Celebration of Christmas and Christmas Castle team up to create Christmas Village at Melfort and District Museum

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Celebration of Christmas and Christmas Castle team up to create Christmas Village at Melfort and District Museum

A pair of Melfort festive events are joining forces this year to celebrate the holiday season. The Melfort Museum’s Celebration of Christmas and the creators of the Christmas Castle have put together a Christmas Village at the Melfort and District Museum.

The two events that have run separately in the past have now joined forces.

“It’s our 16th year with the Celebration of Christmas but we changed it up this year, primarily due to COVID regulations, but also because for a number of years we have been wanting to do something over here at the museum for Christmas,” Melfort Museum Curator Gailmarie Anderson said. “We are finally able to do that with a lot of help in partnership with the Christmas Castle people.”

The Christmas Village opened for its first round of visitors on Dec. 2, continuing to Dec. 4. It will also be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day from Dec. 9-11, Dec. 16-18, and Dec. 20-22. Anderson credited the volunteers and donors for helping make the village what it is.

“It is all lit up, and it looks lovely,” she said. “We have lots of volunteers who have got apple cider and candy canes and glow sticks to give out, and it is all by donations.”

Organizers are also collecting donations for the hospital, the North Central Health Foundation, and for the museum, which is trying to restore an old caboose.

Anderson said the changes have already see a positive response.

“It’s really nice. We had our first night last night (Dec. 2) and everybody who came really enjoyed it,” she explained. “It gets you into the Christmas spirit with all of the lights and we had a big bonfire out there and serving hot cider.”

The first few days of the outdoor event also saw decent weather. Anderson said they’re hoping for more nice days, but they’re prepared for cold temperatures.

“It all depends on the weather now but we are ready,” she said.

The Celebration of Christmas has been held in a number of venues during its long history. The first years were in what was then the Travelodge. Organizers then set it up the Melfort Mall for a year, then in the United Church Christian Education Centre, and in the Kerry Vickar Centre.

In 2018 and 2019 it was held in the Historic Post Office and last year it was held as online due to COVID-19.

The event traditionally included a Community Silent Auction and a business lunch and Christmas Dinner.

Anderson said they have scheduled the Silent Auction, which is usually a part of the Celebration, for spring with a date yet to be determined.

Anderson said they already had a lot to focus on, and didn’t have time to organize a separate silent auction.

The Christmas Castle was founded by Dr. Yemi Laosebikan and his wife Foluke Laosebikan, who transformed the Historic Post Office in Melfort into a festive wonderland for the Christmas Season. The idea is relatively simple, with Christmas trees, nativity scenes and other festive decorations on the main floor of the Historic Post Office. The idea began in 2018 and returned in 2019 and was presented along with the City of Melfort.

Anderson encourages everyone to come and get in the Christmas spirit at the Museum.

“It’s a great experience and also the donations go to a great cause,” she said. “Hopefully people in Melfort and area will come and see our Christmas village.”

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Province opens eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Province opens eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots

The provincial government expanded vaccine booster shot eligibility on Tuesday.

That means individuals ages 50 and older, far north residents ages 18 and older, healthcare workers, residents living in First Nations communities, and residents with underlying health conditions born in 2009 or earlier are eligible. The expansion comes into effect immediately.

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) president Marlo Pritchard made the announcement during a Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) technical briefing. Pritchard said they’ll keep adding additional age groups to the eligibility list, with the goal of having all adult residents eligible by 2022.

Residents who already received a third booster dose for travel purposes do not require a fourth dose at this time.

In regards to getting a booster dose if an individual has received two doses of the two dose vaccines (Pfizer BionTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna) or one dose of the single dose vaccine (Janssen), they are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving your last dose.

Pritchard said providing the doses is not going to be an issue.

“There are lots of vaccine supply on hand,” he said. “The province of Saskatchewan has sufficient vaccine in the province to support COVID-19 vaccinations for all residents 12 years and older, pediatric vaccinations 5 to 11 and all booster and third dose vaccinations.”

According to the government release, individuals may experience waning immunity due to factors like age or underlying conditions that impact the body’s ability to mount a strong immune response to the vaccines.

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab explained that the way the current rollout works will affect the rollout opening in January.

