The annual spring rush has come to an end in Estevan.
The Estevan Comprehensive School’s graduation ceremony is finished, the fair has come and gone, many of the spring sports seasons have wrapped up, and summer vacation in the city starts today.
Of course, this summer will begin with a bang locally thanks to the Canada 150 celebrations. We couldn’t think of a better way to start the summer than by going to a Canada 150 event. (The Canada Day special in this week’s Mercury includes a story on a number of events that are happening in the area).
But that doesn’t mean the volume of events will die down once we’re finished celebrating our nation’s history.
A recurring statement you’ll hear from the local malcontents is there’s nothing to do in Estevan. Anyone who pays attention to what is happening in the city will disagree with that statement, because there’s no shortage of things to do in the “dog days” of summer.
Yes, a lot of it is geared towards kids. There are numerous camps offered for children each year, thanks to the efforts of local organizations. Take your pick from camps that emphasize art, culture, history, literature and religion.
One of the city’s biggest sources of pride should be the play parks program offered by the City of Estevan each year. Some might gripe that the play parks are free to use, and it costs a lot of money to operate it, but we’ll argue it’s money well spent for kids to have a safe place to swim and do crafts outdoors.
But there’s also a lot for adults during the summer months. Another source of pride for the community is the Souris Valley Theatre, which offers live theatre productions.
The first show of the year, Fitz Happens, is wrapping up, and has enjoyed rave reviews. We can only hope the other main stage show, Dog Barked, and the short-run productions are as entertaining.
Another attraction that Estevan is fortunate to have is the Estevan Motor Speedway, which is now into its 18th season of excitement for local racing fans. They have some great events planned for the summer, not the least of which is the Dakota Classic Modified Tour on July 10.
If you’re looking for an athletic pursuit, there’s golf at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club and the Hidden Valley Golf and RV Resort. Or try jogging or walking on one of Estevan’s pathways, or at the Chamney Family Running Track at Panteluk Athletic Park, near the Estevan Comprehensive School.
And, of course, there’s always camping, which can be enjoyed at Woodlawn Regional Park or one of the other regional parks in the area, or at private campgrounds, which range in size from large to small. Some of those smaller campgrounds are great for a more rustic experience, as opposed to the “glamping” favoured by many campers today.
Estevan might not host an event as big as the Saskatchewan Summer Games this year, but there’ll still be lots to do.
There’s nothing to do in Estevan? We disagree. There’s lots to do here. And you don’t have to look very far to find something.
