MAYORS REPORT

I am certain, all of you remember David and Goliath. The story is told of a contest between a much smaller and weaker opponent, David, facing a much larger and stronger opponent, Goliath.

Today we, the council, are feeling like David!! We have been talking with Canada Post, requesting a post office for the District. This is known as a dealer post office, and would be in the District office building, maintained by the office staff. Not only would this allow for our own mail delivery, but this would also get the District it’s own Postal code, which I am sure, many of you have encountered problems in various ways by having a district address, but no postal code.

So, we are asking for your help. You will have received a brief survey from Garry Huntington. We ask that you take 3 mins to complete and return. We are also asking that if any of you have any contacts that could help make this happen, please reach out to them or pass the contact names on to the district office.

As you remember, the end result of the mentioned contest, David did win!

From our family to yours, we would like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas Season and a Happy close to the end of 2022.

Merry Christmas

Rick Pattison

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Council invites everyone to enjoy the Fireworks Show

Sunday, January 1, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

@ the Katepwa Point Provincial Park

The District Office will be closed for staff training on the following days:

Wednesday, December 14 - AFTERNOON

Thursday, December 15 - MORNING

If you require immediate assistance, please contact

Maintenance Staff at

306 331 9318 or 306 660-7580

The District Apologizes for any Inconvenience.

Katepwa Trans Canada Trail - 2023 Calendars

This is the last week to order your Katepwa Lake Trans Canada Trail calendars for Christmas.

Simply send an email to ciwalsh@myaccess.ca and tell us how many you would like to order. We will reply with payment and pickup info. Calendars are $25 each.

You will also be able to pick up at the Lions Craft Sale on December 11th from 1 to 4 at the Katepwa Library.

We are thankful for your support which allows us to maintain, operate and improve your Trail.

Echo Valley Provincial Park Winter Activities

Skate the Park is back! 800 m skate loop in Aspen Campground – The cost is $10 daily park pass for vehicle or if you have a 2022 Annual Park Pass they are valid until March 31/23.

• There will be a warm up shelter available out at the Skating loop as well as in visitor center

• 800 m of Christmas lights along the entire perimeter of the skating loop

Echo Valley Bark Park – a Dog Park is located along Aspen hiking trail accessible through Morning View Campground, the cost is $10 daily park pass for vehicle or, if you have a 2022 Annual Park Pass they are valid until March 31/23

There is a kids outdoor Ninja warrior course – next to the visitor center – 100’ zip line, bouldering wall, ninja slackline obstacles!

January 21, 2023 - learn to ski event and ski/snowshoe relay event

January 27, 2023 – Engelheim bus tour from Regina to Skate the Park

Winter camping is available:

• 3 heated Yurts available to book on Sask Parks reservation site

• 5 winter camping sites for trailers or tenting

Snowshoe rentals are available at the visitor center with trail maps

Interpretive programing Friday/Saturday beginning in January, illuminating snowshoe hikes and animal safari snowshoe hike

Groomed cross country ski trails available once sufficient snow, across from main campground entrance – Cost $10 daily park pass for vehicle or if you have a 2022 Annual Park Pass they are valid until March 31/23.

SOUND BATH OFFERING

The winter solstice holds significance across a variety of cultures, as it signals the changing of the seasons, with that in mind we are pleased to host this, in-person offering in the Katepwa Library led by Angelle Potter of Cyan Wellness on the evening of December 21, 2022 at 7:00pm, where we will (re)kindle the inner soul. We are transitioning towards Winter, the coldest season that has the shortest daylight hours, before the days begin to emerge back to warmth and to the light returning.

Winter is a time of rest. A time to allow the rejuvenation of body and mind. This time of year is a time where ideas may make themselves known if we allow them the opportunity, ready to be brought into fruition when Spring comes. We hope this session will help to take you to a place of deep rest.

You will be slowly guided out at the end and we will spend some time grounding our energy leaving you feeling relaxed and settled.

Please follow the link below to book your spot for the evening.