“We do expect to make boosters available for everyone 18 and over in early January, so we would advise everyone who is currently not eligible to watch for that update early in January,” he said. “Again, we really hope, as we said earlier, that people who are eligible now come forward … to make that process smooth, so that once this initial phase has a satisfactory uptake eligibility will open we feel early in the new year for everyone 18 and older.”

“We hope as many people as possible will take advantage of this as long as they are five months after their second dose,” Shahab added.

Fully vaccinated individuals are also at-risk of potential breakthrough infections based on the rate of community transmission. Electing to receive a booster dose may increase long-term immune response and provide further protection against COVID-19 transmission. It will decrease the risk of contracting COVID-19 and, if you do contract COVID-19, will reduce the risk that you become seriously ill.

Booster doses can be received through any Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) clinic currently as well as through participating pharmacies. 

Information on booking an appointment or clinics is available at saskatchewan.ca/covid-19.

They also advise to not book a booster dose prior to your five-month eligibility.

The date of your last dose will be verified at the point of immunization and if it has not been five months since your last dose, you will not be able to receive your immunization

You can find the date of your last dose on your COVID-19 vaccination wallet card or on your COVID-19 QR code app.

When asked about rapid testing kits with passed expiration dates Pritchard said that they are safe and accurate.

“Health Canada has extended the expiry date, basically the expiry date that is printed on the label if it ends in 2021 you can add 10 months to that and if it expires in 2022 you can add four months to it. Health Canada has reviewed it, has authorized extending the shelf life and they are safe and accurate to use,” Pritchard said.

SHA staff redeployment ahead of targets

Pritchard said the Saskatchewah Health Authority (SHA) is ahead of schedule when it comes to resuming services affected by COVID-19 redeployments.

As of Tuesday, roughly 93 per cent of redeployed staff who were working in support areas like testing, contact tracing, and outbreak management have returned to their home positions. Meanwhile, roughly 125 of the 229 staff redeployed to support ICUs and acute care services have returned back home. That accounts for roughly 55 per cent of staff redeployed in those areas.

The staff returns mean that 283 of the 395 services that were slowed since early September have been fully resumed, while 58 per cent have been partially resumed.

“The SHA will continue redeploying staff supporting ICUs and acute care services back to their home position as COVID pressures and overall ICU numbers decline,” Pritchard said.

Pediatric vaccine rollout performing well

As of Tuesday, roughly 87 per cent of residents 12 years and older, and 82 per cent of residents five years and older, have received their first dose. Roughly 82 per cent of residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated. For those five and older, the number is 74 per cent.

Roughly 36,000 doses have been provided to children between the ages of five and 11, which equals around 32 per cent of the eligible population.

“(That) is absolutely fabulous to see since it has only been two weeks since the rollout of the pediatric vaccines,” Pritchard said.

Shahab explained that getting the 5 to 11-year-old group vaccinated with first doses over December is critical as they can be eligible for second doses in January onward.

“We still have some unfinished business for first and second doses,” he said. “As you know, many parts of the province have low COVID cases, but we continue to see higher case numbers in some southern rural areas, (like) South Central, South East, Central East, for example, and also North and Far North. Although a first and second dose uptake has increased (in ages groups) 12 and older, we would still like that to continue.”

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Give a Little Life Day raises more than $350,000 for Victoria Hospital Foundation

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Give a Little Life Day raises more than $350,000 for Victoria Hospital Foundation

The 16th Annual Give a Little Life Day Campaign –Your Day, Your Hospital, Your Health raised more than $350,000 for the Victoria Hospital Foundation thanks to the generosity of Prince Albert residents.

The 12 hour radiothon was hosted on Friday, Dec. 3 and broadcast across 900 CKBI, Beach Radio and Power 99. It featured numerous stories from clinical staff throughout the hospital.

“We did very well. We are extremely grateful,” Victoria Hospital Foundation CEO Sherry Buckler said.

“It’s extremely important every year we raise money for something very important within the hospital. If it wasn’t for our communities, if it wasn’t for our donors, so much in our hospital wouldn’t be possible.”

The campaign raised $351,281.68 in total, and Buckler expects they will reach $400,000 by the end of the month as donations continue to flow in.

“They have changed the face of healthcare in our community over the last 16 years,” she said.

Community members answered the call for help through donating online, over the phone and through the drive thru bay at Mann Northway’s location.

The numerous large donations included a $100,000 gift at the end of the day from Prince Albert philanthropists, Gordon and Jill Rawlinson.

