ESTEVAN — The past year brought ups and downs for Estevan, with major projects progressing and topics that affect everyone continuing to be discussed. The community has seen a return of major events, the start of new activities and big sports competitions.
The Estevan Mercury's Year in Review will walk you through all major southeast happening of 2023.
March:
March entertained the community with a blizzard, which created near-zero visibility in Estevan, but also created many great memories through different events and activities in the community.
After three years of a break, the Battle of the Books, organized by the Estevan Area Literacy Group, made its return with the first round held at Pleasantdale School on March 1, followed by the second at Spruce Ridge School on March 9.
The ECS Elecs' senior girls basketball team hosted its 12th annual Victor Elias Memorial Shoot for a Cure pink tournament March 3 and 4, raising money for Teigha Lesy, a Grade 11 student at ECS diagnosed with cancer.
The Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Techhub in Estevan announced a partnership for the creation of Estevan Robotics and also introduced the Estevan Drone Racing Club.
MIT's Dr. Eric Grimson returned home to Estevan on March 2 to open the Innovation Conversation series.
Grade 12 ECS student Conner Piche earned a prestigious honour, the Chancellor's Scholarship, worth $30,000, from the University of Saskatchewan.
The Estevan Fire Rescue Service celebrated the dedication of its members at the annual awards night on March 4.
Joseph Lee Dzuba pled guilty for one count each of driving while prohibited and operating a conveyance while the ability to do so was impaired by alcohol or a drug, or by a combination of both, after a vehicle-pedestrian collision south of the city in 2022.
The City of Estevan started looking into further options for wastewater due to the murky future of SaskPower's Shand Power Station. Open houses were held on March 6-7 to discuss the issue. Council then approved a pilot project that will test out subsurface wetlands for the water treatment process.
A blizzard paralyzed the southeast on March 11, but a joint effort to clear the snow eased the situation.
The Estevan Bearcats 2 became the champions of the U11 A age group in the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League (SFHL), after defeating Kindersley's Western Prairie Klippers 3-1 on March 12 in the league final in Weyburn.
The 2023 Big Six Hockey League final was a battle of Highway 8 rivals. For the second time in their franchise history, the Redvers Rockets won the championship, defeating the Moosomin Rangers.
The Estevan Bruins lost in the first round of the SJHL playoffs against the Flin Flon Bombers, falling 2-1 in overtime in the seventh and deciding game.
Dr. Allison Christie announced her retirement after 40 years working in Estevan.
An expansion in the number of post-treatment beds for the addiction recovery centre at St. Joseph's Hospital was announced in March.
The Estevan Ironside Energy U11 AA Bruins wrapped up their season by hosting and finishing second at the Â鶹´«Ã½AV East Minor Hockey League's (SEMHL) ournament.
The Estevan Figure Skating Club hosted its year-end carnival for the first time since 2018. Club members entertained the crowd March 19 at Affinity Place with solos, duets and group performances.
Lampman School won the provincial mixed curling title in Hanley mid-March.
The ECS cheerleaders came home with a silver medal from the provincial cheerleading championships in Regina.
The Dr. Brown annual fundraiser at the Oungre Memorial Regional Park on March 25 saw about 160 people attending, raising over $75,000 for pool and kitchen upgrades and general maintenance.
A lot of people stopped by the Wylie-Mitchell building on March 25 to check out the B&T Gun Show.
The Estevan Minor Hockey Association held its final tournament of the season on March 25-26, bringing U9 and U11 female teams to the Energy City.
The Estevan Sharks water polo club competed at the spring provincials in Saskatoon on March 25 and 26, which marked the last competition for the 2022-23.
The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) hosted the 63rd open bonspiel on March 24 and 25 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre. AC Power Contractors won the event.
About 30 people joined the Energy Dash and Splash – a polar bear swim preceded by an optional run or walk – at the Boundary Dam beach at the end of March.
The Stoughton Central School Bulldogs' senior boys' basketball team came home from the Hoopla provincial tournament in Prince Albert with a bronze medal in the 1A division.
The 59th Estevan and District Music Festival took place from March 20 and 30, showcasing the talents of many local youths.
The Brokenshires won Estevan's Farm Family of the Year Award. The family was presented with the prestigious honour in front of a large crowd at the Farmers' Appreciation Evening banquet at the Beefeater Plaza.
The Lampman Curling Club celebrated its 100th anniversary by hosting a major event, a 64-rink bonspiel, from March 29-April 2.
