEs), nickel, cobalt and other critical metals. These resources are co-located at existing industrial hubs, meaning they can be tapped without
long-drawn permitting processes.
Most importantly, recovering these minerals can go hand-in-hand with environmental remediation, turning liabilities into assets, helping local communities restore and reinvent themselves.
This is not a pipe dream. Canadian innovators are already proving it works. Calgary’s Carbon Upcycling Technologies, as one example, has developed an Advanced Mineral Recovery (AMR) process that can extract up to 75 per cent of critical metals and 50-80 per cent of REEs from waste streams.
The residual material? It doesn’t need to go back to landfills – it can be transformed instead into lowcarbon building materials, reducing emissions in one of the world’s most important heavy industries.
Circularity in action, this process can enable building local infrastructure in Canada’s most remote communities.
Global momentum is clear. Countries like Australia, South Korea, Japan and the United States are accelerating investments in critical mineral extraction and processing. Australia has committed billions to rare earth projects, while the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act is catalyzing domestic supply chains for EV batteries.
Korea and Japan have gone further – creating long-term market signals through structured incentives for hydrogen and clean fuels, paired with ramp-down timelines similar to carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCUS) investment tax credits (ITCs).
urgency and conviction for private capital to deploy at scale.
Canada needs a similar approach: clear, timebound incentives that reward early movers and taper over time, signalling that the window for advantage is now.
Canada has always been a nation defined by its natural resources – forests, oil, minerals –often exported as raw materials to fuel prosperity elsewhere. Fur trade between the 1600s and 1800s formed the economic foundation of early Canada, centred on beaver pelts used in European hatmaking, while the discovery of gold and silver in the 1850s, and subsequently, uranium, nickel and other base metals, shaped Canada’s economy for much of its history.
Onshoring critical mineral production through circular, fast-tracked projects like waste reclamation offers a chance to rewrite that story.
We have an opportunity to evolve from a resource exporter to a technology-driven economy, launching another generation of productivity and wealth while meeting climate commitments.
The question is simple: Does Canada keep exporting raw resources, or build the next economy from yesterday’s waste? If we get this right, Canada won’t just kickstart the future economy, build productivity and growth for its citizens, but also lead the world in building a circular economy powered by innovation, not just extraction.
Apoorv Sinha is the founder and CEO of Carbon Upcycling Technologies (CUT), based in Calgary.
Graduate and post-graduate students now have access to $80,000 in scholarship funding to support their studies and research. The Government of Saskatchewan is increasing the number of Lieutenant Governor Scholarships, expanding support for Saskatchewan students.
Each year, two Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Scholarships and two Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Indigenous Scholarships will be awarded, valued at $20,000 each.
“I am grateful to the Government of Saskatchewan for increasing this valuable support, which enables students to focus on their research,” said Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre. “Scholarship recipients are researching diverse subjects and this research has the potential to improve the quality
of life for people in Saskatchewan and around the world!”
These scholarships are awarded annually based on academic excellence in any field of study. The addition of two new awards will support more applicants and create dedicated opportunities for students at both of the province’s universities.
“Doubling these scholarships enables more Saskatchewan students to pursue research opportunities right here in the province,” said Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff. “This increase reflects our ongoing commitment to developing top talent at home while supporting students in their efforts to strengthen our communities.”
Nearly $1 million has been awarded through 63 scholarships to date.
RM of Griffin weighs permit for Enbridge’s Seven Stars project
Sara Parks SaskToday.ca
Enbridge is urging residents and officials in the RM of Griffin to weigh the long-term economic and community benefits of its proposed Seven Stars Energy Project as the municipality’s permit review continues.
In a statement issued following a public hearing at the RM of Griffin on January 8, the company said it appreciated the opportunity to present its perspective on the 200-megawatt wind project, calling the municipal review “the first step in a robust public process” involving all levels of government.
“As council considers Enbridge’s development permit application following the public hearing, we will continue to engage residents of the RM of Griffin - including those who may oppose the project – listening, answering queries in good faith, and addressing concerns as best we can,” said the company in its statement. “By fostering inclusive and fact-based discussions, the community can work together to shape a future that balances growth with the preservation of local values and priorities.”
Enbridge said an upcom-
ing comprehensive provincial environmental review will provide additional assurance that the Seven Stars project will be developed “responsibly and aligned with community priorities and standards.”
