MLAs Column
The beginning of the new year is welcomed with joyous celebration and the anticipation of a year that will be filled with happiness and good fortune. It is also a time to reflect on the past year, the advancements and achievements, and also the determination exercised in meeting challenges.
It is an opportunity to reflect on this community we call home, and a time to appreciate all that is available to us in the Moose Jaw area through services, organizations, businesses, churches, museums, parks, cultural events and entertainment.
2017 started with national recognition during the Rogers’ Hometown Hockey event. We can recall how cold the temperature was, however, the warmth created by the hospitality of our community was a landmark portrayed across Canada.
Our community of Moose Jaw is a special place to call home with the number of events that build civic pride and concern for our fellow citizens. I am reminded of the ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ and the ‘Better Together’ Food Drive in support of the local Food Bank. There is also tremendous community assistance through the many churches and service organizations: the Kinsmen, Lions, Elks, Kiwanis, Eagles, Rotary, Legion, ANAVETS, Knights of Columbus and Shriners. We have special youth organizations such as the swim club, figure skating, dancing, theatre, minor sports, along with the Navy League and the Air, Army, and Sea Cadets.
Moose Jaw hosts numerous events throughout the year like the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame and the Warriors & Legends Hall of Fame, which last year inducted two former players and NHL greats, Ryan and Kevin Smyth. We have great organizations and volunteers that present the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, Moose Jaw Sidewalk Days, the Hometown Fair, and MOTIF.
Outstanding businesses and individuals are recognized through the Chamber of Commerce MJBEX Awards, Citizen and Group of the Year, and Prism Awards, each with their unique way of promoting good will achievement in our community. In 2017 we welcomed new developments like the Civic Centre Plaza, and, sadly, lost some historic community icons such as the Times-Herald. Perhaps the largest and most unique event of 2017 was the ‘One Horse Town’ concert that placed Moose Jaw as the most inimitable community in Canada. It was indeed a concert that highlighted our community spirit. So many other events also make Moose Jaw special like the number of classic car shows throughout the summer, Concerts in the Park, annual events that take place in Wakamow Valley and Crescent Park, and sports events like Miller Express baseball and Moose Jaw Warriors hockey.
Moose Jaw‘s colourful and historic past is portrayed in the Western Development Museum, Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, and the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village & Museum. Part of this infamous past is relived in the tunnel tours and by browsing through the unique shops in our downtown core.
Our community has a uniqueness that can be experienced at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, and in our first class Yara Centre for fitness, with its walking track and artificial turf field for frolic and fun with the whole family. Other community assets include the three golf courses within our city and the pride of our Moose Jaw, Mosaic Place, home of the Moose Jaw Ford Curling Centre and the Warriors.
It is heartwarming to reminisce on the events that took place in 2017 as we look forward with anticipation to a new and exciting year in Moose Jaw. Happy 2018!