MOOSE JAW — City hall’s parks and recreation branch has nearly $4 million in capital projects it plans to pursue this year, from upgrading library infrastructure to improving mechanical components at the Kinsmen Sportsplex.
City council approved the projects during its 2025 budget discussions. Presented below is a summary of those initiatives, which are valued at $3,778,214.
Wakamow Valley Authority will receive $33,917 as part of an annual grant matching program, which the organization uses to enhance buildings, outdoor recreation venues, pathways, parks and bridges.
The branch will spend $161,500 to upgrade the High Street West city complex’s mechanical and building components and replace the HVAC equipment. It will also spend $187,000 to build more offices to accommodate new staff.
At the library and art museum, $358,000 will help replace the boiler, $40,000 will help replace a roof section, $15,000 will support installing new sprinkler heads for fire suppression, and $10,100 will improve the cooling system.
The Crescent Park paddling pool has been shuttered since 2020 due to public health requirements, so this year, parks and rec will spend $23,630 to remove the concrete basin and re-landscape the area.
The branch will spend $64,544 to renew athletic fields and ball diamonds to ensure they remain safe and enjoyable and continue to meet standards for major events.
Furthermore, $50,000 will help install a cricket pitch to meet current demands.
The city will spend $20,000 to install a parking lot at the off-leash dog park, $58,000 to upgrade aging irrigation systems at Parkhill Park, Elgin Park and the northeast reservoir, and $181,803 for new playground amenities at Spring Creek, Fourth and Oxford, Veterans’ Peace Park and the 1996 Summer Games Park.
At Memorial Field, the city will use $123,995 in committed funding and $95,000 in new funding to construct a two-level sound booth, install and paint a new entrance fence, add aluminum bleaches, replace the dugouts and install protective netting in right field.
Furthermore, parks and rec will spend $193,435 on salaries and employer-paid benefits for employees who help deliver capital projects. Moreover, this overhead allocation covers 50 per cent of the city’s grant writer’s salary and employer-paid benefits.
Meanwhile, the branch will spend $50,000 on a condition assessment report to analyze the city’s 12 largest venues that have an average age of 62. The money will enable the branch to complete two to three condition assessments annually.
At Rosedale Cemetery, the city will use $7,453 in committed funding and $15,000 in new funding to continue upgrading the irrigation system. Moreover, $125,000 will replace the leaking crematorium roof.
With pathways, the branch will use $20,000 in carry-forward funding and $20,000 in new money to improve accessibility at the Main Street South and First Avenue Southeast intersection.
Further, it will use $61,460 in carry-forward funding and $35,000 in new funding to improve the pathway connection at Main Street North and Thatcher Drive and near the Kinsmen Sportsplex. Also, $20,000 will improve signs on trails and pathways.
Meanwhile, the branch will use $76,941 in committed money and $275,000 in new funding to finish paying for the energy sub-monitoring systems.
Also, the city will enhance accessibility in municipal venues and parks by using $252 in carry-forward money and $50,000 in new funding.
At the Kinsmen Arena, $33,067 in committed funding will restore the metal roof. Further, $2,277 in carry-forward money will upgrade the Wally Boschuk Arena roof, while $1,123 in carry-forward money will replace the Pla-Mor Palace’s hot water tanks.
At the Sportsplex, $24,204 in committed money and $208,000 in new funding will replace the air conditioning system; $32,568 in committed money will replace the pool grates; $68,642 in committed funding and $28,600 in new money will replace various mechanical pool components; and $40,000 will upgrade the waterslide.
At city hall, the branch will use $85,759 in committed funding to replace the 35-year-old boiler; $6,405 in carry-forward money will support exterior renovations; $10,651 in committee funding will support restoring the roof; and, $29,237 in committed money and $75,000 in new funding will renovate the building’s interior.
Also, $35,000 will upgrade the fire pump controller and $35,000 will replace the aging water service line on Fairford Street West.
Parks and rec will use $32,853 in committed funding and $40,000 in new funding to support the community capital grant program for groups that want to pursue projects at city-owned venues or on city-owned land.
Furthermore, the branch will use $419,097 in committed money and $250,000 in new money to purchase park amenities for the new joint-use school on South Hill, which is expected to open this fall.
At the Cultural Centre, $14,886 in committed money will replace the cooling system; $20,000 in committed funding will address structural repairs in the basement; $9,628 in carry-forward cash will help repaint the Mae Wilson sign and refasten the marquee to the wall; $25,000 will restore the roof; $60,510 in carry-forward money will install fall protection safety systems; and $75,000 will support restoring and repainting the theatre ceiling.
At the Yara Centre, $15,000 will support mechanical upgrades, while $869,685 will replace the turf, including adding permanent football lines to reflect the building’s current use and attract other events.