According to the company, community feedback over the past 18 months has shaped several revisions to the proposal, including a 1,500-metre setback between turbines and residences. Enbridge said the increased distance, along with commitments to limit noise and shadow flicker to industry best practices, is intended to protect the “health, safety and welfare” of nearby residents.
A vocal opposition group has packed RM of Weyburn council chambers in previous months, voicing concerns.
Enbridge said while views on large energy projects like this will typically vary, the company has garnered strong support throughout the region – from property holders, business owners and their employees, as well as community groups and citizens have expressed support for the project.
“Enbridge recognizes the RM of Griffin’s role in balancing diverse perspectives of community mem-
bers,” said the company. “While it is important to acknowledge and respect differing opinions, we believe it is equally crucial to consider the long-term opportunities a project like Seven Stars can bring, including an estimated $100 million in local economic benefits over the expected 30-year life of the project.”
The RM of Griffin review follows the RM of Weyburn’s approval last month of its portion of the 200-megawatt wind project. That decision cleared the way for half of the project’s 46 turbines to be located within the RM of Weyburn.
Alex McNichol, director, Power Business Development Canada, called that approval “an important step” toward securing all the permits and regulatory approvals needed.
Next steps include the RM of Griffin’s permit process, a provincial environmental assessment, federal approvals, and a final investment decision by Enbridge.
If the project proceeds, construction will require an average workforce of 100 with labour spending of approximately $75 million, including $20 million to $40 million in local contracting opportunities.
A Guide to
Post-secondary education
Hands-on learning and paid co-ops power success in Sask. Polytech’s Electrical Engineering Technology program
Supportive instructors, paid co-op placements and practical training are features of Saskatchewan
Polytechnic’s Electrical Engineering Technology program helping students build skills and confi -
dence in a growing technical field.
“We engage in a variety of community outreach activities to attract students, including hands-on workshops and partnerships with local schools and organizations,” says Babith Varghese, Electrical Engineering Technology program head. “Workshops provide a basic introduction to the lab and equipment and can help make prospective students more comfortable with the learning environment.”
Students say they value Sask Polytech’s small classes, hands-on learning, approachable instructors and paid co-operative education work terms.
For Ella Kessler-Holderness, the decision to enrol was rooted in family. “My dad and stepdad are both engineers,” she says. “They taught me to love math and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
After a gap year working in reception at a vet clinic, she’s now thriving in her first semester.
“The labs are really interesting. It’s like a puzzle you put together,” she says.
That sense of support is echoed by Runhe Wang. She spent a year upgrading math and science through the Adult Education program at Sask Polytech’s Saskatoon campus before applying.
“I wanted something with strong technical skills and good long-term career opportunities,” she says. “The lab work is amazing. We build circuits, measure voltage and current and troubleshoot together.”
Like her classmates, Tamika Ehrmantraut loves the hands-on ap -
proach. “The labs teach me the most because I’m a hands-on learner. It’s rigorous but so worth it.”
Both Ehrmantraut and Abby Allen joined the program after a year of university. They were drawn to Sask Polytech for its smaller classes and easier access to instructors. “The big class sizes at university were off-putting and I could never reach out to my teachers,” says Ehrmantraut. “At Sask Polytech, the instructors know our names and are always around to answer questions.”
Allen agrees, “I enjoy how hands-on the program is. In the first week, we were in the lab building circuits. I’d absolutely recommend this program to anyone con -
sidering it.”
Varghese says that co-operative education is a major selling point of the program for all students. “During co-op, students have the opportunity to earn competitive wages, and after graduation, many secure well-paying positions.”
Kessler-Holderness says that co-op education sold her on the program: “Getting work experience while still studying is amazing and made me want to apply.”
When asked about advice for other students applying to the program, Kessler-Holderness says, “If you are interested in puzzles and putting stuff together, this program is for you.”
Learn more at saskpolytech.ca.
Photo provided by Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Post-secondary education A Guide to
Start Your Path at Medicine Hat College
Medicine Hat College (MHC) is more than a place to learn, it’s a community where you can build skills, confidence, and connections. Located in sunny Southeast Alberta, MHC offers a wide range of programs to help you prepare for the career you want.
