southeastdistrict

For the village of Odessa, building a new hall was a monumental task, but thanks to dedicated volunteers and unwavering community support, the dream became a reality. Annette Gaetz, a local volunteer, shared the journey of building the new hall and the impact it has on the community.

“In 2018, a public meeting was held to discuss the future of our community hall. The old hall had served its purpose, but we needed an upgrade. Building and fundraising committees were set up, and everybody went to work.”

The old hall was demolished in March 2022, groundwork began in June 2022, forms for cement were set in August 2022, and construction began thereafter. The cost of the hall was over $1 million, with approximately 8,000 volunteer hours invested.

“The first event in the new hall was held on March 9, 2024. The new hall provides us with a place to gather, host community events, and bring people to our community to see what it has to offer.”

Annette emphasized that community support was essential. She explained that gaining widespread buy-in from residents was crucial because help was needed in many forms. Some community members contributed to the physical construction, while others supported fundraising efforts, event planning, and organizational tasks. She also stressed the importance of identifying the community’s specific needs and ensuring the building would serve those purposes.

The biggest challenge for the project was the COVID-19 pandemic. Annette explained that the building committee had established a budget, but as the pandemic unfolded, the financial plan was significantly impacted. Supply chain disruptions and inflation led to increased costs, forcing the team to make adjustments to keep the project on track.

Ultimately, the project’s success was driven by volunteers. Annette credited the incredible spirit of Odessa’s residents for making the new hall a reality. The community has long been known for its strong volunteer culture, and that dedication was on full display throughout the hall’s construction.

“This was a huge and rewarding undertaking for our small community.  The hall will provide a central place for residents from our community and surrounding communities to gather and celebrate those special events while continuing to be one of the hubs of our community.”

“This new hall will enhance our community and is imperative to its survival and growth.  We are looking forward to having a place to come together as family, friends and neighbours again.”

Odessa’s new hall stands as a testament to what a community can accomplish when it comes together with a shared vision and determination. It’s more than just a building—it’s a place where memories will be made for generations to come.

For more information on the features of the new hall check out: http://odessa.ca/community-hall/

Forever…in motion is a program open to anyone that is interested in helping older adults stay physically active. This is a fun and safe course meant for people of all fitness levels. Leaders can be of any age and from any background, no previous experience is required.

Barb Swallow’s journey as a Forever…in motion leader began with a spark of inspiration at the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan annual convention last May. She attended a session that left a lasting impression on her.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the routine they put us through and immediately thought that such a program would be ideal for our community of Maryfield,” Barb shared.

“I am a firm believer of the importance of staying “in motion”.  I believe staying in good shape puts you in better condition to meet the challenges of aging, both physically and mentally.”

Equipped with the knowledge and resources from the Forever…in motion leadership training, Barb has developed exercise routines for her local group using the provided manual. The training emphasized the importance of understanding participants’ medical conditions, ensuring safety and inclusivity.

“I have told participants to go over the questionnaire provided during the training and to share any medical issues that might impact their participation,” she explained. She encourages group members to listen to their bodies, use chairs for balance, and rest as needed. Barb’s thoughtful approach ensures everyone can participate comfortably and safely.

Barb leads a one-hour weekly session every Thursday morning in the waiting room of the local rink. The session consists of 45 minutes of exercise and 15 minutes for preparation and feedback. The program runs throughout the winter months from November to April, offering a consistent opportunity for older adults to stay active.

The sessions are designed for those aged 50 and over, but they are open to anyone interested. Participants contribute a toonie per session, with all proceeds supporting the rink. “Our goal is to improve our physical and mental well-being through regular exercise that focuses on cardio, strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility,” Barb explained.

For Barb, the most rewarding aspect of being a Forever…in motion leader is witnessing the joy and motivation among participants.

“They are very excited to have me lead them through weekly exercises,” she said. “Group exercises seem to be what they need to stay motivated. If I can organize this type of class and positively influence their commitment to get ‘in motion,’ then it’s an excellent use of my time.”

Barb encourages others to consider becoming a Forever…in motion leader. “If you have some time to volunteer and see a need in your community to help others incorporate regular exercise into their routine, I would encourage you to take the leadership training,” she said.

“With the training, the manual, and a desire to help others, you can be a positive influence on participants,” she emphasized. “It will be very rewarding.”

