News and Storiesuuid:ac5ab32a-61b3-e211-9041-00155d03720b;6384033960000000002024-01-08T19:40:00Zuuid:6b557c09-5eae-ee11-92bd-6045bd7e7b0d;638403403600000000Sparking a New Chapter for Parks and Recreation in Saskatchewan<p><strong><em>A special message from our new President to kick off the new year! </em></strong></p>
2024-01-08T19:40:00Z2024-01-08T19:52:40ZDarcy McLeoduuid:88109081-729b-ee11-a81c-000d3a7c0e6c;638403323460000000Communities in Bloom – Now is the Time! Communities in Bloom (CiB) is entering its 27th year being coordinated by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA). This volunteer led and partnership-driven community economic development program has a measurable, predictable and accountable return on investment. Why else should you get involved this year? Read on to find out!
2024-01-02T14:30:00Z2024-01-08T17:39:06ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:886f5a3d-959e-ee11-92bd-6045bd7e7b0d;638386046990000000Regional Recreation Practitioner Program Connects Communities<p>Recreation practitioners are some of the most well-connected people in your community. It is a role that is more than the operation of facilities and delivery of programs. They are community builders. They are quality-of-life specialists. Collaboration simply comes with the gig!</p>
2023-12-19T17:34:00Z2023-12-19T17:44:59ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:14bed7da-d783-ee11-a81c-000d3adfc497;638356737390000000Randy Durovick: Reflecting on 27+ Years of Recreation Dedication<p>For the past 27 years, SPRA has been fortunate to have the tireless leadership, innovation, and dedication of Randy Durovick on our Team. Although we are sad to be losing his passion and extensive knowledge of our recreation industry, we join Randy in celebrating his retirement on November 30, 2023, and the exciting prospect of his full-time 'life of leisure.'<br>
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2023-11-15T16:53:00Z2023-11-15T19:35:39ZKaren Houseuuid:98266de6-c383-ee11-a81c-000d3adfc497;638356563020000000Representing Saskatchewan on the Hill<p>Jody Boulet, past SPRA President, and I were honoured to represent Saskatchewan at the <a href="https://cpra.ca/" target="_blank">Canadian Parks and Recreation Association</a> (CPRA) Advocacy Day on the Hill in Ottawa on October 17, 2023. </p>
2023-11-15T14:19:00Z2023-11-15T14:45:02ZTodd Shaferuuid:7f664d8f-1583-ee11-a81c-000d3adfc497;638355890380000000Nationwide Workshop Ignites Gender Equity Conversations in Saskatchewan<p>SPRA recently hosted a Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) workshop in partnership with the City of Saskatoon, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Our goal was to bring together a diverse group of industry representatives to meet on<em> Inclusion in Action - Gender Equity in Recreation and Parks. </em><br>
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2023-11-14T14:36:00Z2023-11-14T20:03:58ZKristin Bialobzyskiuuid:c2f615c1-b872-ee11-a81c-6045bd7c7e5a;638337822580000000Forever...in motion Celebrates 10 Years in Regina!I was honoured to attend the Regina Forever…in motion 10th Anniversary celebration on October 13th at the Mâmawêyatitân Centre, along with my colleagues Candace Yuhasz and Maeve McKinnon.
