The Energy City is preparing for the significant jump in visitors that is certain to happen this coming July. Preparing to host the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games will entail renovations and beautification work in the coming months.
“One of my motives is that I have to clean this city up,” said parks manager Rod March. “I think people will see a huge difference in the way things are done here. I’m getting new equipment and we’re going to take care of what we have.”
March said one important initiative is gopher removal from fields where events are slated to take place, like the ones near Estevan Comprehensive School, since that’s the first step to preparing the ground for use, this coming summer.
“Right now, we have a massive pile of gophers everywhere, so we have to get on those early,” said March. “We’re going to make sure they’re all taken care of, and that the fields are back to grass.”
Nicole Clow, Games manager with the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games committee said there will be a number of upgrades to various venues in the city.
“We’re going to rely on the city to make sure that facilities in Estevan are up to top shape and taken care of,” said Clow.
One area of focus is the tennis court behind the Leisure Centre. Clow said the court is going to be resurfaced, since there are cracks to be filled and the court isn’t as level as it should be.
“And then, of course, we’ll be painting the lines on that,” said Clow. “That will make it a bit more playable for the kids, and it’s the biggest project that we have yet to take care of.”
March said another priority is making the city greener for the coming convergence of guests and athletes, with flower gardens going up on local streets and in the medians between them. He noted there will be a great deal of landscaping work done in parks such as the Royal Heights Veterans’ Memorial Park and Churchill Park in anticipation of the Games.
“You’ll see the presence of more vegetation for sure,” said March. “I have a pretty big tree planting program that’s going to happen in May in at least two of the parks, replacing some of the dead trees.”
Clow encouraged businesses around the city to support the Games however they can, whether it’s a sign in the window or something as rudimentary as putting sponsorship stickers on display.
“We’ll be putting up a lot of directional signage with logos and stuff like that on it,” said Clow. “You’ll see those signs popping up once the snow melts, and it’ll kind of give the vibe that the Games are coming, and that there are multiple venues being used.”
Leisure services manager Nathan Jesse said Affinity Place will be converted to accommodate the opening and closing ceremonies and three basketball games.
“The pool will be converted and set up for a speed swimming event, as well. That’s kind of what’s going on with the Leisure Centre,” said Jesse. “Our facilities are fairly well set up, and we have all the equipment we need to set up for the Games.”
Clow said the Games committee is still looking for volunteers, and encouraged anyone interested to register on the Saskatchewan Games website.
“(Being a volunteer) is one of the main ways people can get involved. We hope to see the entire city do their best effort to get out there and be proud of the community,” said Clow. “Visitors will get an idea of what the best is that Estevan has to offer.”