We can help you host a Forever…in motion training workshop in your community or area, contact cdc@southeastdistrict.ca. Municipalities are encouraged to partner together to host!

In small communities, growth and development often depend on the dedication and vision of key individuals. In Wolseley, a new position was created to take on these responsibilities, and Julia Schofer stepped into the role of Community Development Coordinator with passion and expertise.

Julia’s journey began as a summer student with the City of Melville’s Tourism division, where she developed a love for community events. After finishing high school, she pursued a Recreation and Community Development Diploma (now known as the Recreation and Tourism Management Diploma) at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Recreation Management and Business Administration Diploma from the University of Regina.

“As the Community Development Coordinator, I am responsible for fostering the growth and development of our community. My primary focus includes emergency management response, historical and cultural preservation, economic and business development, residential growth, tourism, and parks and recreation functions,” said Julia.

“This role is brand new and has been requested by the community for many years,” Julia shared. She noted that the Chief Administrative Officer was previously responsible for community services, but pressing issues often pushed these responsibilities to the side. Over time, community groups and residents expressed the need for a dedicated liaison for grant support, operational concerns, infrastructure requests, and more.

“The community kept pushing for more personnel to be added to municipal operations to support their needs, which also led to adding economic development, communications, and facility operations to my role,” Julia elaborated.

When asked about the impact this role has had on the community so far, Julia explained, “I believe the impact on the community has been great! Having a dedicated individual to focus on community services—parks, recreation, culture, heritage—has been welcomed by both residents and community groups.”

She pointed out that, just as infrastructure like roads and utilities are vital, community services are equally important for making a town a desirable place to live.

Julia brings prior experience from her time with the City of Yorkton, which has allowed her to hit the ground running in Wolseley. The most rewarding aspect of Julia’s job is the people of Wolseley. “Although I’ve only been in this role for just over three months, I’ve really grown to enjoy the people here. They’ve embraced me so quickly and are so appreciative of the work done so far,” she shared.

Julia’s passion and experience fuel her commitment to ensuring Wolseley thrives and grows for years to come.

Wolseley is one of many communities that participated in  South East District’s Recreation Board Development Program which led to many discussions around the hiring of a recreation position. Is your community interested in a Community Recreation Delivery review? Contact us at ed@southeastdistrict.ca!

Photo Credit: Julia Schofer, Community Development Coordinator

This year has been a landmark one for the Kronau Marvelous Museum & Creative Corner. The Museum completed an artist-in-residency featuring Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers from Ontario. Along with the artist-in-residency, the museum is rebranding to the Kronau Marvelous Museum & Creative Corner.

The Museum was very excited to work with Tracey-Mae to have both an outdoor installation and her work as their feature exhibition in the new gallery. Tracey-Mae has been undertaking a national project titled #HopeAndHealingCanada which addresses decolonization in the pursuit of reconciliation and works to build a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples through her installations.

Tracey-Mae primarily uses red yarn in her installations, which she weaves, crochets, or knits into intricate forms. She incorporates shades of yellow, orange, and purple, colours rich with symbolic meaning in Indigenous history. Each installation is carefully crafted to reflect the specific site where it is displayed.

“Tracey-Mae approached our museum in January 2023 about the possibility of bringing her work to our museum. She has created installations in public spaces across Canada including historical residential school sites, galleries, museums, and other public spaces,” said Rhonda Lamb, Treasurer, Board of Directors.

When asked how Tracey-Mae Chambers’ work engaged with the local community and culture, Rhonda shared, “We were thrilled with how visitors connected with Tracey-Mae’s installation. It’s a deeply reflective piece, encouraging people to think about the importance of recognizing this part of Canada’s history and their role in healing the past and moving forward. We saw many new visitors from outside the community and even incorporated the installation theme into one of our summer camps. We’re also excited to announce that the installation inspired us to create a new ‘Museum in a Suitcase,’ which will be available in 2025.”

Reflecting on the benefits and challenges of hosting the artist-in-residence program, and whether they plan to do it again in the future, Rhonda explained, “We weren’t sure how our community would respond to this installation—it’s more conceptual than the usual exhibitions you’d expect to find in a museum setting. Rather than supporting a story with artifacts from our collection, this exhibition was more like what you’d find in an art gallery. To help viewers learn more about the Métis people and their history, we also created supporting exhibits. Having outdoor pieces as part of the installation drew people inside to learn more and generated a lot of interest in our new building. Should a similar opportunity arise, our Board would be very interested.”

