Weyburn city council moved to deny a request from the Assiniboia Park School-Community council for use of some green space near the school for playground equipment.
Weyburn city council moved to deny a request from the Assiniboia Park School-Community council for use of some green space near the school for playground equipment.
In a letter to the city from Heather Sidloski of the school-community council, she pointed out that the population in the vicinity of Assiniboia Park School is growing, with more lots being sold to further build the development in that area.
She noted the school's population has grown from 175 students six years ago to 211 this year, with a projection to grow to over 250 in the next two to four years.
"Our existing playground is already feeling the strain. Our school community council has done a needs assessment and is looking at a playground expansion plan," said Sidloski.
The plan includes another play structure, some swings, wheelchair-accessible activities, a paved outdoor gym, and an outdoor classroom-kitchen area.
Citing the existence of some green space owned by the city at 16th Street and Fifth Avenue, the council asked if the city would consider "contributing to the APES playground expansion instead of a new community play area for that north part of the city. We know that our playground is currently used not just during the school day, but during post-school times also by children in the community."
The school-community council is estimating the cost of this playground expansion at around $100,000, and additionally asked city council if they would provide funding of about $25,000 towards the playground expansion.
In a copy of the playground expansion proposal provided to city council, the timeline is to provide for the first phase by August of 2012, including swings and a new play structure; a new outdoor paved gym area by August of 2013; and a covered picnic area/gazebo by August 2014.
In speaking as the chair of the city parks board, Coun. Nancy Styles pointed out they had not had any plans for playground equipment for the land in question, but there are plans for two ball diamonds just north of that area on 16th Street.
City manager Bob Smith added that there aren't any plans for putting in any developments there in their five-year plan, but there may be plans for development beyond that time-frame.
City council passed a formal resolution endorsing their involvement with the municipal-partnering program with Ukraine through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
From the member municipalities in FCM, there are 13 Canadian cities who are partnering with 12 Ukrainian cities in the MLED (Municipal Local Economic Development) project, including the City of Weyburn, through the leadership of Mayor Debra Button, who just recently returned from a trip to Ukraine as part of the ongoing five-year project.
FCM informed the city that a number of the Canadian partners had not passed a formal endorsement of the projet through a resolution, and they were asked to do so if they hadn't yet done so.
"In order to understand the best practices of municipalities in Canada, they're asking that the city endorse their involvement in the project, towards the project going forward in the future," said city manager Smith.
The city will be putting up 32 new residential lots for sale by lottery in the Assiniboia Park area in the city's northeast, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, starting at 9 a.m.
The lots are on Johnson Drive, McTaggart Drive and Veterans Road, and range in price from $115,500 up to one as high as $146,200.
According to the city, the lot prices include full services and pavement, with the curbs and pavement due to be installed in 2012.
To take part in the lot sale, buyers must be at City Hall on Dec. 6 to have their names put into a draw to determine who gets the first choice of lot to buy.
Due to rain, flooding and various other factors, the city has not been able to have any residential lots available this year before now to buy for the construction of new homes.
In a report from the Police Commission, Coun. Rob Stephanson reported that as part of a province-wide blitz on cell phone use by drivers, there were 12 tickets issued in Weyburn.
As part of the Christmas holiday watch coming up, the city police and RCMP will hold two large blitzes for motorists, on Thursday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 17.
"They will be looking for all those things you shouldn't be doing at this time of year," warned Coun. Stephanson, adding this runs the gamut from drinking and driving, seatbelt use, and driving while using cell phones, as well as checking for such things as outstanding warrants, or driving without a licence.
Chief Howard Georgeson told the police commission he sent a letter to MLA Dustin Duncan to ensure Weyburn is on the list of municipalities to receive funding for additional police officers this year.
