The Saskatchewan Municipal Awards celebrate the innovative practices of Saskatchewan’s municipal governments. Four innovative projects from 10 municipalities are being recognized in the 18th Annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards. This year’s winners have shown excellence in sustainable land stewardship, accessibility, cooperation, and addressing community needs. The winners of the 18th Annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards are:
Top Municipal Initiative: Bredenbury Community Daycare (Town of Bredenbury)
To address the lack of childcare options for residents, the town has established a licensed, town-owned daycare. This initiative not only supports families already living in the community and surrounding areas but also encourages new families to move here. The old school was renovated to house the daycare center, the firehall, the Lions Club, and private businesses.
Top Rural Municipal Initiative: RM of Enniskillen Grazing Project (RM of Enniskillen No. 3)
The RM acquired a section of land along the Souris River, initially for gravel extraction, but with a vision for its potential as pastureland. A fence has been erected, and a community grazing plan has been developed. This innovative project is one of the first of its kind, and future plans include offering pasture tours for school groups and other interested parties. These tours will educate visitors on carbon sequestration, regenerative agriculture, animal impact, stock density, and soil armor.
Top Urban Municipal Initiative: Plewis Automative Group Inclusive Park (City of Swift Current)
Through collaboration with experts and community members, the city created an inclusive park designed according to the seven principles of Universal Play. The park is a welcoming space for all community members, featuring accessible amenities like symbol communication boards, double-wide ramps, the Sway Fun Wheelchair glider, braille panels, multiple swings including a wheelchair-accessible bucket swing, a sensory play center, and more.
Regional Cooperation: Fire Chief Collaboration/School, EMO Committee, and CSO Program (Twin Rivers District: Towns of Duck Lake, Hauge, Hepburn, Rosthern, and Waldheim and the RM’s of Rosthern No. 403 and Duck Lake No. 463)
The seven municipalities of the Twin Rivers District have worked together on three major initiatives to provide essential municipal services to their region. These initiatives enhance professional human resources, ensuring competent and proactive management of Fire and Rescue Services, the Emergency Measures Organization, and a Community Safety Officer program. Through shared responsibility and strong inter-municipal partnerships, the municipalities have created multiple successful, cost-sharing programs that directly address the needs of the region.
The winning projects were selected by the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards Committee who reviewed 12 nominations, submitted on behalf of 34 municipalities in Saskatchewan.
Each year, the awards committee is made up of partners from the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), New North, the Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association of Saskatchewan (RMAA), the Urban Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan (UMAAS), and the Ministry of Government Relations.
The 2024 selection committee members are:
Keith Comstock, Executive in Residence at the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy;
Christine Dyck, former Administrator for the RM of Lost River and Town of Allen;
Malcolm Eaton, former Mayor of Humboldt and former Vice-President of Cities for SUMA;
Wendy Gowda, Municipal Advisor, former Administrator for the RM of LeRoy No. 339 and Past President of RMAA;
Harvey Malanowich, Reeve of RM of Sliding Hills No. 273 and former SARM Board Member; and
Jim Toye, former City Manager for the City of Prince Albert.
Selection committee members observed that many of the nominated projects made an impact by addressing essential community needs. Initiatives fostered a sense of unity and empowerment among the citizens by targeting specific local challenges.
The winners of the 18th Annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards will be highlighted in ceremonies at the upcoming SARM and SUMA Conventions:
SARM Annual Convention and Tradeshow
Prairieland Park, 503 Ruth Street West, Saskatoon
Thursday, March 13 at 11:15 a.m.
SUMA Annual Convention and Tradeshow
TCU Place, 35 – 22nd Street East, Saskatoon
Tuesday, April 15 at 2:40 p.m.
Winner videos will be available on April 17 at www.youtube.com/@SaskMunicipalAwards
For more information, visit www.municipalawards.ca or contact:
Stephanie Bourassa
Program Coordinator, Saskatchewan Municipal Awards
306-525-4318
To arrange an interview with a winning municipality, contact:
Top Municipal Initiative: Bredenbury Community Daycare (Town of Bredenbury)
Kim Varga, Administrator
(306) 740-7325
Top Rural Municipal Initiative: RM of Enniskillen Grazing Project (RM of Enniskillen No. 3)
Pamela Bartlett, Administrator and Project Manager
(306) 483-2277
Top Urban Municipal Initiative: Plewis Automative Group Inclusive Park (City of Swift Current)
Nicole Spenst, Project Coordinator
(306) 778-2787
Regional Cooperation: Fire Chief Collaboration/School, EMO Committee, and CSO Program (Twin Rivers District: Towns of Duck Lake, Hauge, Hepburn, Rosthern, and Waldheim and the RM’s of Rosthern No. 403 and Duck Lake No. 463)
Guylaine Green, Administrator for the Twin Rivers District
(306) 648-8004
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