Come Grow With Us!

Goals & Achievements

Focused on Growth

The Town of Redvers is continually striving to provide high quality services to their residents.

Future Goals & Potential Projects

The Town of Redvers Council and staff are always looking for opportunities to engage our residents. Here are some ideas that are being considered for the future:

  • EV Charger: Redvers would like to become a leader in the south east corner by seeking grants to install an EV Charger on the Tourism grounds. Having a charger in our community would increase the flow of traffic therefore tourists, and our businesses would benefit as a result. A few grants have been applied for to date, but unfortunately they were not successful.
  • Remembrance Day Banners: Remembrance Day deserves a longer celebration than a few weeks between Halloween and Christmas. The Town is going to offer Remembrance Day Banners for sponsorship, for those who would like to support the holiday or those who want to commemorate a veteran. These banners would be displayed from mid-October to mid-November annually.

Achievements

2024

  • Water Treatment Plant Upgrade: The federal government officially announced the winners of the ICIP Grant, and the Town of Redvers was able to inform residents about our Water Treatment Plant Upgrade! A pilot project will determine the right type of filtration for our water. Engineering plans were drawn as well as tendering the construction of our facility addition. C.A.O. Tricia Pickard is the lead on this project, working with BCL Engineering.
  • Rural Transit Solutions: We were awarded $200,000.00 for the purchase of a new transit van. Council is taking steps to ensure our assets stay current, and that there is viable resale value in our current assets. The new van will be ordered and purchased by 2025. Assistant C.A.O. Jena Cowan applied for this grant.
  • Saskatchewan Senior Mechanism Grant: The Town of Redvers developed a program called “Senior Support Sessions” which will give local seniors the tools they need to stay living at home as long as possible. SSM calls this “aging in place”. The Redvers Public Library along with 8 guest instructors held weekly sessions on various topics from May-July. We were awarded $3,605.00 to run the 12 week program, and purchase a laptop, projector, and an 100″ screen for the library to keep permanently. Assistant C.A.O. Jena Cowan applied for this grant.
  • Street Light Grant: The Town of Redvers has been on a streak of successful grant applications! Assistant C.A.O. Jena Cowan applied to the SGI Traffic Safety Fund, the same grant that funded our Highway Crosswalk, to install a street light at the intersection of Highway 8 and Railway Avenue. This will be fully covered, costing $2,220.01.
  • Bloom Committee: The Town of Redvers called for volunteers to form a Bloom Committee. Town Maintenance, summer students, or contractors have been caring for the town’s flowers every summer. Although this is sufficient, Redvers would like to become a tourist attraction, and through beautification, including our flowers and trees, this will become possible. The Town would like to engage with the committee to make a careful maintenance plan for public landscaping, as well as teach our residents about proper care of their plants, flowers, and trees. This group is led by a knowledgeable mentor: Sandie Quennelle, of Quennelle’s Greenhouse in Wauchope, SK. A collaboration of staff and residents will be the key to making Redvers memorable to those who visit, and bring pride to those who reside here.
  • Hancock Lot & The Redvers Lions: The Redvers Lions Club generously donated funds for the installation of an accessible sidewalk entry to this public park, as well as a wheelchair accessible picnic table, and ramp access to the existing gazebo.
  • Redvers Homecoming: Facing a Canada Day that was slowly shrinking, Town administration took the initiative to revitalize Canada Day in Redvers. In what is hoped to be an annual event, Redvers Homecoming was born. This will be a multi day event, on or as close to Canada Day as possible. It is jam packed with family friendly activities during the day, and entertainment in the evenings. This includes tournaments, the parade, fireworks, live music, a DJ, beer gardens, food trucks, a car show, toonie swimming, a trade show, and many kids events and activities. This is a collaborative event, that was a product of the newly formed Collaboration Meetings. Together with our volunteers, this event is being thrown by the Town of Redvers, Redvers & District Recreation Centre, and Redvers Tourism. Many of our organizations are playing key roles in keeping the event running smoothly.
  • Public Use AED: An application for funding was submitted to Steel Reef for the installation of an outdoor public use AED. They covered the entire cost, which was $11,614.38. It was installed in August 2024.
  • Speed Radar Grant: Another successful application to the SGI Public Traffic Safety Fund for $29,613.69 and seven radar signs were installed in and surrounding Redvers.

