The possibility of a new leisure facility was discussed by the City of Weyburn’s Facilities Advisory Committee, council heard at their meeting on Tuesday evening.
The committee discussed the possibility of a facility at Jubilee Park, tied in with the proposed new elementary school to be built on the site of the Weyburn Junior High School, or as a stand-alone building located north of Saskatchewan Drive.
Mathew Warren, Leisure Services director, brought information to the committee after speaking with Andy Dobson from the Southeast Cornerstone School Division, and noted Dobson will provide a letter from the Ministry of Education outlining joint-use agreements for schools.
Dobson was asked for a footprint of what the new elementary school will look like, but he was unable to provide that information until the school division is through the design phase of the project.
Coun. Brad Wheeler reported that the committee had a lengthy discussion about a stand-alone facility versus a joint facility with the new elementary school, and no consensus was reached either way.
Opinions varied between the need to move towards the vision of a stand-alone complex to be built in phases, incorporating all leisure facility replacements with a field house, pool facility, ice arena and outdoor sports fields all in one area, and a joint partnership for a field house with future phases for a pool facility and sports fields within Jubilee Park to optimize green space area.
The committee recommended to city council the authorization of an engineered conceptual plan to optimize Jubilee Park as a multi-use, multi-generational facility.
Coun. Mel Van Betuw, who chairs the committee, said if the city goes with a stand-alone facility, the field house will be smaller than a joint-use facility with the school.
From the Economic Development committee, Coun. Jeff Richards reported that there have been discussions held with potential new retailers and new industrial-type of businesses, plus he noted director Twila Walkeden has been having discussions with the North American Central Trade Corridor association about improving the flow of goods and services north and south with the United States.
The committee is also awaiting completion of a new investors guide for the City of Weyburn, which will be used to attract new jobs and new businesses to Weyburn.
The committee will have a booth at the upcoming Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show in Weyburn, set for June 6-8 at the exhibition grounds, and then on June 13-15, will have a booth at the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary, promoting the Weyburn area as a place for oil companies to do business.
Coun. Richards noted that Walkeden will be hosting a bus load of around 50 of a group called “Women on the Go” from Regina this weekend, as they come and do some shopping and sightseeing around Weyburn.
He urges city residents and businesses to be good ambassadors for Weyburn, and also this summer for visitors, saying, “Weyburn is a pretty cool place, so we need you to be great ambassadors over the summer. I urge everyone to be in contact with all the cool stuff going on in our community this summer.”