“That was just magnificent,” Buckler said. “It was an absolute astounding gift and we are over the moon.”

Money raised from this year’s radiothon will be used for the most urgently needed equipment and technology throughout the Victoria Hospital—from the ICU and lab to surgical units and long term care facilities.

“The pandemic has really shone a light on our hospital here in the community and it has really exposed a lot of the gaps in healthcare and urgent needs,” Buckler explained. “Every area of our hospital has an urgent needs list, so our idea this year was to raise money for the hospital and be able to respond to those needs in real time partnership with our local health authority representatives, physicians and nurses.”

Buckler added that the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room require new monitors and the Pediatric Unit requires defibrillators.

“There is just so much right across the board that we wanted to raise money for that entire list,” she explained. “But, we also wanted to take the opportunity to highlight every area of the hospital and the role that it has played during this pandemic and how critical each area is.”

She thanked the community for their continued generosity in supporting the Victoria Hospital Foundation.

“Our community is part of our Foundation and we never take for granted their generosity and their ability to make change happen right here in Prince Albert and the Victoria Hospital. They are our champions, I mean we have been celebrating the bravery and dedication of our health care professionals and we continue to do so,” Buckler said.

“This radiothon really it was about celebrating our community and about their generosity and supporting local healthcare. We know and appreciate that every donation is a choice. It’s a decision to support our hospital and change the lives of our patients. And it’s that knowledge that’s at the root of our deep gratitude,” she added.

Anyone who missed donating and would still like to do so can call the Foundation at (306)765-6105 or visit www.helpthevic.ca.

RM of Prince Albert select local contractor for Municipal Office project

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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RM of Prince Albert select local contractor for Municipal Office project

The RM of Prince Albert has awarded the contract to construct a new municipal office and workshop to a local company.

On Friday, the RM announced that RNF Ventures of Prince Albert would receive the contract. RNF began foundation work on the project in late November. The office and workshop will cost an estimated $3.5-million.

“I am very proud to announce that a local company here in the Prince Albert region will be leading the construction of our new municipal office and workshop,” Reeve Eric Schmalz said in a press release.

“It speaks to our community when we can rely on the expertise and the trades of our local community in a project that (involves) our future growth and development,” Schmalz added.

The contractor was confirmed at a special meeting of the RM of Prince Albert council on Dec. 1. RNF Ventures was selected after a bidding process earlier this year. The Request for Proposals closed in August, 2021.

“The project represents another investment into our growing community,” RNF Ventures General Manager and Project Lead Allan Webb said. “We have long supported a build local philosophy and we are excited to be selected for this project.”

Under the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing over $500,000 towards the infrastructure project. The remainder of the estimated $3.5 million project is funded by the RM.

“The Government of Saskatchewan’s investment … will help the RM of Prince Albert’s new administration office and maintenance facility become a reality,” Government Relations Minister Don McMorris said.

In July, 2020 the province announced that the RM of Prince Albert received $511,961 for a new RM Shop.

Discussions of the design and a wish list were put together after August, 2020 and the RM consulted

“This one-time provincial program continues to act as an economic ‘booster shot’ to help protect the local economy, improve local infrastructure and build a string Saskatchewan for the decade ahead.”

The project is along Highway 2 south of Prince Albert and is needed because the existing maintenance facility is at the end of its service life and more municipal office space is required. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2022.

The municipal office and shop facility is also the first building to be constructed inside Signature Developments new commercial and residential project located in the RM.

The new facility will be located in the new development on Highway 2. Signature Development Corporation owns the land on the east side of the Highway 2 and Highway 11 corridor just south of Prince Albert near Flaman’s. Work is underway for a multi-phase project set to include commercial and residential development.

The first phase involves building a service road that runs parallel to the highway. It will run from the north and connect with the RM property where the new facility will be located. Schmalz said in an interview in August that the opportunity arose to secure the opportunity, and Signature made them an offer.

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Catholic school board reviews SSBA AGM

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Catholic school board reviews SSBA AGM

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) held their Annual General Meeting and Fall Assembly virtually earlier in November and the Prince Albert Catholic School Division board of education reviewed it during their regular meeting on Monday.

Trustees Pat Hordyski and Maurice Chalifour attended the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) AGM from Nov. 14 to 16. as representatives of the Prince Albert Catholic School Division board of education.