When asked about what motivated the decision to rebrand the museum and change its name to “Kronau Marvelous Museum & Creative Corner,” Rhonda explained, “Our Board began discussions regarding rebranding several years ago. We felt that it was important to have a name that better reflected what we do in our community and to remove the stigma of being a building full of ‘old stuff’. We wanted to communicate that we are vibrant, relevant, and a fun place to visit.”

Regarding how the new name reflects the museum’s mission or vision moving forward, Rhonda noted, “We have provided a wide range of programming over the years for all ages. Through telling stories about our community, area, and province, we encourage people to learn from the past, be inquisitive about the present and its relationship to history, and to develop culture in our area through ongoing exhibitions, our collection, and interactive programs year-round.”

As the Kronau Marvelous Museum & Creative Corner embarks on this exciting new chapter, they invite everyone to celebrate their official grand opening on September 22!

In the village of Maryfield, community is everything. That spirit of togetherness is perfectly embodied in the Raised Planter Project at Maryfield School—a grassroots initiative that has turned gardening into a full-circle of community involvement.

The project began in 2022 when Maryfield School received the Scott’s Canada Gro for Good School Edition Grant. This $1,000 Canada-wide grant allowed the school to purchase materials for three 6-foot raised planters, soil, and seeds. As Sarah Van Eaton, Maryfield’s Recreation Director, puts it, “For that, we are so grateful because it got this idea up and running and truly made it possible!”

But this project is far more than just a school garden; it’s a year-long community effort. The Grade 7-12 Practical Applied Arts Classes originally built the planters, and each spring, students, community volunteers, and Sarah herself plant them with a variety of vegetables.

Maryfield Recreation helps fund some of the seeds, and generous donations from community members fill in the rest. The students maintain the beds until the school year ends, at this point, a dedicated group of volunteers take over for the summer months. “We are lucky to have people in the community who see that the beds need water and they pop by to do it,” Sarah explains. “If some of the vegetables are ready through the summer, we encourage anyone to stop and grab a tomato!”

By fall, the project has come full circle. The students and teachers harvest the vegetables, and with the help of the School Community Council (SCC), they turn them into a delicious soup. Everyone in the school shares a soup and bun lunch that day at no cost!

The remaining soup is sold at the Maryfield Rink during winter events, and the proceeds go back into the community through various volunteer groups. As Sarah highlights, this not only gives back to the volunteers who keep the community running, but also provides a nutritious, home-grown meal for everyone to enjoy.

The success of the Raised Planter Project is a testament to what can be accomplished when a community comes together. “I am very grateful to the students and their efforts each year,” Sarah says, acknowledging the hard work of everyone involved, including a retired teacher, Janet Lemon, and other volunteers who help maintain the beds. “This project has been a huge success and with a small amount of funding each year for seeds or seedlings, it continues!”

For other communities considering a similar initiative, Sarah offers some encouragement: “I would encourage other communities to give this a try as it has been very successful in the Village of Maryfield!”

Photo Credit: Sarah Van Eaton, Maryfield’s Recreation Director

June 17th to 23rd is slated Recreation Professionals Week in Saskatchewan for the seventh consecutive year. In recognition of this occasion, we would like to take the opportunity to profile a Recreation Director from the southeast.

Nathaniel Carrington is the Recreation Director for the Town of Stoughton. He oversees the town’s four recreational areas that include a golf course, swimming pool, ice rink and curling rink. A new-ish transplant to the community, Nathaniel has been in his position for ten months.  His other key responsibilities include grant writing, programming, training employees, event planning, and networking.

When asked about what attracted him to this career path, Nathaniel said, “Before going to university I had no idea what I wanted to do. When I saw that Mount Royal University offered a Sports Recreation and Management degree, I was quite intrigued as I had never heard of anything like that before. After reading the program description, I learned that it was not just sports management but also community program development that played a massive part in the degree—something that I was and still am passionate about to this day.”

“Once I found this job after my graduation, I knew that this was my opportunity to do something great and have an impact on a community. Ever since then I have loved working in the town and have been able to apply my knowledge while also being able to learn new skills…”

When asked about the impact and benefits his position has had on the community, Nathaniel noted, “One of the benefits of working in such a small community is that you can closely listen to what the community needs to thrive. Because Stoughton is such a small town, you get to learn about everyone’s attitudes, behaviors, what they like and don’t like, and that helps me with program idea development and delivery. This summer, we aim to start a summer camp pilot program. There are a couple of other ideas that we plan on trying, but the camp is our main priority.”

