Waskesiu Newsletter May 2005

Newsletter May 2005

Council Chair Message

Your elected community council has been very busy during the past year working on new initiatives and striving to maintain our utility costs at an affordable level. Probably the new website (www.waskesiu.org) has had the greatest impact on Waskesiu in terms of sharing timely information with seasonal residents and the promotion of activities and services.

Waskesiu Community Council -

Update on Future Governance for Waskesiu

The Waskesiu Community Council is continuing to explore the possibility of securing municipal status for Waskesiu within the context of the National Parks Act. Both Banff and Jasper have secured such status. The Council and Parks Canada are working to determine the benefits and pitfalls such an arrangement may have for Waskesiu. Talks are very much in the exploratory stage in order to secure good information for the community to consider.

A banner year for Waskesiu.org.

Total hits for the first full year of operations ending on March 31, 2005 reached 2.95 million. Interest continues to grow with new advertisers coming on stream. Total hits for the first three months of 2005 were 830,000, indicating huge growth for this calendar year.

2005 Budworm Spray Program

Parks Canada, in consultation with the Community Council, has approved a third year of BTK aerial spraying to control the spruce budworm infestation.

Park Management Planning Underway

During the summer and fall of 2004, the public provided input into Prince Albert National Park's scoping document. The draft scoping document is available for public review and a consultative process will begin with Parks Canada during the spring of 2005. The scoping document guides the preparation of the management plan.

Arbour Day - September 4, 2005

Make plans with your family to participate in the 3rd Annual program to help beautify our Park. Over the last two years we have planted 225 trees in an effort to promote new growth amidst the aging forest that we love so much.

We want this to be a family event for young and old, so make plans to join us for this fun event. We are always looking for suggestions about beautifying our park so if you have ideas please pass them on to any members of the Community Council.

Parks Canada receives additional funding commitment!

Parks Canada has indicated that on a national level it would take $140 million annually to maintain its current infrastructure asset base. Last year it budgeted $40 million. The 2005 Budget recently announced includes a phased in re-investment to Parks Canada infrastructure assets of $209 million over five years.

Parks Canada Media Release

Changes in PANP - Autumn 2005

Parks Canada recently announced PANP Superintendent, Mr. Rod Blair, will join Waterton Lakes National Park as the Field Unit Superintendent effective September 2005.

Rod joined Prince Albert National Park in 2003 and has worked hard to build relationships with residents, business owners and park visitors.

Community Council Commentary on Superintendent Blair Leaving

Parks Canada’s announcement that Superintendent Rod Blair will be moving to Waterton National Park effective in September is most unwelcome news for the Prince Albert National Park community. Rod Blair came to the Park in May 2003 to deal with a very difficult management situation.

Waskesiu Community Council

Don Ravis – Chair – donravis@waskesiu.org

Herve Langlois – Vice Chair – hervelanglois@waskesiu.org

Nancy Wood Archer – nancyarcher@waskesiu.org

Al Ross – alross@waskesiu.org

Peter Strawson – peterstrawson@waskesiu.org

Wayne Simpson – waynesimpson@waskesiu.org

Bryan Matheson – bryanmatheson@waskesiu.org

Special Events - Waskesiu 2005

For the first time, the Community Council has established a Special Events Committee.

Our mission is to create and maintain a strong sense of community through annual events, concerts, and other social activities. Nancy Wood Archer is heading up the committee for 2005/06. Currently we are working on a community effort to "Celebrate Saskatchewan".

Waskesiu Centennial Festival Calendarl