At the recent regular Esterhazy town council meeting, the council approved four projects for their submission to the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP).
The Town of Esterhazy is eligible for $359,608 from MEEP to go towards various infrastructure projects. With the projects approved by council, the next step is to then apply to MEEP for approval to receive the funding.
MEEP was announced by the Government of Saskatchewan in May with funding going to local municipalities ($143 per capita) to support investments in infrastructure, to stimulate economic recovery and encourage local job creation.
The four projects approved by council to apply for MEEP were Main Street beautification, construction of a barrier wall in the commercial area, playground equipment at the historical park, and construction of new tennis/pickleball/basketball courts.
“What we’ll do is we’ll allocate all that money ($359,608) to those projects and then the plan is to have additional sources of funding from our local non-profit organizations,” said Acting Administrator Mike Thorley. “We still have to get all of that in place, but that’s the plan.
“The next part is you send a letter in basically saying you’re going to participate in the program with a project plan in place and explain how you’re going to spend the money,” said Thorley.
The MEEP funding has to be used on the projects within two years with the deadline being March 31, 2022.
Second parklet approved
The council passed a motion to approve the building of a second public parklet and will decide where it will go at a future council meeting.
The Esterhazy Economic Development Committee led the way on the development and set up of the new parklet on Main Street. It was put in July 7. The parklet was created and built using six different local businesses. Planning and Economic Development Director Tammy MacDonald says positive feedback has been pouring in from residents of the town.
A few factors went into the approval of a second parklet. The first parklet was budgeted for $10,000, but came in at $8,000 and a misunderstanding led to two parklet bases being built. With a second parklet base on hand and the first being $2,000 under budget, MacDonald says, it will only cost an additional $2,000 to complete and install a second parklet, for a total of $4,000.
“When they originally sent out requests to put this parklet together, they sent out to a contractor and he was under the assumption it was supposed to be a specific size and he doubled up his amount that he provided for the base,” said Acting Administrator Mike Thorley. “Under his quote he ended up providing two bases instead of one. Now we’re wanting to use the extra materials to put up a second parklet and it will only be $2,000.”
The success of the first parklet led council to be in agreement that with the extra base already built and it coming in under budget, a second parklet would be a great addition to the town.
“It’s been well received in the community already,” said Thorley.
“Now people in the community want more of them. We already have businesses contacting us about having them. The whole idea with this project is that it’s portable so next year we’ll definitely look at moving it around on a two-week or monthly basis and put it in front of different store fronts so everybody can get the enhancement from it.”
Rec update
Rec Director Brenda Redman gave the council an update on the progress of different recreation facilities throughout Esterhazy.
The D.A. Mackenzie Aquatic Centre is open and it has been busy, says Redman. Although there are limitations with the Covid-19 guidelines this year, it’s running well and all rules are being followed. The pool opened on July 1, but isn’t offering swimming lessons this year due to Covid-19 related staff shortages.
With Saskatchewan’s re-opening continuing, the S.N. Boreen Centre is now allowed to open banquet rooms to be rented. Due to Covid-19 guidelines, no dancing is allowed.
As the Dana Antal Arena’s roof work has been completed by Bonkowski Enterprises, Redman says, they should reach out to different groups to see if there’s enough interest to open the rink in September following Covid-19 guidelines. A decision on when the rink will re-open will be made at a future council meeting.
The construction being done at the Esterhazy Regional Park to re-establish the baseball diamond is going great, says Redman. She’s very pleased with how it’s starting to look and recommends people check it out.
The construction is being done by Triple G Enterprises as they work with Esterhazy Minor Ball on the project.
Reduced lot prices sign
There are lots for sale at a reduced price by the Town of Esterhazy’s residential committee. The lots are throughout Esterhazy and to inform people, the council is discussing sign advertisement options.
“We need to let people know the prices are reduced and get the word out,” said Councillor Tenille Flick. “The sign just needs to say there’s reduced prices on lots and to contact Tammy.”
No decision was made on an advertisement option for the lots, but Planning and Economic Development Director Tammy MacDonald is looking into it for the next council meeting.
“We’re going to discuss a plan with some of the people who have signs in town right now to see if we can get space on their sign for a period of time,” said Acting Administrator Mike Thorley.
“We’ll spend some money, if necessary, for that. We’re not going to put up another sign ourselves, we’ll just try to work with one of the portable signs that is existing and available.”
Library open for curbside pickup
The Southeast Regional Library has asked the Town of Esterhazy to partially re-open the Esterhazy Public Library for curbside pickup. The council told Rec Director Brenda Redman they support the re-opening.
Branches of the Southeast Regional Library began partially re-opening June 28 as part of the re-opening of Saskatchewan. The Southeast Regional Library will be giving guidance to their branches on how to operate with contactless curbside pickup.
Southeast Regional Library Director Kate-Lee Nolin says the library re-open plans were developed with the health and safety of employees and patrons as their top priority.
Potash Interpretive Centre open
The Town of Esterhazy is opening the Potash Interpretive Centre, the Esterhazy Community Museum, and the Flour Mill. They will be open Monday to Sunday with shortened hours from 1 p.m to 5 p.m.
“It’s been a good tourism focus in our community,” said Acting Administrator Mike Thorley. “We hired three staff that will be working there throughout the summer.”
