During Weyburn City Council's regular meeting tonight, Council approved the land transfer from the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division for the former Haig School property.

The transfer had already been approved by the school board and, after a planning phase, it will be used by the City most likely for recreation.

City Manager Mathew Warren said the City of Weyburn Leisure Services Department would develop the site as new multi-use park space to offer the community a wide variety of inclusive and easily accessible outdoor recreational opportunities. As the property is situated within a Residential Semi-Detached Zone (R2), these plans would be permitted once approved by City Council and would fit the surrounding area. 

He also said that the site development plan needs to be determined as further consultation and assessment will be required to ensure that future investments meet the needs and wants of the community. Ample time will also be required to properly plan and budget for larger capital investments that may have substantial costs associated with their construction. 

Early considerations of what may be included in the new recreation site could be, Warren explained, to maintain and upgrade the five existing ball diamonds, create a modified cricket pitch, outdoor sport court and winter skating pad, community garden plots, pump track, or another feature amenity, additional lighting, irrigation and landscaping as deemed necessary, and/or a parking area to serve the new site and existing Don Mitchell Park.

"To accommodate and fund the project will need a partnership with other community groups, we'll have to access grant funding and seek out other sponsorship opportunities," noted Warren. "For all remaining construction annual site meeting costs will be within the parks budget on our annual basis."

City Councilor Jeff Richards said he's happy to have the piece of property in the City's inventory, and that while he had some concerns about budgets going forward at all levels, he appreciated the City Manager's explanation about the process of planning taking at least a full year, with any development taking the City's budget process into 2024 at the earliest. 

Three new Library Board members were approved during the meeting as well, Jasmine Fedak, Carley Istace, and Cheryl Mahoney. Council also approved the addition of Karla Kennedy to take Verna O'Neill's place on the Weyburn Walk of Fame Committee for the remainder of her term. 

Councilor Jeff Richards extended thanks to those who sit on our many committees.

Read the full details in the Council Agenda HERE.