Trumier highlighted the presentation from Dr. Debbie Pushor on Parent Engagement as one of the keys to come out of the meeting.

“We have always valued the importance of parent engagement and this was just an opportunity to look at different ways to share ideas, consider new strategies and so that’s always valuable,” Trumier said.

She added that the SSBA meetings help with collaboration among school boards, and makes it easier for all schools ot find support

“The AGM provides that opportunity for the collaboration to occur for some direction setting and some advocacy pieces as well as business elements that need to get sorted as well,” she explained.

During the AGM, there were also bylaw amendments and resolutions including a two per cent budget increase for the 2022 SSBA budget, which was approved with a two thirds majority. Refinement of the budget and deliberations were also part of the process.

The SSBA also dedicated itself to further activity in regards to Truth and Reconciliation at the meeting.

SUBHEADLINE: Audit committee report

The board also received an update on the Provincial Education Plan for 2020-2030. After the board chairs council met on Nov.16 and reviewed outcomes for four pillars they set out for planning the future. The SSBA requested feedback and comments prior to Wednesday, Dec. 1.

“Our School Boards Association is trying to establish the pillars in which the plan will rest upon and they were looking for feedback from our trustees,” Trumier said. “There was a request for that information and the board will consider that request and provide some feedback.”

The four pillars are the Skills and Knowledge Pillar, Mental Health and Well-being Pillar, Connections and Relationships Pillar and Inclusive, Safe and Welcoming Pillar,

“Now that we have had COVID occur we have put a different emphasis on different elements,” Trumier explained. “I think it’s wise to take stock of where we were, what we have gone through and also establish with a new set of priorities perhaps or be able to reassess the priorities based on what has happened.”

During the meeting, newly elected trustee Darryl Sande questioned why they are being asked to provide feedback in a short turnaround. He wondered why it hasn’t been discussed by the board as a whole instead of a survey independently and have results compiled by Trumier.

Trumier explained that the consultation had been completed earlier.

Sande also expressed concern with the process. Board chair Suzanne Stubbs said that she would bring his concerns to the next board chairs meeting.

Shop with a cop

The board also received an update on the Shop with a Cop program. The program is done annually with the cooperation of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) and Canadian Tire. This year five students from St. Michael Community School have been invited to “Shop with a Cop.”

The program was recognized by all trustees for its importance, including Stubbs, who has been involved for many years.

“There is a collaboration that occurs with the city police and the Shop with a Cop project and there are five students from St. Michael School that will get that opportunity,” Trumier said.

The program will occur virtually through the Canadian Tire website. Each student will be awarded $100 for gifts for their family and loved ones.

“It will be virtual so we are just working out the details of what that will look like, yeah it’s exciting,” Trumier said.

Once the students have chosen their gifts a police officer will deliver the items to the school. As well, each participating student will receive a gift themselves.

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Ecole St. Mary Vice Principal expresses frustration with Minister of Education in letter

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Ecole St. Mary Vice Principal expresses frustration with Minister of Education in letter

Ecole St. Mary High School vice principal Dwayne Gareau has written a letter to Education Minister Dustin Duncan expressing his frustration with Duncan’s letter to school board chairs around vaccinations and extracurricular activities that was released earlier this month.

The letter was posted on Gareau’s personal Twitter account Wednesday and sent to Duncan the same day.

Gareau declined an opportunity to be interviewed and stated that the letter speaks for itself. In the letter, he expressed his frustration with Duncan’s decision to prohibit certain COVID-19 protocols in school divisions.

He stated that these changes resulted in irresponsible changes to the Prince Albert Catholic Division’s existing policy. The school division already had a policy requiring students to show proof of vaccination to be eligible for involvement in extracurricular activities. If students could not show proof of vaccination they were not eligible.

In his letter to school boards, Duncan wrote that students should be allowed to participate, regardless of their vaccination status.

“The Saskatchewan Government has expressed that the most safe and efficient way to end this pandemic through a path of vaccination. I also believe that the safest and fastest way to end this pandemic is to be vaccinated,” Gareau wrote.

“While we wait for the day that an end to this pandemic is a reality, our school division has created a reasonable plan that encourages safe and practical ways to live with COVID.