2023-10-26T14:00:00Z2023-10-24T22:10:58ZKelsey Michalukuuid:d7ed752d-3214-ee11-a81c-000d3ae6067b;638237520350000000Sask’s Great Outdoors Have Something for Everyone! <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-family:"Ubuntu",sans-serif">Written by </span></i><i><span style="font-family:"Ubuntu",sans-serif">Sask Lotteries Communications Staff.</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px">No matter the season and no matter what weather Mother Nature has in store, there’s always something to learn about or to do in Saskatchewan’s great outdoors.<br>
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<a href="https://saskoutdoors.org/" target="_blank">That’s where SaskOutdoors steps in</a>, or rather out.</p>
2023-06-26T14:50:00Z2023-06-30T20:00:35ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:0982a0fd-5801-ee11-a81c-000d3ae6067b;638216784740000000Creating 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusive Communities in Saskatchewan's Parks and Recreation Industry <p><em>Written by Dallas Burnett.</em></p>
2023-06-02T15:11:00Z2023-06-06T20:01:14ZDallas Burnettuuid:6e822f61-61e0-ed11-a81c-6045bdb11470;638176935980000000Volunteer Week 2023: Peter Nabholz<p>Volunteers are the very foundation of the parks and recreation industry, and April 16 - 22, 2023 is <strong><a href="https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=477" target="_blank">National Volunteer Week</a></strong>. This year's theme is "Volunteering Weaves Us Together," and we'd like to highlight the achievements of a volunteer that has worked for over 20 years to connect people to recreation in the Town of Moosomin: Peter Nabholz!</p>
2023-04-21T16:24:00Z2023-04-21T17:06:38ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:feee7664-2edd-ed11-a81c-6045bdb11470;638173407140000000Volunteer Week 2023: Terri-Lynn BeavereyeVolunteers are the very foundation of the parks and recreation industry, and April 16 - 22, 2023 is <strong><a href="https://volunteer.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=477" target="_blank">National Volunteer Week</a></strong>. This year's theme is "Volunteering Weaves Us Together," and we'd like to highlight the achievements of a volunteer that has worked for decades to connect people to recreation in Saskatchewan's north: Terri-Lynn Beavereye.
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2023-04-17T14:42:00Z2023-04-17T15:05:14ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:c6aead8e-b0b3-ed11-a81b-6045bd82bc9a;638131083240000000La Ronge Offers New Programming in Patterson Park<p><img alt="" src="/Blog/La-Ronge-Patterson-Park/Screenshot%202023-02-23%20135905.png" style="width: 388px; height: 288px;"></p>
2023-02-27T14:00:00Z2023-02-27T15:25:24ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:d88c48cc-d3a0-ed11-a81b-6045bd82bc9a;638131074900000000Impacts of Recreation Framework Funding on Northern Saskatchewan<p><img alt="" src="/Blog/framework-funding-impacts-sk-n-2023-01-30/20211018_143354.jpg" style="height: 275px; width: 367px;"></p>
2023-01-30T19:21:00Z2023-02-27T15:11:30ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:33cb87af-7997-ed11-a81c-0022484c9060;638097364480000000Are You Aligned with the Framework?Do you want to assess how your organization is aligning itself with the goals and priorities of the Framework for Recreation in Canada?
2023-01-18T21:45:00Z2023-01-19T14:47:28ZDan Gallagheruuid:06be83f0-568c-ed11-a81c-0022484c9060;638084509770000000Rediscover the Framework<p>Have you read A Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015: Pathways to Wellbeing recently? Are you familiar with its Goals and Priorities?</p>
2023-01-04T17:39:00Z2023-01-04T17:42:57ZDan Gallagheruuid:9381b4c4-014c-ed11-a81b-000d3ae2f6e8;638029363680000000Recreation Master Planning with RC Strategies<p><strong><em>How can a consulting firm help you develop a Recreation Master Plan for your community? </em></strong><strong><em>Read this story to find out!</em></strong></p>
2022-11-02T14:30:00Z2022-11-01T21:52:48ZDan Gallagheruuid:a6756aed-7a51-ed11-a81b-000d3a7abf65;638030947310000000Reconciliation in Parks and Recreation at Wanuskewin <p><strong>Written by Matt Johnson for the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association. </strong></p>
2022-11-01T17:22:00Z2022-11-03T17:52:11ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:1d3c4d72-8545-ed11-a81b-000d3ae2f6e8;638012078660000000A Partnership in Health: Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative<p><strong>One of the highlights of the past year has been our collaboration with the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI). </strong></p>