Here, learning goes beyond the classroom. With hands-on experiences and supportive instructors, you’ll turn your goals into real opportunities. Whether you’re working toward a certificate, diploma, de-
gree, university transfer, or apprenticeship, MHC has a path that fits your future.
Business Programs: Turn Ambition into Action Through the School of Business, you gain real-world experience with projects, case studies, and mentorship from industry professionals. Programs include Business Administration diploma with majors in Accounting, Financial Services, Marketing, and Management, as well as specialty options like Sport & Event Marketing and Management and Service Dog & Canine
Management Studies. Arts, Science & Education: Where Creativity Thrives If creativity and innovation inspire you, the School of Arts, Science & Education offers programs such as the Bachelor of Applied Art & Design, Environmental Biology & Reclamation Technology, Kinesiology, and Sustainable Innovation. Education pathways include Early Childhood Education and a collaborative Bachelor of Education, with university transfer options available.
Health & Community Services: Making a Difference
The Yuill School of Health & Community Services prepares you for careers that change lives. With simulation labs, clinical placements, and small classes, you graduate ready to serve with confidence. Programs include Practical Nursing, Paramedic, Pharmacy Technician, Child & Youth Care Counselling, Addictions Counselling, and more.
Trades & Technology:
Building Futures
For those who prefer hands-on work or technical problem-solving, the School of Trades & Technology offers training in Automotive Service, Carpentry, Electrical, Welding, and other trades. Technology programs include Computer Aided Drafting & Design, Engineering Design and Architectural Technology, Information Technology, and Power
Engineering Technology. Support That Sets You Up for Success
From application to graduation, MHC strives to offer students exceptional services and a personalized approach that builds confidence and trust. Small class sizes mean more oneon-one instruction and stronger connections with faculty, ensuring you get the attention you need to succeed.
Academic advising and coaching, writing support, personal counselling, accessibility services, tutoring, and career services are all available to you. Plus, the fitness centre and Indigenous gathering space provide opportunities for health, wellness, and cultural growth.
Life in Medicine Hat
Live the ultimate college experience in a city that blends big-city amenities with small-town charm. Choose on-campus residence for independence,
convenience, and affordability - just steps from your classes and campus resources. Prefer more flexibility? Off-campus accommodations give you freedom while keeping you connected to the MHC community. Build friendships, join activities, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Beyond campus, explore Medicine Hat’s extensive trails, parks, and golf courses, or escape to Cypress Hills and the Canadian Badlands. Enjoy a vibrant arts scene, festivals, and unique local coffee shops, and retail stores, all in a welcoming, sunny community.
Start Your Journey Today Prospective students can book an advising appointment or campus tour online at www.mhc.ab.ca/advising, email info@mhc.ab. ca, or call 1-866-282-8394. Explore programs and apply today at www.mhc.ab.ca.
Photo provided by Medicine Hat College
SPORTS
Red Wings drop two games vs. Melville, Melfort
The Weyburn Red Wings dropped two weekend games, losing 6-2 against the Melville Millionaries and 3-2 to the Melfort Mustangs.
The Red Wings still have a three point lead for first place in the Bunge division of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. It will be a tight race for the next two weeks, as the Yorkton Terriers sit in second and the Estevan Bruins are just four points behind Weyburn in third.
Melville had home ice advantage for their 6-2 win on Friday night.
The Millionaires scored twice in the first period, the first was unassisted at 6:28 and the second was a powerplay goal.
The Mills added two more goals late in a penaltyfilled second period. Will Munro finally got Weyburn on the scoreboard with a late second period goal at 19:06, assisted by Luke Dekay and Callas Pierce.
Penalities were traded by both teams early in the third period. Lucas Schmid scored Weyburn’s second goal during a powerplay at 16:08, assisted by Josh Sale and Josh Karman. The Millionaires potted two empty netters to secure the win.
Joey Rocha was in net for the loss, stopping 23 out of 27 shots on net.
The Melfort Mustangs earned a 3-2 victory over the Red Wings on Saturday night.
The first period ended tied, after Munro scored a short-handed goal at the 5:21 mark, assisted by Jaxson Doyle and Simon Martin. The Mustangs scored a powerplay at the 18:11 mark.