“In consultation with our local Medical Health Officer in Prince Albert, our school division has created an extracurricular environment that thoughtfully mitigated the risk of COVID exposure for everyone involved,”

Gareau wrote that Ecole St. Mary prides itself on running extracurricular programming that provides students with meaningful involvement in voluntary activities that take place outside the classroom. However, he also wrote that any extracurricular activities should be considered a possible health risk and treated accordingly.

“As a person in leadership position role at my school, the safety of our staff and students is paramount,” Gareau wrote. “Seeing as you are in leadership position overseeing all all of the staff and students in our province, I would assume you would want to reduce health risks associated with a global pandemic in the most effective way possible.”

He explained that the decision forcefully required the school division to interrupt the current voluntary proof of vaccination procedures.

“While you are on record claiming that vaccines are effective, work and are the way out of this pandemic, you are communicating messaging in discord with this assertion when you willingly interfere with division practices intended to keep everyone as safe as possible,” he wrote.

Gareau stated that Ecole St. Mary was offering the same extracurricular programming as before the pandemic and with procedures in place they saw no reduced interest. This year there are the same number of sports teams, art clubs and music clubs with the same student population as before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We believe there has been no drop off because students felt safe, and have been told from public health, from our school and most importantly from your government that this what we should all do,” he wrote.

“I find your recent decision is irresponsible but more importantly, immoral. As someone who has spent the last 18 year in education and is heavily involved in extracurricular programming, I am disgusted by your decision to knowingly advocate and campaign for an environment that would clearly be less safe for our staff and students

“We utilized a thoughtful and carefully devised plan that was supported by the overwhelming majority of our school population and public health officials. The decision is illogical and I am asking you to re-evaluate what you are asking us to do.”

In a statement issued on Thursday the Ministry of Education said the government appreciates the time and effort teachers and school support staff give to provide extra-curricular activities for students, but also said the decision was necessary to prevent children from being excluded.

“Recently the Minister of Education directed that boards of education must not require proof of vaccination or the provision of a negative test result as a requirement for students to participate in extra-curricular activities that take place in schools,” the statement reads. “This is consistent with the public health order already in place.

“We believe this directive promotes the inclusion of as many children as possible in extra-curricular activities which are important to help build a well-rounded educational experience.”

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

COVID-19 challenges highlight Catholic Division Annual Report

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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COVID-19 challenges highlight Catholic Division Annual Report

Continuing challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic are the focus of the Prince Albert Catholic School Division’s Annual Report.

Education director Lored Trumier went over the report with trustees at their regular board meeting on Monday. Trumier said she’s happy with the work the division did during a challenging year.

“I think this is where I would like to congratulate my staff, our families and our students for doing such an exceptional job in probably one of the most difficult years since the last pandemic (year),” Trumier said.

“It was a very difficult year for everyone and our school community just really stepped up. I am so proud of the work that has occurred and so proud of our students. It is something that I hope they look back at and remember that they contributed to a very positive environment when the pandemic was occurring,” she added.

Trumier cited the Edsby learning management platform as one of the report’s highlights. The Division launched the platform in September 2020 to help students learn from home.

The Edsby gives users across the school division acces to a shared platform. It allows access to all students with Microsoft 365 Office apps and is available to all students for free download on devices while enrolled in the division.

The challenges of launching the platform, which is now in use in the Saskatachewan Rivers School Division and others across the province, was in learning how to use it.

“We did that under conditions that obviously nobody wanted and yet all of our students and staff had to use the learning management platform and become adept at that,” Trumier explained. “We also supported families that perhaps did not have technology in order to do that.

“Our staff really extended themselves to learning a new tool, expanding the use of that tool to endeavours that we would never have done in the past.”

Trumier expects the division to continue using the Edsby platform into the future.

“Obviously the world and the use of technology has expanded during the pandemic and we can continue to expand,” Trumier said. “We know that is a skill set for the 21st century.”

The board approved the Annual Report 2020-2021 as presented pending minor changes after review by the Ministry of Education.

Each year school divisions are required to submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education for tabling in the Saskatchewan Legislature.

The report presents an overview division’s activities and results for the fiscal year Sept. 1, 2020,to Aug. 31, 2021.

In addition to detailing the school division’s activities and performance, the report outlines how the division is implementing their strategic plan, provides a report from management endorsing the financial overview and audited financial statements and includes appendices for other information.

Contingency funding helps with challenges according to audited financial statements

Trustees also reviewed audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year during Monday’s board meeting.