Nathaniel Carrington finds the most enjoyable part of his job to be experimenting with new events and programming within the town. “Whenever I get to brainstorm, I always try to think of unique ideas that towns don’t have access to, to provide exciting experiences for all!”

We would like to extend a huge thanks to Nathaniel and all the recreation professionals in the province celebrating this week. Your dedication and efforts make our communities vibrant and enjoyable places to live. Thank you for all that you do!

Is your community considering developing a recreation position? Are your volunteers stressed and overloaded? Do you need some assistance and information to get you started? Look no further! Contact South East Sport, Culture & Recreation District for details on our “Hiring a Recreation Director” Workshop, delivered in partnership with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA).

South East District recently concluded its ART STARTS program which was aimed to encourage and strengthen intracommunity partnerships through arts programming, and we’re excited to share its successes!

At the core of our initiative was the empowerment of local leaders. Recreation leaders, arts enthusiasts, and various community groups were inspired to approach their local libraries to discuss potential arts programming. Libraries also took an active role, contacting these groups to foster collaboration. This approach ensured that arts programming remained accessible and vibrant within the community.

We had six (6) communities participate in the ART STARTS program: Alameda and Oxbow, Fillmore and Stoughton, and Carlyle and Arcola.

Libraries play a vital role in promoting arts access and cultural engagement across southeast communities by serving as essential communal hubs that bridge the gap between residents and local artists, offering the necessary space and resources for diverse arts programming.

“For many of our southeast communities, the library may be one of the only community gathering spaces left. We are able to provide access to materials and services that our communities may not be able to experience anywhere else,” Morgan Kelly, Community Services Manager, Southeast Regional Library.

Morgan continues “Our Regional Headquarters houses kits that contain tools for a specific arts practice, which can be booked by participating libraries and organizations based on the artist they’re working with. Currently, we have three types of kits: wool felting, linocut printmaking, and hand-built ceramics.”

When asked how this program differs from other Southeast Regional Library offerings, Morgan explained, “Typically, we’ve created kits that contain everything our staff may need to host a program, as we know that cost can sometimes be a barrier when planning arts and culture programs. With ART STARTS, however, we’re encouraging a partnership to help divide costs and the planning process so that all participants feel supported in hosting something that may be entirely outside of their comfort zone. ART STARTS differs from our other arts and culture-based kits in that it does require a professional artist to be present to host the programs.”

A significant achievement of the program was the collaboration between neighboring communities to maximize resources. For instance, two nearby communities could coordinate to book a professional artist, ensuring the artist received a full day’s pay while sharing the travel costs.

“Thanks to sharing costs of fueling mileage, we were each able to afford two different programs at each of our branches,” Megan Andersen, Branch Librarian, Oxbow Public Library.

“Ruth Langwieser of Estevan came to our library in February and March to do two different art classes with us. Ceramic owls and wool felting jellyfish with glow beads and LED lights.”

When asked if the ART STARTS at the Library Guide and supplemental materials were beneficial in bringing artists to the community, Danielle Steele, Recreation Director, Town of Carlyle responded, “The packages that South East District put together are amazing! We have minimal work on our end to organize. I’m able to use the contract templates and clearly communicate plans with each artist. The artists are great at knowing what is in the ART START kits and what they may need to bring along as extras. These programs have run so smooth and I’m really able to plan everything with a couple of quick emails.”

“The best part of this program is that it allowed us to fill a gap in our community programming. The two programs we have run so far are completely new to the community, and we have received nothing but positive feedback.”

Artist Rhonda Lamb was attracted to the program because she loves the idea of bringing culture through hands-on learning activities to people in rural communities who might not have access to try new arts and crafts.

“It is always so rewarding to teach and see students be so pleased with what they have created!  It allowed me to take my craft to new people and communities who were so excited to try it and hear about some of the different things you can do in felt.”

One positive takeaway she noted was that these hands-on arts and crafts activities give people a chance to try something new, sparking an interest in pursuing more creative activities.

As we look back on the program’s accomplishments, we are proud of the strengthened community ties and the enriched cultural landscape it has left behind. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this initiative a success!