Melfort scored the only goal in a penalty-filled second period. The Mustangs added to their lead with an early goal in the third period, at the 4:34 mark. Roan Burgess scored
a Weyburn goal at 15:06, assisted by Schmid, but tthat was as close as Weyburn got to tieing the game.
Rocha was in net for Weyburn, stopping 24 out of 27 shots.
Before the two losses, the Red Wings won 6-4 against the Humboldt Broncos on January 13 at the Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt.
In the first period, Sale opened the scoring at 9:58, assisted by Rylan Pearce and Karman. Luke Schraeder added another goal at the 13:30 mark, assisted by Rommelaere and Luke Dekay.
Humboldt fought back with a goal at the 2:23 mark in the second period. Molde responded 25 seconds later, assisted by Pierce and Bierd.
Another second period Broncos goal was scored at the 5:56 mark, with Weyburn scoring two minutes and 45 seconds later by Dion Schraeder, assisted by Karman and Pearce.
A powerplay goal by Schmid at 11:41 strengthened the Weyburn lead, assisted by Sale and Pearce.
The Broncos lit the lamp twice in the third period, the first at the 3:06 mark and the second at the 13:32 mark. The game remained close until Schmid scored an empty netter at 18:51 to seal the deal, with assists going to Molde and Karman.
Nate Stevens was in net for the win, stopping 27 out of 31 shots.
The Red Wings hosted Kindersley at Whitecap Resources Centre on Tuesday night.
Weyburn will face the Humboldt Broncos for games on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. With regular season action coming to an end, fans are encouraged to pack the rink to cheer on the first place Wings.
Weyburn’s own Brennen Jones and Team Knapp will represent Team Saskatchewan at the 2026 Montana’s Brier from February 27 to March 8 in St. John’s, Nfld. The team won the honour at the 2026 SaskTel Tankard held in Melville on January 9 to 11. Team Knapp includes skip Kelly Knapp, third Jones, second Dustin Kidby, lead Mat Ring, alternate Trent Knapp and coach Brian McCusker. They compete out of the Highland Curling Club in Regina.
Weyburn curler Brennen Jones helps Team Knapp win Tankard title
SaskToday.ca
Weyburn’s own Brennen Jones was part of Team Knapp’s success at the SaskTel Men’s Tankard provincial curling championship.
Team Knapp played Team Kleiter in the 1v2 game, Knapp taking a tight 6-5 extra ends win to advance straight to the finals, setting up a 2025 Tankard
Final rematch in the semifinal after Swift Current’s Team Laycock beat Team Hartung 11-1. Just like last year Team Kleiter got the best of Team Laycock with a 9-5 win, shaking hands after the ninth end as the defending champions earned a rematch with Team Knapp in the finals.
A back-and-forth final saw a tie early before Team
Knapp took a 2-1 lead into the fifth. After a scoreless end, Team Kleiter scored two in the sixth to go up 3-2, only to be answered by two from Knapp’s rink in the seventh for a 4-3 game headed into the final three ends.
Team Kleiter tied it 4-4 with the only point in the eighth, but that was the last score they would get
as Team Knapp collected two with the hammer in the ninth, before stealing three in the final end for the 9-4 final.
Team Knapp will now represent Saskatchewan at the Montana’s Brier in St. John’s, Nfld beginning February 27. Knapp previously represented the province at the national championship in 2023.
Beavers set to host annual sports dinner
The Weyburn Beavers are gearing up for a new season of ball in the Western Canadian Baseball League.
The Beavers will kick off the season with their home opener on Thursday, May 28 as they host the Saskatoon Berries at Tom Laing Park, and then will face the Berries again on Friday, May 29.
The Weyburn Beavers will host two well known Blue Jays affiliates for
their annual sports dinner on Friday, February 6, Jamie Campbell and Tyler Heineman.
Campbell is the host of Blue Jays Central and Heineman is a Toronto Blue Jays catcher and member of the 2025 American League Champions.
The dinner will be held at McKenna Hall, and is one of the major fundraisers for the ball club to
help with operations this season. Cocktails are set for 6:00 p.m. with supper slated for 7:00 p.m.
Individual tickets are $110 each, or $800 for a table of eight. There is also a V.I.P. table available for $1,000.
For tickets, call or email Garnet Hansen at 306-861-0560 or gthan -
sen11@gmail.com.