Audit Committee Chair Albert Provost presented the recommendations of the committee from their meeting held on Nov. 8 and Chief Financial Officer Greg McEwen did a general breakdown of the fiscal year ending Aug. 31 for trustees.

“I think again our team has done a really good job planning and budgeting for a year where we couldn’t anticipate what the costs would truly be,” Trumier said. “We did a really good job anticipating those needs.”

The trustees approved the Financial Statements pending minor changes made after Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education format review and approval.

During the 2020-2021 school year, the division received $3,148,584 in contingency funding from the province to support additional costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were for the 2020-2021 school year and preparations for the 2021-2022 school year.

“We also really relied on those contingency dollars to work through different elements of ensuring the layers of protection were there for our students and our staff,” Trumier said. “We couldn’t have done it without it.”

Total revenues increased from $33,478,132 to $36,027,422.

Revenue breakdowns show 82 per cent of revenues came from grants, 12 per cent came from property taxation and six per cent came from other forms of revenue such as school generated funds.

Total expenses increased from $33,085,989 in 2020 to $34,304,585 in 2021.

A breakdown of expenses shows 69 per cent went to instruction, 16 per cent went to plant, and transportation, governance and administration each made up six per cent and. Other expenses made up three per cent.

The operating surplus is $1,722,837 which is an increase from $392,143 in 2020.
The accumulated surplus at the end of the fiscal year is $36,179,654 which is a slight increase from $34,356,817 in 2020.

The accumulated surplus has developed over the life of the school division.

The Financial Statements are part of the 2020-2021 Annual Report.

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Nearly 100 per cent of staff in Catholic Division are fully vaccinated

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Nearly 100 per cent of staff in Catholic Division are fully vaccinated

Over 90 per cent of staff have declared and over 90 per cent are fully vaccinated according to an update at the Prince Albert Catholic School Division board of education’s regular meeting on Monday.

Director of education Lorel Trumier credited the staff for the numbers, which were reported earlier in November.

“Our staff have been super supportive of moving forward with (everything),” Trumier said. “Whether it’s proof of vaccination or moving to a monitoring process, they have really done a great job understanding the elements that we are trying to put in place.”

According to a memo, as of Nov. 19, 95 per cent of staff have responded to the Declaration of Proof of Vaccination requirement.

Of that percentage of staff 98 per cent of respondents are fully vaccinated.

Staff were given until Thursday, Dec.2 as a deadline. Unvaccinated staff or staff that have indicated non-disclosure will begin using a monitoring of negative test and symptom monitoring effective Dec. 6.

“Again, its one of those times where I think our staff are doing what they need to do in our educational community to support the safety around them and the students that are in their schools,” she added.

Businesses team up for Pack the Pickup for the Prince Albert SPCA

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Businesses team up for Pack the Pickup for the Prince Albert SPCA

A pair of local businesses are teaming up to collect food and donations for the Prince Albert SPCA.

Pet Planet Prince Albert and Mann Northway are teaming up to Pack the Pickup for the SPCA. Donations can be dropped off at Pet Planet Prince Albert, Mann Northway or at the Prince Albert Raider home game against the Regina Pats on Dec. 3.

“Anytime is a great time to have an event like this and do fundraising and look for donations,” Prince Albert SPCA manager Ashlee Bober said. “It has been a lot of planning and now is the time that we are able to make it work…. It worked nicely to have the event that fit the timeframe of the Raiders game here this Friday.”

Pet Plant Prince Albert owner Lee Penner said they want to support the community, and this fundraiser was a natural fit.

“The community has been really good to us during the pandemic and we naturally always deal with the SPCA and we have done that for seven years,” Penner said. “This year we are going a little bit bigger.”

“It is something we have done since we bought the store, so for seven years we have been working with the SPCA on a lot of things and it has been a very good partnership,” he added.

Mann-Northway and Pet Planet have been running promotions for a few weeks, and the support is already flowing in.

Pet Planet Prince Albert will be also providing 10 per cent off all donations and matching donations purchased in store, pound for pound.

During the Dec. 3 Raiders’ game, Pet Planet Prince Albert will be announcing a major donation and continued commitment to provide every dog and cat adopted from the Prince Albert SPCA their first bag of food for free.

The SPCA wish list of items includes cat food, dog toys, small animal supplies, and general supplies like paper towels. Bober said that there is currently a large need for cat food.