2023

  • Well Decommissioning: While completing research required for the Second Water Source Project, it was discovered that the Town of Redvers had several wells registered with the Water Security Agency, most of which were no longer in use. Assistant C.A.O. Jena Cowan applied for $3,672.80 to pay for the unused wells to be properly decommissioned.
  • Occupational Health & Safety: A surprise visit from OH&S personnel shocked staff by informing them that we had 3 months to develop and implement an OH&S program, committee, and procedures within our municipality. Previously, no groundwork was in place. The Town of Redvers admin and maintenance successfully met this deadline, surpassed the minimum requirements, and continues to ensure that safety in the workplace is monitored, documented, discussed, and followed.
  • Re-Branding Continued: Inspired by surrounding communities, Redvers administration worked with Brandon Source for Sports to create merchandise containing the new logo, as well as a new retro looking alternate logo. The community spirit in Redvers is notable, and now our residents can represent our municipality with pride.
  • What’s Happening This Week: Inspired by the Town of Carnduff, Accounting Assistant Raylene Gordon developed and continually creates a weekly “What’s Happening” flyer to post on our social media pages. Each week on Sunday, residents can see the events scheduled for the week ahead. This includes events, deadlines, sports, and library programming.
  • TSS Grant Initiative: C.A.O. Tricia Pickard successfully applied for $43,295.25 towards a $58,477.00 feasibility study, conducted on the Recreation Centre. Together with Town Council, the R.M. of Antler, and the Recreation Board, the study was completed and findings presented to all parties. Having this information was key to planning for the future of recreation in Redvers, serving not only our residents, but the surrounding municipalities as well.
  • Highway Crosswalk: Assistant C.A.O. Jena Cowan applied for $52,242.00, from the SGI Traffic Safety Fund and the Government of Saskatchewan. A push button highway crosswalk was installed at the intersection of Broadway Street and Highway 13, ensuring our residents, including students at the adjacent K-12 school, could cross the highway safely. The grant application was successful, covering the full cost of the project.
  • Beautification: This year Council decided to prioritize beautification. Administration organized and picked up the purchase of 65 new tall planters, to remain out permanently, to be used for memory pots in the summer and made into seasonal arrangements in the winter. In continuance with beautification, Council approved the purchase of new cement planters and self watering planters for the boulevards of Broadway Street. New banners were designed and purchased, and installed down Broadway Street for a cohesive aesthetic.
  • New Resident/Business Packages: Administrative Assistant Dayna Germain developed two separate welcome packages. New residents are presented a polished combination of the most updated information they will need to know as a new resident. New businesses are presented with a similar package geared toward everything they need to know about joining our business community, and resources they may utilize to make their transition to Redvers as smooth as possible.
  • Maintenance Mapping: Each year the maintenance team spends the first few weeks of their summer showing our summer students the areas that the town is responsible to maintain. Even living in Redvers, a resident can simply be unaware of spaces cared for by the Town. This year, a map was developed for maintenance to utilize in training. This outlines each area within our town boundary which need to be cared for. This allows for quick direction, and avoids confusion. The map is also helpful to administrative staff, to be familiar with the areas which our team may be working in, for OH&S purposes.
  • Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: The Town of Redvers WON the ICIP lottery, and was awarded $4,517,128.00 to use towards our $6,160,000.00 Water Treatment Plan upgrade! Many meetings for planning with our engineers have begun, and a company has been tendered to complete the pilot project in spring 2024. C.A.O. Tricia Pickard was the lead in this application.
  • Access Communications: The Town of Redvers secured a sponsorship from Access to install FREE wifi at the Recreation Centre. This also means that we will be able to install Live Barn.
  • Cyber Security: As the first step of digitizing files had been established in 2022, Council decided to ensure the security of our files by installing a fire wall. This is encrypted, insuring our residents data is protected. It will also block any threatening links, websites, and emails from accessing our server.
  • Drainage Projects: Research was conducted on how to solve problem areas in respect to drainage. Inquiries were sent to multiple companies for means to level high spots in our streets, which would remedy the pooling water. This is a costly endeavor and it will be considered for the 2024 budget.
  • Mass Notification System: After trials, meetings, and quotes with several tech companies, the Town of Redvers signed a contract with H2Safety, for use of their mass notification system H2Notify. This allows instant mass text messages to be sent to our residents. It will be used for information, deadlines, and emergency information. This is a one way service, so you can not text back to the notification.
  • Hometown History: A project recognizing residents for their Athletic Achievements and/or Community Impact. Highway signs and in-town signs are available for sponsorship, and nominations can be made annually. This project also includes a town-wide beautification project, which includes the installation of public benches, trash cans, and dog waste stations.
  • Accessible Playground Project: There are two public park spaces within the Town of Redvers that are currently being under-utilized. The Hancock Lot, on the corner of Carlton Street and Souris Avenue, currently is home to a public gazebo. Larsen Park, located on Warren Street South, behind the Advantage Co-op Hardware store, has been designated as a public playground. The play structures installed there have not held up to mother nature. A quote was obtained from 1Stop Playgrounds for the installation of two commercial grade compact accessible playgrounds. The quote is approximately $80,000.00 for both, installed. Currently the Town of Redvers is applying for several grants to bring this project to life in 2025. In 2024, Affinity Credit Union has donated $5,000.00 and Kingston Midstream has donated $12,000.00.
  • Communities in Bloom: In 2024 we have started a Bloom Committee, in hopes that residents would aid our staff in ensuring our flowers thrive. After a visit from CIB Committee to evaluate our community, landscaping advice will be provided. This includes planting potentially hundreds of trees on Town land, as well as ensuring our current flowers reach their full potential. Ideas are welcome, including community flower beds and community gardens. Our first year having a Bloom Committee was a huge success, thanks to our resident volunteers. Our flowers have never looked better, and we have the committee to thank for that!

