The past year was one of accomplishments, milestones and challenges, Mayor Roy Ludwig said during his annual address at Monday night’s city council meeting.
The mayor’s address traditionally kicks off the first city council meeting of the year.
Ludwig believes the success of so many events last year reflects the strength of the community. He noted that last year marked the 30th anniversary for the Souris Valley Theatre, the 25th anniversary for the Estevan Humane Society and the Envision Counselling and Support Centre, and the 20th anniversary of the Estevan Motor Speedway.
He added that Envision brought in retired NHL star Theoren Fleury for their celebration.
There were also many successful events. The city brought in George Canyon, Doc Walker and Charlie Major for a country music kitchen party show at Affinity Place in May, and The Offspring and SUM 41 in November.
The Orpheum Theatre brought in Michelle Wright and Toque for concerts.
“The Rafferty Rumble came back this summer and was a huge success,” said Ludwig, who noted the Rumble was a fundraiser for the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum.
The St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees and the United Way Estevan’s Telethon were once again successful fundraisers.
Ludwig noted he was pleased that the Forever in the Clouds monument, which honours the 21 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force killed at the former Estevan airport location in 1946, has found a permanent home at the current Estevan Regional Airport site. He praised Lester Hinzman and sculptor Darren Jones for their efforts.
He also congratulated Debby Knight and Peggy Rohatyn with Fresh Air Fitness on being named one of Saskatchewan’s leading free outdoor attractions.
Also, the new Honour Wall was completed at the Royal Heights Veterans’ Memorial Park, paying tribute to everyone from Estevan who served in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War, and a second Habitat for Humanity home for Estevan is virtually complete.
From a business perspective, the Deep Earth Energy Production Corp., which is led by former Estevan resident Kirsten Marcia, received $25 million for a geothermal project that is happening west of the city.
The city has also partnered with the Ocean Man First Nation and Saturn Power on a proposed 10-megawatt solar power facility. The city has not heard back from SaskPower regarding the project.
Ludwig also noted that Whitecap Resources is interested in obtaining more carbon dioxide that is sequestered through the carbon capture and storage facility at the Boundary Dam Power Station.
“We’re hoping that this can be worked into, down the road, Unit 6 and Shand Power Station,” said Ludwig.
As for city-related projects, Estevan hosted the city mayor’s conference, which had delegates from around the province.
“The main topic of discussion was gangs, drugs, the Cities Act and SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association),” said Ludwig.
The Estevan Police Service became the first municipal police force in the province to join the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network, and Ludwig said there have already been positive results.
Land development services manager Richard Neufeld has held open houses and surveys on potential city lands. Ludwig noted the city is passing bylaws on a new community plan, with first reading occurring at Monday’s meeting.
Ludwig is also looking forward to the completion of the new water intake project, which will shift the primary water source from Boundary Dam to Rafferty Dam. Also scheduled for this year is resurfacing Highway 47 South from Fourth Street to Perkins Street, the expansion of the Estevan Police Service building and beautification projects.
A splash park has been installed at Centennial Park in central Estevan, and a new sidewalk and crossing lights have been installed on Edward Street and Souris Avenue North.
And Craig Johnston has joined the economic development team, with funding from the coal transition initiative. He has been working hard to gather information from throughout the community.
“As we turn the page to a new year and a new decade, let us look forward with optimism and confidence knowing that we have the resiliency and courage in our community to deal with the challenges that lie before us,” said Ludwig.