 

South East District is celebrating Everyday Heroes in sport, culture, and recreation as part of the 2024 National Volunteer Week. In our call to communities, groups, and individuals to nominate their Everyday Heroes, we were fortunate to receive a nomination for Derek Soroka from the Town of Redvers!

Derek is a dedicated volunteer, actively involved in various community groups and initiatives as well as a Councillor. He generously contributes his time to organizations such as the Redvers & District Health Foundation, the Redvers Health Foundation Fundraising Committee, the Redvers Lions Club, Redvers Minor Hockey and plays a pivotal role in the South East Medical Group.

Derek is also deeply committed to his family and their multigenerational business, ERP Pro-Hardware, where he devotes his evenings and weekends to helping out whenever possible.

Nominated by Jena Cowan, Assistant C.A.O. for the Town of Redvers.

What makes the individual a volunteer Everyday Hero?

• As visible in the groups Derek is a member of, he is very invested in the well-being of our community. Not only does he serve as a Councillor for the Town of Redvers, but he also gives even more time to crucial organizations.
• The Redvers Lions Club is responsible for many large donations to projects in our community. They are the first to volunteer to participate in local events, sponsor every fundraising event that is held, and ensure our residents, and the residents of surrounding communities, are warm in the winter with a Clothing Drive and an annual Food Drive.
• The Redvers & District Health Foundation is responsible for keeping the Redvers Medical Centre open. Several funding cuts meant that our facility could no longer operate. The Foundation was formed, and our facility continues to operate through the generous donations of the surrounding communities. They throw an annual fundraising event, ensuring the facility has the support it needs.
• The South East Medical Group is a recently formed organization. Its purpose is to ensure our local health professionals are heard and involved in decision-making processes that affect themselves and their peers. The SEMG has taken on active recruiting, offering incentives for health professionals who agree to multi-year contracts. They also act as human resources for our health professionals in both Redvers and Carnduff. They facilitate the doctors working between the two facilities, so that both communities, and their rural municipalities, have reliable health care. There is also a committee dedicated to retaining health professionals, offering years of service awards and recognition.
• Redvers Minor Hockey—Derek was a parent volunteer to assist in the youngest age group, the U7s, where half of the enrolled children had not yet learned how to skate. The coaching staff required assistance in teaching the kids to skate while also improving their skills through skating drills. Even though he was not a coach, he was on the ice assisting at every practice for the duration of the five-month season.

Thank you, Derek, for your dedication and leadership as a volunteer in the community!

Centre 48 Arts and Education was established with a clear purpose in mind: to create vibrant rural communities that will have access to a wide range of arts, culture, fitness, and continuing education opportunities for all age groups. Centre 48 offers diverse activities that cater to the varied interests and needs of the community.

Natasha Romanow, Program Coordinator, provides insights into the purpose, outreach, and impact of Centre 48.

“Our classes normally take place in communities along Highway #1 from Indian Head to Grenfell and Highway 48 from Vibank to Kennedy.” This ensures that residents along these highways can participate in the programs without facing the challenge of long-distance travel.

Centre 48’s impact on the community is significant, as Natasha explains, “We are able to bring communities together by holding a variety of classes that are available to all ages and abilities, without having to travel far distances to participate in them.” By hiring local instructors and utilizing multiple facilities, Centre 48 ensures that its programs benefit everyone.

“We try to be present in as many communities as possible, to make classes available to everyone.” Centre 48 is always looking for new class ideas; community members will bring in new ideas, and from there, Natasha will then coordinate the instructors and facilities. The success of this approach isn’t possible without the flexibility and willingness of instructors to travel, ensuring a diverse and widespread program offering.

Some of the programs that Centre 48 offers include pickleball, moccasin and mitt making class, clay mug class, Christmas planter and centerpiece class, non-competitive dance class, rhythmic gymnastics class, violin, fiddle and ukulele lessons, CPR and babysitting courses, willow walking stick class, Lego and craft clubs, volleyball, track & field clinics, and many more.

This year’s lineup includes Zumba and salsa lessons in Candiac, yoga in Odessa, a babysitting course in Glenavon, CPR recertification in Montmartre, cake decorating in Kipling, music lessons in Indian Head, and many more to come throughout the year.

Visit www.centre48.com/current-programs to stay up to date on what’s happening in your community. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Photo Credit: Natasha Romanow, Program Coordinator