Monday, Unity was fortunate to have a big announcement made at the ball diamonds.
The venue was appropriate because of all the activity the area enjoys this time of year.
MLA Bill Boyd, Alan Tanchak from Community Initiatives Fund, Unity Minor Ball president, Bob Abel, Mayor Sylvia Maljan and Unity's recreation director, Nicole Doelzar, announced that Unity is being awarded $50,000 for a regional park bathroom upgrade.
The current Atco trailer bathrooms were put in place more than 20 years ago as a temporary solution. Because of funding issues a permanent solution was not pushed to the front burner until now. With the number of bigger events Unity has been hosting, along with commitment from the Town of Unity and Unity Minor Ball, this project was given 'must do' status.
This funding, along with proceeds from minor ball, the town and Rider Pride Hockey dollars will go towards its completion. The Town has also put a bid into TSN Hometown tour in hopes of topping off the fund to start construction on this facility now.
The intention is to have fully accessible washroom facilities and enough of them so rented port-a-potties are no longer needed for bigger events.
The regional park contains ball diamonds that are continually in use from the end of April into fall, and also offers a number of walking paths that are used for all ages. They align the edge of the museum grounds so folks there can wander into the park to take part in the happenings there as well.
An upgraded washroom facility will be a significant asset to the activity that takes place at the park.
With school winding down the next few weeks will be busy for both parents and kids in Unity. Last field trips, swim dates, test days are all taking place. UCHS last day of class for senior high was June 20 and students are into exams this week. Report cards for high school students can be picked up June 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. June 30 is graduation day with a cap and gown ceremony at 10 a.m. in the senior gym. The rest of their festivities will be at the community centre later that evening. UPS students celebrated their awards day on June 23. St. Peter's School awards day was June 22. Both elementary schools have report card pick up on June 30, in the morning.
Unity United Church will hold a service June 26, but are not holding services for the month of July. Services return Aug. 7 with regular morning worship at 11 a.m. The Catholic Church will say goodbye to good friend and popular priest, Father Gerard, at the end of June. His replacement will arrive in early July. We would like to wish Father Gerard well as he was well known and loved by many in the community.
The Communities in Bloom committee is busy fine tuning all the projects they want to showcase for their entry in the National Communities in Bloom competition. Because Unity won the provincial competition for this project in 2010 they were eligible to enter for the national level. The judges are in town July 28, so committee members are asking all residents to keep their yards especially neat and tidy for this day. You can enter your yard now for the residential home garden tour taking place July 21. July 28, there will be a community picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. at the regional park with various activities to celebrate this event.
Unity golf club is in full swing with ladies' night running Tuesday evenings and men's night running on Wednesdays. Watch for upcoming events they will be hosting throughout the season.
And don't forget the Unity Museum will play host again to the annual Canada Day celebrations. This event is sure to please folks of all ages with food, entertainment, cake, activities, museum tours and the ever popular fireworks.
Coffee row, having just theorized about the compromise residents were forced into with the watering ban issued June 16, came back to the discussion table, all smiles, when over three inches of rain fell in several days in our area. It was much needed moisture that was welcomed by all. Of course, the soggy situation in southern Saskatchewan was also pondered over. Again, you can see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week . . .
