Kenneth Brown
of The Clarion

The Friends of Kinsmen Park (FOKP) want to replace the shack at the park’s skating rink, a representative has told Kindersley town council.

Tammy Anderson-Jackson, a spokesperson for the group, appeared before council on Sept. 11 to seek approval for the plans to replace the old shack at the outdoor rink.

Anderson-Jackson said if council approves the plans, the group would take the next steps to build a new shack. She said FOKP has started the procurement process and is accepting quotes for the project.

Mayor Rod Perkins said most council members would have seen the drawings in their council packages and asked Anderson-Jackson if the plan is to demolish the old shack. She said that was the plan.

Anderson-Jackson said the group will do what needs to be done to get the project off the ground. The plan is to build the shack next spring. The group will continue raising money for the project, along with other improvements at Kinsmen Park. The official plans were drawn up by Karley Twin, the delegate said.

Perkins said he couldn’t speak for everyone on council but he believes town officials are happy the old shack is going to be replaced. He recognized that the building is in rough shape.

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Deputy Mayor Ken Francis asked if the group has considered what could be done to prevent vandalism at the shack. He said it’s great to have nice things but there are people who will ruin them for others. Anderson-Jackson said the concern has been discussed and the group could consider security cameras. The delegate and council members discussed other security measures.

FOKP is in discussions with Kindersley Minor Soccer to share costs related to the project because a new soccer pitch is being built close to the park, Anderson-Jackson said.

Tim Hanna, the town’s director of community services, said council approved money for the shack project in the town’s 2017 capital budget, so council might want to move the funding forward to use in the future. He noted that industrial grade doors would be a good option for security.

Perkins told the delegate that money for the project would be placed into a reserve and be available when it’s needed.

Anderson-Jackson said the group plans to save the large red letters on the existing shack but the letters are all that will remain.

She said the new shack won’t be cheap. The plumbing and electrical work alone is estimated at $29,000. She several grants are being sought, including one for $10,000 from Enbridge Inc.

Other council meeting highlights:

• Council members passed a resolution to approve the use of a new product in an attempt to improve the roads in the town’s industrial area.

The town’s Industrial Area Review Committee, made up of of three council members, has been looking into road and drainage improvements for the area. Members recommended the town try Roadtek, a road stabilization chemical, on the gravel roads.

Councillor Dean Galbraith, chairperson for the committee, said the members have been trying to find a way to improve the road conditions and drainage in the industrial area. The committee decided to try Roadtek in a trial.

Council agreed to approve spending $31,930 plus taxes to do a test using the chemical on a portion of Ninth Avenue West. The accepted quote came from Guardian Chemical Inc. Galbraith said the committee wants to see if the product helps and, if it does, the plan is to consider it in future town budgets.

The chemical is applied under the road surface to form a stronger bond in the road. The company says Roadtek could be applied at depths from 3.5 inches up to 10 inches. The product helps to increase a road’s strength and moisture resistance.

Kim Vogel, the town’s director of transportation and environment, said funding to test the product is from the town’s dust control budget, so the town isn’t using new funds to cover the cost of the Roadtek application.

• Council agreed to support a new initiative by local service clubs to raise money for the aquatic centre.

The Kindersley Community Service Group is a new partnership of the Kindersley Elks Lodge, Kindersley Legion, Kindersley Rotary Club and Kindersley Masonic Lodge. The four groups came together to pool their resources for larger fundraising initiatives.

Gary Hamilton, secretary-treasurer for the Kindersley Community Service Group, wrote a letter to council asking for a letter of recommendation from the Town of Kindersley to help with its application to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

The service group plans to run a Chase the Ace fundraiser for the aquatic centre. The letter states that the pool project will be the group’s first priority. The group wants a gaming licence for the local fundraiser.

“I have met a couple times with the service club members,” Mayor Rod Perkins said at the council meeting, adding that the group has asked for the letter of support from the town and he would be happy to draft the letter.

• Town officials are pledging to work with a community member to find a good location for a full-sized basketball court after a door closed on a desired location.

Jason Hankewich, a representative of Kindersley Youth Basketball, asked council in August if a new basketball court could be built in Elks Park. The park is located behind the Norman Ritchie Community Centre.

Council asked him to canvass residents of the area to see if there was opposition to the idea. Town officials drafted a letter and Tim Hanna, the town’s director of community services, said about 60 letters were delivered and a majority of residents were opposed to the basketball court. A petition was also signed by opponents.

Hanna said only two respondents were in favour of the idea, so the opposition was overwhelming. He told council the residents support the idea but not at Elks Park. Hanna said he has spoken to Hankewich, who is open to finding an alternative location.

Mayor Rod Perkins said he doesn’t want to dampen any enthusiasm for the basketball court project, so he encouraged the administration to continue the discussion with Hankewich and to look for a suitable location.

• Council members asked town administration to move to the next stage of the tax enforcement process as outlined by the Tax Enforcement Act. Several properties are on the list.

Bernie Morton, the chief administrative officer, said the town has gone through a mandatory six-month period with the list of properties, so a motion is required from council to take the next step.

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