District of Katepwa Office

Monday to Friday
9:30am to Noon & 1:00pm to 3:30pm

KATEPWA LIBRARY HOURS
Monday - Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.

PROPERTY TAXES DUE DECEMBER 31, 2022

Thank you to all of you who have paid your property taxes! Payments can be made by cheque, cash, online or etransfer. If you are using the etransfer as your method of payment, please note which property you are paying for and what the Roll # is and send to katepwapayments@sasktel.net. This way we know which property to pay. Also, if you have an address change or a telephone number change, we need you to provide that to the office as soon as possible.

Anyone wishing to pay in person at the office must do so by noon December 23, 2022. After that, there is mail slot on the side of the entrance door for after-hours drop-offs.

If mailing a cheque for your payments the envelope must be date stamped by the Post Office on December 31 to avoid a penalty.

DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE

For the safety of others, please ensure your dog is securely fastened so they are not able to roam at will, and ensure they are leashed if you are taking them out for a walk. Please be that dog owner who picks up after your pet! We really like those dog owners!!

STREET LIGHT OUTAGES
To report a street light outage, please feel free to contact SaskPower at 1-888-757-6937. When you call, you will be provided with a tracking number. You can also report a street light outage by going to the following link: https://www.saskpower.com/accounts-and-services/service-requests/report-trouble/report-streetlight-troubles

SNOW REMOVAL

We kindly ask for residents to move any vehicles or personal items on the street or municipal property to their property. The crew need to be able to fully and effectively clear the streets.

In or to do so, they need full range of motion with equipment and the entire street to be clear of all objects. We need to work together to make this happen!

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

Bylaw Reminders:

Please remember to remove any items that have encroached onto public property.

Bylaw No. 2-2019 A Bylaw of the District of Katepwa to Regulate the Operation of Vehicles regarding long term parking on municipal property will be addressed. If you receive a letter from the District it is because you have been identified as a possible owner of items on municipal property, we would encourage you to move any items as the bylaw officer will be out doing inspections and any items found on District property may be towed.

In 2019, the District of Katepwa passed Bylaw No. 2-2019 A Bylaw of the District of Katepwa to Regulate the Operation of Vehicles. For your information, this bylaw was updated as a result of several complaints regarding the storage of vehicles, boats, trailers, lifts etc., on District land which in some cases is directly adjacent to homeowner’s properties. It causes maintenance issues, potential liability issues and can become an eyesore. Also, in the District of Katepwa Zoning Bylaw, all residential lots should have 2 off street parking stalls per dwelling unit.

Please ensure all vehicles are stored off district land and your personal vehicles, boats, trailers, campers are parked within your yard. Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.

16. VEHICLES ON PUBLIC RESERVE, ETC.
a.) No person may operate or park a vehicle on any area
designated as Public Reserve etc.
b.) The provisions of Subsection (a) shall not apply to
maintenance vehicles or vehicles using a designated parking
area.
***THE DISTRICT MAY REMOVE ANY AND ALL OBJECTS THAT ARE IN CONTRAVENTION OF THIS BYLAW WITHOUT ANY WARNING***



Bylaw Enforcement:
It is best practice if parties can work out their dispute or challenge before involving the bylaw officer. The complainant must take some responsibility and this is done by filling out a form at the office or online www.katepwabeach.ca

The complainant is anonymous. It is hoped people will do the best job possible keeping their property status in good standing for their neighbors and the community.

Calling Lakes District Planning Commission (CLDPC)

On November 8, 2022 at the Calling Lakes District Planning Commission (CLDPC) administrator Richelle Haanstra organized a presentation by Dr Peter Leavitt on the topic of water quality in the Qu’Appelle River system.

Dr Peter Leavitt is the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change and Society, Co-Director of University of Regina’s Institute of Environmental Change and Society, and fellow of the Royal Society of Canada’s Academy of Science.