2022-10-06T14:35:00Z2022-10-12T21:44:26ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:649dea82-873b-ed11-97b0-0004ffa1cddd;637999821900000000Parks and Recreation Master Planning in the Battlefords<em><strong>What can a Recreation Master Plan do for your community? Read this story to find out!</strong></em>
2022-09-23T21:32:00Z2022-09-28T17:16:30ZDan Gallagheruuid:1f85c98d-ff17-ed11-b5cf-281878c02a29;637956707540000000How Changing Climate Will Impact Recreation and Parks<p><strong>And What We Can Do About It.</strong></p>
2022-08-09T16:17:00Z2022-08-09T19:39:14ZShannon Sherkuuid:cd7feaaf-4217-ed11-b5cf-281878c02a29;637955784130000000Congratulations on Your Retirement, Joanne Fikowski!Over the past three years, we have been tremendously fortunate to have <b>Joanne Fikowski</b> as part of our Team - and although we are sad that
she is leaving us, we share in her excitement as she retires this month.<p></p>
2022-08-08T17:48:00Z2022-08-08T18:00:13ZKaren Houseuuid:ee8fbcbb-cd06-ed11-b5cf-0003ff869016;6379385009600000005 Sun Smart Tips to Play it Safe Outside<p><em>This guest post is written by <strong>Natasha Istifo</strong>, a Masters of Public Health Student working with Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Sun Smart Saskatchewan!</em></p>
2022-07-18T18:00:00Z2022-07-19T17:54:56ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:c7e08344-04b1-ec11-826d-00155d99c3f9;637909885910000000Supply and Demand: Recreation Industry Reflects on Pandemic Popularity <p>It’s been an exciting 24 months for those selling recreation products in Saskatchewan!</p>
2022-06-15T15:02:00Z2022-06-16T15:03:11ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:fe532109-84ed-ec11-b5cf-0003ff8e0f8e;637909884970000000National Volunteer Week 2022: "Zamboni Brian" Pryhitka<p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">April 24-30, 2022 is National Volunteer Week, and we are celebrating the volunteers that create healthy, connected communities in Saskatchewan! </span></p>
<p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Volunteers like Brian Pryhitka of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.</span></p>
2022-04-25T14:48:00Z2022-06-16T15:01:37ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:4dd8ebd4-87a4-ec11-826d-00155d99c3f9;637907313350000000Pandemic Forces Adaptation for Adaptive Recreation<div class="well well-sm">Written by Matt Johnson for the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.</div>
2022-03-29T14:15:00Z2022-06-13T15:35:35ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:008d43b7-aca3-ec11-826d-00155d99c3f9;637828693730000000Congratulations on Your Retirement, Wendy McKellar!<p>After 37 years of working and contributing to Saskatchewan’s recreation industry, Wendy McKellar is beginning her new life of leisure! </p>
2022-03-14T15:36:00Z2022-03-14T15:42:53ZKaren Houseuuid:74dd9bd8-549e-ec11-826d-00155d99c3f9;637829519880000000Survey: Parks and Recreation Create a Sense of Belonging and Connection<div class="well well-sm">In January, we asked the Saskatchewan public how they felt about two statements we hoped would give us insight on the sense of belonging, welcome and community-building that parks and recreation spaces create.</div>
2022-03-07T20:08:00Z2022-03-15T14:39:48ZNancy Younguuid:69348772-9983-ec11-b820-00155d9971fc;637817476160000000The Benefits of Mentorship<p>Last fall, one of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s students was connected with one of SPRA’s Field Consultants in a mentorship placement as a part of an assignment in their Recreation and Tourism Management diploma program.</p>
2022-03-01T14:00:00Z2022-03-01T16:06:56ZClint McConnelluuid:4241c001-ba73-ec11-b820-00155d9971fc;637811381280000000Supporting Seniors' Mental and Physical Health in Rosetown <div class="well well-sm">The Canadian Mental Health Association - Saskatchewan Branch (CMHA-SK) and Forever...in <em>motion </em>are supporting the mental and physical health of seniors in Rosetown!</div>
2022-02-22T14:30:00Z2022-02-22T14:48:48ZKelsey Michalukuuid:4a73bb62-3264-ec11-b820-00155d99b809;637805329350000000Assessing Community Recreation in Rosthern<div class="well well-sm">In the spring of 2020, the SPRA Framework in Action Grant awarded nearly $50,000 to support community initiatives that showed alignment with one of the five goals of the Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015 – Pathways to Wellbeing. The town of Rosthern was one of 12 communities that received funding through this grant program.</div>