The Weyburn Beavers have started looking for volunteers and billet families again for the 2026 season. If you can help out in the beer/merchandise shack, ticket booth or other duties during the Beavers home games, go online to www.weyburnbeavers. com.
Weyburn Red Wings forward, Callas Pierce, won the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s SGEU MVP of the Month award for December.
Pierce made the most of every opportunity in December, emerging as the offensive catalyst for a Red Wings group that leaned heavily on his ability to produce in key moments.
The forward was con -
sistently dangerous off the rush and around the net, showing a scorer’s touch that helped the Bunge division leading Red Wings stay competitive through a condensed month. His blend of pace, confidence, and finishing ability stood out leaguewide. He recorded six goals and three assists for nin points in seven games during the month of December.
Photo Submitted
Estevan daycare seeks $2.8M expansion to cut growing wait list
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The Hillcrest Early Learning Centre (HELC) wants to expand to help reduce the lengthy wait list for childcare spaces in the city.
Representatives of the agency appeared before Estevan city council January 12 to explain the project and ask for support from the city. Jordan Kreutzer, the board’s personnel officer, told council the centre wants to grow from its current level of 55 children to 90. The forecasted cost $2,868,800.
In an interview with SaskToday, Kreutzer said the biggest expense would be three new Ultra-Spec modular buildings. The centre’s three existing modular structures would be retained.
“We’d have six modulars all connected, for the total of 7,600 square feet,” he said.
Kreutzer reported the centre has 237 children on its wait list, and he reminded council that Estevan’s total wait list is at 689, which keeps families from fully participating in the community’s workforce.
“Nowhere is this gap more apparent than the south of the tracks. Over 40 per cent of our population lives in this area, yet it remains a verified childcare desert,” said Kreutzer. “Parents are forced to commute across the tracks twice a day, increasing congestion and stress.”
The Hillcrest Early Learning Centre will trans-
form 4.38 acres of unusable land into what he called a “state of the art, 90-space, early learning campus” that Kreutzer believes would be the first institution of its kind for south Estevan.
It would become a 7,600-square foot facility using high-efficiency, modular technology to hedge against rising utility costs, and medical-grade air filtration to keep children and staff healthy.
“We are taking raw land and making it high-value, service property for the city,” said Kreutzer.
The centre has 15 staff members already and would only need two more to be fully staffed.
Kreutzer asked the city for what he called a “strategic debt partnership”, with a low-interest loan of $2.27 million and a 36-month principle deferral that covers the 14-month construction phase, and provides a 22-month operational runway.
“By paying interest only during this stabilization period, we maintain a critical liquidity buffer,” he said. “This ensures we are fiscally surplus secure as we transition 35 new children off the wait list, allowing us to hit our full revenue potential before principle repayments begin.”
Kreutzer also requested a permissive property tax exemption, allowing them to redirect $18,000 annually into a robust nutrition program for its 90 participants.
“This is a 14-month
shovel-ready project. It fulfills your strategic goals, supports our working families and creates a legacy for south Estevan,” he said.
Coun. Kirsten Walliser, who grew up in the Hillcrest area, described the subdivision as “a wonderful area of town” but admits it is under-serviced, so it’s nice to see a proposed project.
Kreutzer said the presentation went as well as could be expected. He expected a few more questions from council, as Coun. Dave Elliott asked about staffing and Mayor
Tony Sernick wanted to know how the loan would work, but Kreutzer found council to be receptive.
Without the city’s support, Kreutzer said the HELC would have to look into other funding sources, like bank loans and corporate support.
“We think the city is our best bet,” said Kreutzer.
The city has shown support for the new Pebbles to Rocks Childcare Centre.
“When the strategic plan came out, we saw that they were receptive to new childcare facilities, so we decided to move forward
with our business proposal to them,” he said.
People in the community have responded favourably to the expansion. He noted a Facebook post over the Christmas break asked if more childcare spaces were needed; it had the support of 92 per cent of respondents. Kingston Midstream and Tundra Oil and Gas have stepped forward with donations, and the day care was the Estevan recipient for the Southern Plains Co-op’s Fuel Good Day last September. The HELC has also approached the
provincial government for grants. He added the South East Cornerstone Public School Division has also been supportive. The request was referred to the city’s administrative team and the economic development board. Walliser suggested the tax mitigation could be extended to other childcare facilities, and she would like to get feedback from the economic development group on that front. Walliser also wants feedback from the administrative team on the capital loan request.
