SASKATOON – Clashing hockey players and catcalls from the crowd are part of every prairie winter as each community’s pride takes to the ice.
But that sports rivalry is a barrier when towns must band together to survive. Two panel members raised it as a problem during a Nov. 2 forum held by the Saskat-chewan Council for Community Development.
“What happens in the stands is carried over into the communities,” said Joyce Brennan of Young, in discussing the Long Lake Regional Economic Development Authority. Her group found it needed to organize a social to build trust. At that supper representatives of the different towns, villages and municipalities relaxed and were able to work on a common agenda.
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Diane Birch of the Midlakes Community Coalition identified turf protection and competitiveness between communities as problems that are fed by sports rivalry.
They were two of several people outlining how their districts had decided to work together to ensure prosperity for all. Brennan said the Long Lake group believes in a philosophy of “lead, follow or get out of the way.”
The economic development group, which began as a provincial government initiative, is a catalyst and provides communities with tools and information so they can develop their potential as they see fit. She cited the Manitou Springs Hotel as one success. Another is providing support to a group of farmers who want to build an elevator.
Business started
Al Fuchs, of the Southwest Community Futures, said his project began with federal funding as one of 79 pilot projects in Western Canada trying to assist communities where there was high unemployment. During the past five years the project has helped 199 businesses get started, expand or be maintained; has created 427 jobs at an average cost of $3,000 to $6,000; and loaned $1.6 million with loan losses of only $26,000.
Not all results are so flashy. Darla Dorset of the West Central Municipal Government Committee said they operate on a simple basis.
“It’s just communication and the heart to want to help each other,” said Dorset, the mayor of Kindersley.
“We are very, very focused on what we want to accomplish and see one or two projects through before we go on.”
The West Central group started meeting three years ago after informal chats at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association meeting. Bob Tyler from the group said several communities began with joint purchases and sharing of town equipment, then studied how tax assessment is done in their area and what road versus rail requirements will be. They have set up standardized procedures for their fire departments, have their recreation directors meet regularly and co-ordinate recycling in the area.
