A solitary canoeist has been given at least another three-year lease on its journey through the wilds of Martensville’s Kinsmen Park.
Martensville City Council agreed at a meeting on Tuesday, October 5 to keep a sculpture, entitled ‘Paddle Your Own Canoe’, by Saskatchewan artist Kevin Quinlan in its current location for the foreseeable future.
The sculpture, made of steel reinforcement bars (rebar), portrays a solo canoeist in the act of paddling his craft. It is located in Kinsmen Park on the banks of a storm water reservoir.
The sculpture was installed on a concrete base in 2018 after a three-year lease agreement was reached between the City of Martensville and the artist. The agreement included annual payments of $1500 per year for 2018-2020. The agreement also included options to extend the lease or for the City to purchase the sculpture for $25,000, with the previous lease payments credited to the purchase price.
In a report to the October 5 council meeting, Martensville Recreation and Community Services Director Ted Schaeffer said the artist has indicated he would like to see the sculpture remain in Kinsmen Park, and is open to either a renewed lease agreement or full purchase by the City.
Martensville City Councillor Jamie Martens said the artwork is a “perfect fit” for the park in its current location.
“It really looks like it belongs there,” said Martens. “I would like to see it continue where it is because it adds a nice touch to the park.”
She said she favours extending the current lease for another three years and exploring the option of outright purchase of the sculpture when that lease expires.
Councillors Spencer Nikkel and Darren MacDonald agreed the sculpture should remain.
Councillors directed City Administration to determine whether the purchase price of the sculpture could be included in the City’s 2022 capital budget, due to be drafted later this fall.
Council will vote on whether to extend the three-year lease or purchase the sculpture at a future council meeting.