2022-02-15T14:00:00Z2022-02-15T14:42:15ZDan Gallagheruuid:2627b66f-2985-ec11-b821-00155d9971fc;637842477930000000‘I've seen a lot of friendships built through this program’: Moose Jaw Newcomer Welcome Centre helping unify a community<div class="well well-sm">This year on International Women's Day, we want to celebrate an organization that is improving the lives of women and girls who are newcomers to Saskatchewan.<br />
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Written by Matt Johnson for the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.</div>
2022-02-08T14:00:00Z2022-03-30T14:36:33ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:2d83d79d-1064-ec11-b820-00155d99b809;637792385900000000Disc Golf is Taking Flight in Melfort<div class="well well-sm">In the spring of 2020, the SPRA Framework in Action Grant awarded nearly $50,000 to support community initiatives that showed alignment with one of the five goals of the <em>Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015 – Pathways to Wellbeing</em>. The City of Melfort was one of twelve communities that received funding in 2020.</div>
2022-02-01T16:41:00Z2022-01-31T15:09:50ZDan Gallagheruuid:8f21f154-a982-ec11-b820-00155d9971fc;637792395220000000Remembering William Russell “Butch” Green<div class="well well-sm">We would like to take a moment to remember the life and legacy of William Russell “Butch” Green, who passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on November 26, 2021, in Vancouver, British Columbia.</div>
2022-01-31T15:20:00Z2022-01-31T15:25:22ZKaren Houseuuid:7f6fc77c-5c75-ec11-b820-00155d9971fc;637786307800000000John Froese - A Driving Force Behind Saskatchewan’s Parks and Recreation Industry <div class="well well-sm">SPRA proudly recognizes John Froese of Swift Current, Saskatchewan with the 2021 President’s Award of Distinction.</div>
2022-01-24T14:00:00Z2022-01-24T14:19:40ZAndrew Exelbyuuid:0d92ecb5-2664-ec11-b820-00155d99b809;637783035220000000Preserving Kerrobert's Volunteer Legacy<div class="well well-sm">In the spring of 2020, the SPRA Framework in Action Grant awarded nearly $50,000 to support community initiatives that showed alignment with one of the five goals of the Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015 – Pathways to Wellbeing. The town of Kerrobert was one of 12 communities that received funding from the Framework in Action Grant.</div>
2022-01-20T14:00:00Z2022-01-20T19:25:22ZDan Gallagheruuid:75aba74d-585f-ec11-a3ee-00155d998fb5;637770766540000000Funding Inclusive Outdoor Programs in North Battleford<div class="well well-sm">In the spring of 2020, the SPRA Framework in Action Grant awarded nearly $50,000 to support community initiatives that showed alignment with one of the five goals of the <em>Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015 – Pathways to Wellbeing</em>. The City of North Battleford was one of 12 communities that received funding and successfully offered outdoor education programs for families. </div>
2022-01-04T14:30:00Z2022-01-06T14:37:34ZDan Gallagheruuid:885b4dbc-4b5f-ec11-a3ee-00155d998fb5;637753551580000000New Recreation Facility Wows in Weyburn<div class="well well-sm">We interviewed Andrew Crowe, Director of Leisure Services for the City of Weyburn, to learn more about the brand new Credit Union Spark Centre!</div>
2021-12-17T15:09:00Z2021-12-17T16:25:58ZDan Gallagheruuid:676596a4-dd56-ec11-a3ee-00155d99a6b8;637744874170000000Survey: Recreation Empowers Saskatchewan Youth to Succeed<div class="well well-sm">The results are in from our latest survey!</div>
2021-12-07T15:00:00Z2021-12-07T15:23:37ZCarolyn Bates-Hardyuuid:113d563b-d022-ec11-b76a-00155d99b24e;637687044700000000Connecting Truth and Reconciliation with Parks and Recreation<div class="well well-sm">In this blog post Courtney Saboe, former Summer Program Development Assistant with SPRA, considers the intersections between the recreation and parks industry and Truth and Reconciliation.</div>
2021-10-01T15:06:00Z2021-10-01T17:01:10ZCourtney Saboeuuid:42dcb97f-f11b-ec11-b76a-00155d99b24e;637680061950000000SPRA Welcomes Mathew Rathwell to Our Team<div class="well well-sm">We have a new addition to our Team at SPRA!</div>
2021-09-23T14:00:00Z2021-09-23T15:03:15ZKaren House