In his presentation, Dr. Leavitt noted that compared to northern lakes, the Qu’Appelle lakes have always been green to some extent. However, using fossil records from lake sediment samples, his research team has shown that modern conditions are much worse than the historical conditions in many prairie lakes.

For example, Pasqua Lake contains 400% to 600% more cyanobacteria now than it did in the mid-1880’s. The timing of the changes matches increased urban pollution and increased nutrient loading resulting from agricultural fertilizers.

In keeping with our interest to preserve and protect the natural environment of the Qu’Appelle Valley, the CLDPC will continue to educate our members on matters related to water quality.

Murdoch MacPherson

Calling Lakes District Planning Commission

KATEPWA LAKE TRANS CANADA TRAIL

Christmas is a wonderful time but can be stressful. We have a great suggestion! Take a walk. A walk can boost your mood, increase your creativity, burn off calories, promote better heart health, strengthen your muscles, reduce your risk of diabetes, help you sleep and boost your immunity.

We have already had tons of snow so be sure to watch for ice and wear footwear with lots of grip. With safety in mind, a new crosswalk has been installed and we haven’t forgotten our furry friends! Ten dog stations have been added to help keep the Trail clean for all.

Santa’s elves have been working hard to stay ahead of the snow. These volunteers are amazing!

Your Trail committee is grateful for the support of the community! Together we can work to improve the physical and mental health and well being of Katepwa residents. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

See you on the TRAIL!!!!

The Calling Lake Ecomuseum worked hard for the water this year and we had fun along the way. Here we are at the Fort Qu’Appelle Lions parade on July 1, 2022 handing out wetland seed kits.

We are very impressed that SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipality Association) is working on a wetland handbook. Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada without a wetland policy. Thank you District of Katepwa – Administrator Gail Sloan and myself will be sitting on this committee to ensure wetlands are valued for the flood protection and water purification that they provide to our valley communities and our waters in the lakes.

We continue to monitor and speak up when the Regina Discharge Water plant commits permit violations that affect water quality in the lakes.

If you want to join this water walk and have a bit of fun – reach out to us at 306 539 6903 or follow us on FaceBook Calling Lakes Ecomuseum.

Aura Lee MacPherson,

Chair of Calling Lakes Ecomuseum

Feeding wildlife may seem like an enjoyable way to connect with nature, but it can often lead to serious problems for species like squirrels, raccoons, deer and bears.

Wild animals who get used to a hand-out will often take the easy route despite ample natural foods being available – even in urban areas.

Although it might seem harmless and cute to feed the wildlife these activities can lead to increased habituation in urban areas.

Occasionally when properties are not occupied on a permanent basis, garbage cans do not need to be regularly emptied and can be missed - The maintenance staff and the Office have red flags available at the shop that can be attached to your garbage can to be sure they are emptied, the idea is that when a resident has garbage for pick up, they flip out the red flag and the maintenance crew know to pick up. If you would like to obtain one of these flags please phone or email the District Office and we can arrange for you to have one.

RECYCLING

Blue bins are located at the Decommissioned Landfill site by the Katepwa Golf Course, Sandy Beach at Grove Avenue near the park, and South Katepwa just past Berry Hill road turnoff. If the bins are full, please contact the District Office.

Please break down cardboard boxes. DO NOT RECYLE Construction materials, garbage, glass and Styrofoam.

If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.

SEPTIC SERVICES
For septic service, please contact:

• C & R Septic (306)332-4055

• Lakeside Septic (306)332-5833

• Quality Septic (306)332-6000

ATV & SNOWMOBILE REMINDER
The District wants to remind all operators of ATV’s that it is illegal to trespass on private property.
Please stay off any trails on private land unless you have permission from the property owner.
Many landowners, who give special permission for snowmobilers to ride a club trail on their property during the winter, do not what anyone on their land in other seasons. If ATV trespassing occurs, it can mean permanent closure of a trail by the landowner.
Please remember the hills are privately owned. Climbing hills, be it with a vehicle, quad or snowmobile leaves a permanent scar on the land.

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.


Stay safe, stay healthy and take care.