2022

  • Staff Shift: Two long term employees, Bonnie Rutten and Michael Zelionka, both retired in 2022. Within the span of a few months, Assistant Foreman Dwight Jorgensen was made Foreman, and Assistant C.A.O. Tricia Pickard was made Chief Administrative Officer. Jena Cowan, previously Secretary, was promoted to Assistant C.A.O. New staff were hired in both the office and maintenance, with everyone learning and adjusting to new roles and responsibilities.
  • Established Collaboration Meetings: A quarterly meeting where all organizations and businesses can communicate, work together, share ideas, and plan for upcoming local events.
  • Re-Branding: Town Council passed a new design for their official logo. The goal was to modernize. The town’s website theme was updated, and slowly our visual presence converted over to the new logo and colour combinations. New emails were created with a clear understanding of who is communicating, with the employee name followed by @townofredvers.ca. Council was given formal emails for official communications.
  • Online Presence: Today it is impossible to deny that the online world and social media are a fact of life. Not only this, but it is turning into a requirement to keep up with your demographics. A focus was set on improving our online presence, creating Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts to accompany our existing Facebook page.
  • Digital Sign: A presentation package was developed within the administration office, and presented to Council, being approved. The goal is to place a double sided digital sign on the existing “Town Sign” at the intersection of Broadway Street and Highway 13. By the end of the year, businesses and organizations had been sent a sponsorship package in hopes of bringing this idea to fruition.
  • File Digitization: Not only does digitizing historical files help with storage space, it also ensures security of documents that are required to be retained permanently are stored safely in our network drive.
  • Eco-Centre: After several rounds of negotiations with the Redvers Activity Centre, Council offered use of their land for the new location of the Eco-Centre, where used oil and antifreeze can be recycled.
  • Internal Policies: While many policies were simply understood by the Staff and Council, they had yet been formalized in writing and passed with a resolution of Council. Until this was done, none of these policies were in effect. A complete employee handbook, as well as almost 30 individual policies were written, and started the lengthy process of presentation to Council. By the end of 2023, all written policies will be in effect.
  • Second Water Source: The Water Security Agency informed the staff that a town of our size should have two, if not three, water sources. At this time, we had one. The Canada Community Building Fund, previously known as the Gas Tax Fund, approved our application to install a second water source. In 2022, the project began, and a second water source well was drilled. C.A.O. Tricia Pickard was awarded $578,312.36 towards this $675,000.00 project.
  • Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: The ICIP Grant is known to municipalities as “winning the lottery”. Although it is not a guarantee, administration, led by C.A.O. Tricia Pickard, developed a detailed 140 page application, and submitted it for this federal and provincial grant. The project applied for was a Water Treatment Upgrade.
  • New Horizons for Seniors Grant: To benefit the seniors in our community, a grant was applied for to provide transit services free of charge for several months. This grant was awarded, written by Accounting Assistant Raylene Gordon, and we received $13, 519.00 to help our seniors complete their everyday errands and medical appointments, but also excursions to attractions outside of Redvers.