Upcoming film chronicles first baby born during Sask. air service flight
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
A new mini-documentary is exploring the story of the family involved with the first birth aboard a Saskatchewan Air Ambulance Service (SAAS) flight.
Airborne is currently in production. Director/ producer Myrna Petersen, director of photography Lucas Frison, location co-ordinator Karla Weber and location audio Kyle Parkinson have been working on the project, which has received support from an SK Arts Independent Artist Grant.
The SAAS was launched in 1946. Leon Julien Dubreuil was born during a flight on July 24, 1948.
A Regina film crew recently interviewed the mother, Marie Dubreuil, a 105-year-old woman who still lives in her Estevan home. Petersen noted she and Dubreuil are both originally from
Rose Valley, and the director/producer set out to tell the story about the day a CF-SAM air ambulance landed in the Rose Valley Sports Grounds to pick up a farm woman from the community’s hospital.
“My interest has always been in the fact that we have this baby born in 1948 – which was two years later [after the air ambulance was launched] – ... over Saskatchewan in an air ambulance,” said Petersen.
A press release notes Dubreuil, a francophone woman, was experiencing severe birthing complications and the three-person ambulance crew was commissioned to transport her to a Regina hospital. Shortly after the plane hit cruising speed, Dubreuil and the attending flight nurse quickly recognized that “a baby is coming”, the press release said.
Pilot Julien Audette turned the plane around and, like a stork, landed and delivered the newborn and mother to the Wadena Hospital. Born July 24, 1948, in Saskatchewan’s airwaves, the baby, Leon L. Julien Dubreuil, was given a middle name of Julien to honour the pilot.
“Growing up in the Rose Valley area, I knew the family and had heard Marie Dubreuil’s story of having the first baby born in a Saskatchewan Air Ambulance,” said Petersen. “Now in 2026, when SAAS is celebrating their 80th anniversary, I feel it is significant to recapture this historical event.
“We have the rare opportunity to interview the mother who, at the ripe old age of 105, is still communicating and actively creating her art. Having embroidered over 1,300 fabric blocks,
Marie Dubreuil’s daily schedule still includes her embroidery work. She is truly a hidden jewel in the Estevan community.”
Petersen wanted people to know about Dubreuil’s story and her embroidery work, which Petersen described as “beautiful”.
“She has actually embroidered a picture of the airplane that the baby was born in, so we will be using that for our promotions. It’s lovely handembroidered work. They always say that for people who continue doing their art, working with their hands, longevity is one of the main things that can happen.”
With the original CFSAM Air Ambulance on display at Moose Jaw’s Western Development Museum, the film crew also spent a day interviewing Leon Dubreuil in front of the plane. Petersen
noted Leon Dubreuil also lives in Estevan.
“By 1974, the plane had been traded to a company in Latah, Washington, and was headed for the scrap pile. The Saskatchewan Tourist Association wanted to return the plane to the province and acquired it for the Western Development Museum,” said Petersen.
Interviews with the Dubreuils went well, Petersen said. It helped that she knew the family through the Rose Valley connection.
She expects it will be a 10-12-minute short film that is expected to be finished this spring and premiered at a later date.
“We have a small crew and everybody seems to be having a lot of fun on it, and just the idea of being able to tell a story that is ... truly Saskatchewan, truly historical, and with the crew all coming from Saskatchewan, it’s really
a .... provincial-wide interest,” said Petersen. Petersen, who now resides in the Regina area, has been involved with publishing books, films and scripts for many years. She has operated Ideation Entertainment for more than 25 years.
“I love storytelling,” she said. “I think there are so many good Canadian, local stories that just get missed. While fiction is good, there are so many good, true stories that I believe they should be remembered, recorded and allowed to be read and seen. I love the visual part of filmmaking so that you can actually see what is going on, or recreate it, and it just seems like it is something to capture people’s imagination and eyes.”
Petersen is grateful SK Arts recognized the significance of this story and believed it should be shared with current and future generations.
Jordan Kreutzer and other members of the Hillcrest Early Learning Centre board were at the January 12 council meeting.
Photo by David Willberg/SaskToday.ca
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