KAMSACK — A new bylaw enforcement officer and two beginning-of-summer community celebrations, and swimming pool rates were among items to concern Kamsack town council at its regular meetings on March 26 and April 7.
The regular meetings were held in addition to four budget meetings during the past few weeks.
“We’re about 95 per cent done with our budget discussions,” said Barry Hvidston, administrator, on April 9. “We hope to have it all finalized the week of April 21.”
Bylaw enforcement officer hired
Council ratified the hiring of Michael Thom as the bylaw enforcement officer, who began work on April 3.
A resident of Theodore, Thom had worked as the community’s bylaw enforcement officer for about three years beginning in 2019. Born and raised in Yorkton, Thom has also worked in security.
Two early summer celebrations
Recreation Manager Greg Podovinnikoff discussed the two community celebrations being planned at the beginning of summer. The first is the Kamsack fair, June 20, 21 and 22, and the second is the annual Canada Day celebration on July 1.
Canuck Amusements, which brought several rides and midway amusements to the community last year, will be returning to the Kamsack Sportsground with “rides for all ages.” It is expected the rides and other attractions will be set up in time for opening Friday evening. Also opening at about 6 p.m. will be a beer garden.
Parents and students with the Sadok Ukrainian Dancers will be inviting everyone to enjoy a pancake-and-sausage breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. As the midway amusements open, various vendors organized by Shelley Filipchuk will begin selling their wares, including crafts, home-based business products and other goodies. The mud bog show and competitions will begin in the afternoon, and music will be provided by Saddles and Steel.
On Saturday and again on Sunday, minor ball and slo-pitch games will be played as the amusement rides and concessions continue to entertain everyone.
Podovinnikoff told council that a highlight of the community’s Canada Day observance will be a parade that is to begin in the Broda Sportsplex parking lot and then wind its way through the community to the sportsgrounds, where a flag ceremony will be held.
“We’re still looking for a group to hold a pancake breakfast,” he said. The day will end with fireworks.
Council also asked Podovinnikoff to determine a site at the sportsground for a batting cage being proposed by the Kamsack Minor Ball Association.
It being rather late in the year to begin involvement with the Communities in Bloom competition, Mayor Beth Dix said that she, along with councillors Robyn Tataryn and Karen Tourangeau, have agreed to focus attention on the program for 2026.
Council authorized Curtis Roll to purchase the empty lot immediately south of his property on Main Street, which is the building that previously housed DC Electric, and consolidate the two properties. Council was told that Roll plans to create an outdoor patio on the property, which will be an extension of his food preparation business.
Council decided to replace its policy regarding no refunds at the Riverview Cemetery with a policy stating that if a family wishes to request a refund in writing for either an unused columbarium niche or plot within the cemetery, it will be granted with a 20 per cent cancellation fee.
Council learned that a study of public skating and shinny at the Broda Sportsplex during the winter indicated that an average of 180 persons a month had used the facility, which is an increase of the facility’s use over the previous year.
“The use has been steady,” Dix said. “This shows us that the facility is being used.”
Council received funding of $1,500 from SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) for the purchase of 12 new children’s car seats, Dix said, explaining that staff of the Family Resource Centre are being asked to distribute the seats to Kamsack families requiring them.
Kamsack Mayor Beth Dix with the new children’s car seats that the town recently received from funds provided by SGI. The car seats will be distributed by staff of the Family Resource Centre. | Photo by William Koreluik
Swimming pool rates increased
Council decided to increase the rates for use of the Kamsack Swimming Pool.
Children under three years of age, accompanied by a paying adult, are still able to use the pool at no charge, but the paying adult may make use of a 10-punch pass that will be implemented this year.
Last year, children aged three to six paid $4 for entry in the pool, while this year, they will be admitted for $5, or may use a 10-punch pass, which will cost $40. Children aged seven to 16 and seniors had been charged $6, while now they will be charged $7 per use, or may use the 10-punch pass that will cost $60.
Persons involved in adult aquasize and lane swim had been charged $7 per use, and this year they will be charged $8, or the 10-punch pass at $70.
A family, which is deemed to be two adults and two children, had been charged $20 plus $5 per additional child, and now they will be charged $25, and pool rentals, for birthdays, parties and other events, which had been set at $155 an hour, will be charged $160 an hour.
Season passes were increased by $5 for all categories, except the family rate, which was raised from $250 to $260. Children under three years, accompanied by an adult, are still free of charge, while children aged three to six years will pay $55; children from seven to 16 years, $95; seniors, $85; and adults, $115.
Rates for swimming lessons were also increased by $5 for both non-passholders and passholders, while private lesson rates remain the same as last year.
Similarly, rates for leadership lessons were increased by $5 for each category, including ranger, rookie and star, $135; bronze star, $135; bronze medallion, $165, and bronze cross, $165.
