LMT Nov 30 - Vol 114 - issue 03

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lmtimes.ca • Last Mountain Times • Monday, November 30, 2020 • /lastmountaintimes • @lmtimes
An alternative
to Santa Claus
Parade in
Regina Beach
5
three grades, and two were very close contacts.
Other than that, Barber said, there does not appear
to be a linkage between those students. He
said that people need to be very aware of the fact
that there are lots of COVID-19 cases within the
community, adding that he knows several people
personally who have tested positive.
The CAO noted that the office has several people
working from home as a result of COVID-19
precautions. She said everyone is masking in the
office unless they are in their own office. However,
if they leave their office, they wear masks. She
said they are offering a $20 subsidy to staff for
the purchase of masks. They are wiping down the
coffee room and restricting it to two people at a
time, allowing the staff to use council chambers
for breaks with the same cleaning protocols. Due
to staff shortages related to COVID-19 precautions,
the office will be closed from November
26 – December 1. Staff will be available by phone
or email. She noted they would see how long the
office can stay open. She said that while it is not
ideal for providing the best customer service for
their residents, they will manage the challenges
of COVID-19 as it evolves.
COVID-RINK
Councillor Barber noted that over the weekend,
the rink had been closed to fans. He explained
the closure was due to what occurred at the high
school. The rink wanted to be closed to fans while
they completed a deep clean of the facilities.
COVID-19 Heritage Home
Councillor Tumbach said that there had been
one staff member who had tested positive at the
Heritage home. He noted that all of the residents
were tested, and none had come back positive.
He added that the appropriate protocols are in
place, and they are faring well. He noted that
they were told pre-COVID they wouldn’t get help
from the SHA. However, the SHA stepped in and
helped Santa Maria, so he felt if they had an issue
in their home, they wouldn’t be on their own. He
added they cancelled the AGM and that meetings
would occur over Zoom.
COVID- Administration Report
Public Works Report
The Public Works Manager & Utilities Superintendent,
Jeff Carey, gave his report to Council. He
reported that two staff have been taking regular
training on wastewater management, which will
continue for the future. On November 30, one
staff member will regularly be at the wastewater
plant as they commission the plant.
The Qu’Appelle Valley Nordic Ski Club (QVN) is
a volunteer-based ski club that has a partnership
with the Town of Lumsden. Public Works helped
QVN by providing water to make snow. Due
to limited snowfall in previous years, the club
purchased a snowmaking machine; this year is
the first year they will be making snow for their
trails. The Mayor said he received a phone call
from QVN thanking the town for the assistance
they received.
Carey reported that they have had to move a
significant amount of snow from the streets for
the first time in nearly two years. He noted that
they would be prepping the outdoor rink within
the next week to start putting in ice, and as soon
as they receive a window of cold weather, they
will begin flooding.
Council meetings are open to the public via
Zoom. The next meeting is on December 15 at
6:30 pm. Contact the municipal office in advance
if you would like to attend.
*note- this was the status of covid at the time of
the meeting. As covid precautions evolve, the information
provided here may have also changed.
Jennifer Argue, Civic Reporter, LMT - LJi
Note: These reports are abridged for content
Getting Down To Business
With New Council in Regina
Beach
While the official swearing-in of the new Regina Beach
Town Council was held earlier in the month, it was
nothing but talk of business and the town’s future at the
regular Council meeting on November 24th.
Except for Councillor Sandi Metz, who was re-elected
as the only incumbent, all members of the Regina Beach
Town Council are new to the position. Each was present
for detailed discussion, including the new Mayor Randy
Vollman, and Councillors Kaley Bancescue, Shawn
Langford, Mark Oldershaw, Jared Rommens and Barry
Wasnik.
Their plate was full, discussing everything from strategic
planning, to why fixing concrete on the sidewalks has
been postponed until the spring, to the cancelling of this
year’s Santa Claus parade.
A strategic building plan has been ongoing for the past
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Draper kids
-Kelli Draper
Even Covid-19 cannot dampen the Holiday Spirit on the
South Shore. Residents were looking forward to lining
up for the first-ever Santa Claus Parade, scheduled for
November 28th in Regina Beach. It was supposed to be
an evening of community cheer for all, watching colourful
floats, and enjoying a hot chocolate while sitting on a lawn
chair along the main street.
But, those plans have now been postponed since the
Province announced new restrictions due to the pandemic.
Councillor Sandi Metz says, “It will go ahead, though,
sometime in the future, when Covid restrictions are lifted.”
Like Chris Brewer, the news left residents disappointed
that this event wouldn’t go ahead, as planned. He loves
the Holiday Season, so he came up with the idea that is
similar, but different, and still a way everyone can still celebrate
the season together, but distancing nonetheless. He
sent out a note on FaceBook, asking residents what they
thought about an alternative, as a way for the community
to get together still, sort of, and even collectively celebrate
the season,
“How about a date in December for a self-guided sparkle
tour? Everyone can have all the Christmas lights and decorations
lit up. That way, everyone at the Beach can tour
and take in the lights and decorations. Just a thought.”
The response from the public was immediate, enthusiastically
encouraging the idea.
A community sparkle tour needs to be coordinated,
which within hours, prompted the Town of Regina Beach
Parks & Recreation to respond. It put out a call for residents
to decorate their homes and play Christmas music
for a Sparkle tour, which will happen every Friday night in
December. This way, families can safely take part, in the
comfort of their vehicles, driving around the communities
of Kinookimaw, Buena Vista and Regina Beach to view
colourful light displays.
People like Lorraine Marshall love the idea. She has
five children and says since the suggestion, she’s already
started decorating her home. “This is a wonderful time of
year. My family loves the Christmas season, so of course,
we’ll take part.”
Kelli Draper, who is a mother to three children, also
heralds the news about this alternative way to celebrate
collectively. My kids were disappointed that there will be
no Santa event this year, as we have enjoyed attending every
year. However, my kids also understand that this year,
things are going to be different. So, we are still all going to
celebrate the things that we do have and be grateful for our
family, friends and health.”
The call to decorate has been put out. So each Friday
night, from now until Christmas Day, the South Shore
streets are sure to be busy. Families and friends can still
celebrate together, enjoying the twinkling of lights along
with each others’ company, in a safe manner, this Holiday
Season.
By Carol Rose GoldenEagle