The Huskies beat the Hawks 8-3 in Game 2 of the best of three games series played in Davidson March 23.
ARWF casts about for trout pond site
DAVIDSON—The town’s former compost depot could be the home of Davidson’s new trout pond.
At its meeting March 17, town council gave Arm River Wildlife Federation (ARWF) the OK to study the land near the Gymkhana riding arena to see if it is suitable for a fishing pond.
The wildlife federation will now consult with environment officials to see if water that will drain into the potential pond will support fish. The concern is that due to the location’s proximity to Highway 11, salt and other de-icing chemicals could contaminate the water and kill fish stocks.
This seems to be the only obstacle standing in the way of Arm River Wildlife Federation’s objective of building a trout pond in Davidson.
In February, the group approached Davidson town council with the idea of building a trout pond for recreational use. The wildlife federation will dig and organize the creation of the pond if the town had a parcel of municipal reserve land for the purpose.
The pond would be about one acre in size with a minimum depth of 20 feet. ARWF will also stock the pond and set limits.
Town administrator Gary Edom said he contacted SGI and was informed that the town’s current liability insurance policy would cover the trout pond and that additional insurance is unnecessary.
“These guys (ARWF) are pretty excited,” Edom said.
Councillors said feedback they’ve received from the public, for the most part, has been positive to the idea about providing people with the opportunity to spend time outdoors, bonding and experiencing the thrill of catching a fish.
“What I like about it is, I take so many kids fishing who never get to go…It’s such a huge thing for development,” Mayor Clayton Schneider said.
Coun. Mandy Tichit said people expressed concerns to her over safety and the possibility that children could drown.
If the trout pond proceeds, Schneider said council has to try and address these issues by doing its due diligence to minimize risks.
“These are our kids. They are precious,” he said.
“I’ve had people say, ‘Whatever you do, don’t put it across the highway,’” Coun. Gerald Kenny said.
Meshke
Ruth Evelyn Meshke (née Stone)
Dec 10, 1925 – Mar 16, 2015
Ruth, the sixth child of Peter and Thea Stone of Strongfield stopped “galloping to 90” on March 16, 2015 after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her husband Mike Meshke of Craik, Sask on January 12, 1986.
Left to fight over “who Mom loved best” are her sons Gerry (Donna), Geoff (Val), Jim (Margo) and her daughter Jan (Ray). Leaving a void in their lives and left to reminisce are her siblings Marjorie, Jim, Maureen and many cousins. Her grandchildren, Riley, Ronna, Sean, Jaclyn, Leighton, Derek and Tyler will recall her intriguing stories, adventurous outings as well as miss her homemade cookies. There are also numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who will remember her warmly.
Now gathering dust are her crossword puzzles and scrabble board, fishing rod and golf clubs, bird feeders and pickle jars, knitting needles and crochet hooks.
While struggling with her pain, the doctor came in and asked “Ruth, do you know where you are?” Her vehement reply “It SURE isn’t paradise!” She left us with a wee smile on her face. Maybe she found her paradise? Gallop on Mom, gallop on!
A funeral service will be held at the Craik United Church on June 6, 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Craik United Church or the Craik Golf Club. Arrangements are entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask.
Physicians to tour health centre
By Kevin Gilby
CRAIK — Bert Linklater, Senior Vice President of Five Hills Health Region (FHHR), recently informed the staff of the Craik health centre and the community leaders that the interview process will begin shortly for the physician position in Craik.
According to Linklater, two of the physicians that responded to the job posting will begin an interview process that includes a tour of the facility, staff, and equipment. An exact date/time has yet to be finalized for that portion of the process but Linklater is confident it will be before then end of March.
Once the initial interview portion has been completed, the region will make a selection between the candidates. The applicants references will then be checked and their certifications verified through a more intensive interview process with the region’s Physician Advisory Board.
“Once we get to the offer stage, we want to introduce them to the community to meet and greet the candidate, and that would probably be even before they even accept the offer” Linklater says. “We want the town to impress them with why it’s a good reason to take this job.”
Linklater indicated that there may yet be other applicants as the position remains posted.
Linklater says “we’re happy to have two good candidates coming, to interview them, to have an opportunity to show them the facility, select one, make them an offer, and then if successful, we get them back into the community, that would be good.”
Peewee Huskies look to take down Winterhawks
DAVIDSON—The peewee Huskies last Wednesday beat the Watrous Winterhawks in Game1 of the best of three series for the B-side final.
Watrous had the first goal of the game less than three minutes into the first period. Hunter Herback, from Riley Berry, tied the score at 4:10 and then potted another a few minutes later, this time with help from Deiondre Boychuk, to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead. Nolan Allan padded the lead, unassisted to give the Huskies a 3-1 lead heading into the second period.
The Huskies came out scoring with Keegan Shaw, from Kade McConnell, scoring. The Winterhawks responded to close the gap to 4-2 for Davidson. With three minutes left in the period, Allan, from Phoenix Prpick, scored to give Davidson the 5-2 lead.
In the third period the Winterhawks came out scoring putting in two goals in the first two minutes of the period. Allan had his third goal of the game at the 10-minute mark to give the Huskies a 6-4 lead. The Winterhawks pulled their goalie in an effort to close the gap. Allan scored the empty netter for the 7-4 lead. The Winterhawks managed a goal with 13 seconds remaining but it wasn’t enough.
Game 2 of the best of three game series is set for Monday, March 23 in Davidson.
Staff shortage could mean reduced hours at pool
DAVIDSON—Swimmers should expect reduced hours at Davidson Swimming Pool this summer due to a shortage of staff.
As of last Wednesday, Davidson recreation director Trevor Ouellette said he has two lifeguards for next season and he’s received an application for the manager position.
The pool usually has eight lifeguards on its payroll. This helps with scheduling and allows the pool to be open on evenings and weekends.
With a staff of three, Ouellette said the pool’s hours would be limited to Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This will allow for lessons in the morning and public swimming in the afternoon.
To entice lifeguards to work at the pool Ouellette asked town council to increase wages of swim instructors.
“I have no problem increasing wages. It’s a niche job and they are looking after our kids’ lives,” Coun. Tyler Alexander said.
Mayor Clayton Schneider cautioned council that if wages for one sector of the town’s payroll increased, other workers would want a raise.
As it stands Ouellette said there are only four lifeguards in the community eligible to work under the junior program and two of those individuals do not want to. He said with a wage increase, it might attract senior lifeguards back to work at the pool.
The shortage in staff is due to the demographics of the region, which has a scarcity of teens aged 14 to 17. Another factor is the positive economy and some teens do not need to have a summer job or choose not to have one. A challenge, Ouellette said, is that some would prefer to spend their summer at leisure.
It’s put Davidson pool and other pools in local communities in a difficult position as they seek qualified lifeguards and instructors.