“A lot of the items that are on there are things that we require year round,” she explained. “Right now we are definitely finding that we have an influx of cats, so we are really looking for help right now with cat food and stuff like that. We tend to have such a high number of cats here in this building and we go through cat food and whatnot quite quickly.”

Cat food isn’t the SPCA’s only need, however. Penner emphasized there’s also a need for pet toys, as well as food. She said staff spend a lot of time with the animals, but toys are a big help when staff can’t be around.

“It is nice for them to have some sort of entertainment and enrichment while they are in there as well,” she explained.

Bober thanked everyone who either participated in or plans to help out with the fundraiser ahead of the game. She also thanked Mann Northway, Pet Planet, and the Raiders for putting the event together.

“We appreciate the support from our community and the local businesses that we have here,” she said. “We are so grateful to have everybody else helping us out.

“We really need the support from our community to be able to do what we do each and every day and to save the amount of lives we do,” she added. “Without the help of our community, we can’t do this.”

The Prince Albert Raiders play the Regina Pats with puck drop at 7 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday, Dec. 3.

RM of Buckland approves new head office development for former Thorpe Brothers building

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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RM of Buckland approves new head office development for former Thorpe Brothers building

A new business has been approved to begin operations in the former Thorpe Brothers building located north of Prince Albert.

The former site of the COVID-19 drive-thru clinic will now be home to a head office for Trio Ventures Ltd., a company with a diverse portfolio including helicopter operations, fuel sales, and food franchises, as well as the leasing and sales of aircraft and aircraft equipment and buildings.

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Buckland approved the company’s proposal after a discretionary use application hearing during a special council meeting on Friday afternoon.

The proposal was for Helicopter Repair, part warehouse and administrative offices.

Reeve Don Fyrk said the proposal is a sign that the north industrial area is growing.

“We have one group that is taking over Mary Nesbit (Campground and RV Park) or they are in the process of taking over,” Fyrk said. “Then we have got the propane company coming in—they bought the old Carrier Lumber and they are going to be setting up shop there—and now we have Trio coming in for helicopters. I think it is just fantastic.”

Buckland planner Jason Kaptein said before the meeting that the hearing was necessary because helicopter part and repair storage falls under repair shops and that requires a hearing.

After the hearing, the RM council approved the proposal unanimously.

President Patrick Campling gave a presentation outlining their plans for the building. Trio Ventures has operations in Prince Albert at Carlton Court Plaza and downtown, and Campling told the RM the company is growing so large they need to purchase the building and renovate the interior and exterior.

The holdings include food services such as Boston Pizza and military contracts, aircraft leasing, Great Slave Helicopters, building leasing and a fuel company.

Trio is named because the company has three primary investors. Their investments include 53 North, which sells aircrafts and parts. Trio says their current holdings in downtown Prince Albert are full.

The presentation was very thorough, and Fyrk said they appreciated the details from Campling, who is not a public figure by practice.

“He did a very good presentation and when you are spending that much money, man, you have got to be right on the ball,” Fyrk said.

The size and diversity of the company was also compelling to the council.

“I don’t want to venture a guess what they are spending out there,” Fyrk said. “But the thing is, they are so diversified in everything.”

The company likes Prince Albert and he described region as fair and easygoing, and they operate as such.

Trio plans to have people in the offices by March or April of 2022, with 15 to 20 people in the building the first year with more in the second year.

“It is going to be 50 to 70 jobs all located right here in the RM of Buckland and in the City of Prince Albert so it’s a good spin off,” Fyrk said.

Campling explained to council that the company is a large supporter of bringing business to Prince Albert and area and the large aviation related companies in the region. He outlined the overall plans for the large building, making it a head office for the companies and space for 53 North Air Sales and Leasing, while adding tenants to the building in the future.

He described the company’s goal as trying to find things that are fun. There are plans for a few helicopter ports but that will be in the future.

The presentation outlined how the company plans to work with the municipality

“(He said) Tell us what your regulations were and I can do it and they are ready to follow all of the government regulations like on their fuel tanks and fire control and all. It’s a win-win situation all the way around,” Fyrk said.

The presentation included a booklet with biographies of the people with the company, objectives, future plans, and satellite views of the site,

Also present were other representatives of the company including Chief Financial Officer Denis Blain, Controller Vicki MacPherson and shareholder and representative of 53 North Air Sales Brad Huculiak.

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

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